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HISTORY 



ST. LAWRENCE AND FRANKLIN 

COUNTIES, NEW YORK, 



EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



J- 
FRANKLIN B. ttOUGH, A. M, M. D, 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 




ALBANY: 

LITTLE & CO., 53 STATE STREET. 

1853. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by 

FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, 

In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Northern District of New 

York. 






f 






MUNSEII., PEINTER, 
ALBANY, 



PREFACE. 



The interest which was manifested, in a lectui'e delivered in December, 
1851, at OgdensburghjOn the early history of the county, led to the belief 
that the subject was one that commended itself to the attention of the citi- 
zens generally,and induced the collection of the materials herewith offered 
to the public. To the numerous persons who have expressed an interest 
in the work, and in various ways aided in promoting it, our sincere 
thanks are tendered; but an attempt to enumerate those from whom 
facts and verbal statements were received, woi^ be impossible. To 
the Hon. Henry S. Randall, secretary of state, and Mr. Archibald Camp- 
bell, his deputy, are we indebted, for access to the voluminous data 
which our state archives afford, and aid in procuring many facts not 
elsewhere existing. Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan has been of especial service, 
in directing our attention to various sources of information ; and Dr. T. 
Romeyn Beck, in the loan of volumes relating to our subjects of investi- 
gation. To Messrs. James H. Titus and A. O. Brodie, of New York, 
and to Henry E. Pierrepout, Esq., of Brooklyn, are our acknowledg- 
ments due, for materials in aid of the work ; as they are also to Dr. 
Amasa Trowbridge, of Watertown, and P. S. Stewart, Esq., of Carthage. 
The sketches from which most of the wood engravings were made, 
were, with the exceptions of the views of Gouverneur and Potsdam, 
drawn by Miss Levantia J. Woolworth, of Turin. 

To Elijah B. Allen, president of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam 
Boat Company, and Mr. T. P. Chandler, president of the Northern Rail 
Road Company, are we especially indebted, for facilities in collecting 
materials, and to the following citizens, for direct aid, and written me- 
moranda, used in these pages, viz: the Hon. Messrs. Henry Van Rensse- 
laer, John Fine, David C. Judson, Preston King, Jas. G. Hopkins, Smith 
Stilwell and Bishop Perkins; the Rev. Messrs. L. M. Miller, J. P. Jen- 
nings and H. R. Peters; to Drs, S. N. Sherman and A. Tyler; and to 
Messrs. A. B. James, James C. Barter, Wm. E. Guest, A. C. Brown, L. 
Hasbrouck, B. H. Vary, H. F. Lawrence and R. G. Pettibone, of Og- 
densburgh; D. W. Church and C. Ford, of Morristown; D. W. Baldwin 
and A. M. Church, of Rossie ; H. D. Smith, Esq., C. Rich and Hon. E. 
Dodge, of Gouverneur; Dr. D. Clark, Rev. R. Pettibone and Messrs. M. 



IV PREFACE. 

Thatcher, J. L. Russell, Geo. S. WinsloVv, F. Wood and I. R. Tupper, 
of Canton; E. A. Dayton, of Columbia village; I. Ogdeu, of Wadding- 
ton ; Hon. Wm. A. Dart, L. and W. L. Knovvles, S. Raymond, Wm. H. 
Wallace, J. Blaisdell, B. G. Baldwin, Rev. I. Allen, E. W. Foster, W. 

M. Hitchcock, and Rev. Andrews, of Potsdam; L. C. Yale, of Noi'- 

folk; Rev. W. Whitfield, of Pierrepont; Rev. O. M. Moxley, of Parish- 
ville ; Hon. H. Horton, Col. Charles L. Schlatter, F. Pellitier, S. C. F. 
Thorndike, A. B. Parmelee, G. Parker, Dr. E. Man, Dr. T. R. Powell, 
J. H. Jackson, U. D. Meeker, R. G. Foote,' G. C. Cocton and Rev. A. 
Parmelee, of Malone ; J. C. Spencer, of Fort Covington ; A. Fulton, ot 
Hogansburgh; and Rev. F. Marcoux, of St. Regis; and not least because 
last, to the several editors of the St. Lawrence Republican, Ogdensburgh 
Sentinel, The Laborer, Canton Independent, Potsdam Courier, St. Law- 
rence Journal, Franklin Gazette and Frontier Palladium,' are our cordial 
thanks tendered, for the kind attention they have bestowed upon the 
enterprise. 

The indulgence of the reader is solicited towards the typographical 
errors, that must unavoidably occur among so many names and dates; 
and the assurance may be received, that such statements only are given, 
as are believed to be f^cts. It is at all times a delicate task to write 
upon subjects of history relating to those living, or about which many of 
the readers must know more than the writer. How nearly truth has 
been attained, the reader must decide. It has been our aim to be strictly 
impartial; to injure the feelings or the interests of none*: to do justice 
to the resoui'ces of the country, and to the memories of those whose 
acts make up our history. Many links in the chain of events are want- 
ing, and the data from which history is derived, are daily becoming lost. 
It has been our aim to rescue from oblivion the incidents that attended 
the feeble beginnings and early struggles of a district of country ;Which 
a combination of filvoring causes is destined to place high in rank of 
wealth and importance ; and if our efforts shall in any degree tend to 
this end, by making known our resources and our advantages, a promi- 
nent object which has been constantly before us, will have been attained. 

FRANKLIN B. HOUGH. 

Albany, February 7, 1853. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

ABORIGINAL, FREWCH AND ENGLISH HISTORY. 

Traces of ancient occupancy-Early discoveries-Journals of voyages-Found- 
ing of mission at la Presentation-Memoir of Picquet-Isle Royal fortified- 
Its seige and surrender- Account of Oswegatchie tribe, : . . ... 17 

CHAPTER II. 

ST. REGIS. 

Its sitaation-Origin-Labors Of Father Gordon, a Jesuit-Legend of the bell 
-Capture of Deerfield-Their action in the revolution-Treaties of various 
Indian tribes-Account of the Seven Nations of Canada-Their proceedings 
previous to the treaties-Doings at the first treaty-Account of subsequent 
treaties-Part taken in the war-Great mortality-^Internal organization- 
Present condition— Names of places— Lives of several Indian chiefs, . . no 

CHAPTER III. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTIES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC. 
Original petition for organization of St. Lawrence county-^Act of incorpora- 
tion-Acts relating to the erection and removal of site of public buildings- 
Act incorporating Franklin county— Memoranda from county records, 204 

CHAPTER IV. 

HISTORY OF THE LAND TITLES. 

Tendency to spread of settlements after the Revolution-Early action of legis- 
lature for sale of lands— Resolutions of land commissioners— Sale of "ten 
towns '-Macomb's purchase-The islands-Titles of the several towns- 
Gospel and School lots-Oldjtoljtary purchase— Account of first survevs- 

^""^^"ts, ^, y^gg 

CHAPTER V. 

ORGANIZATION^D ^SETTLEMENT OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS. 

List of towns in ft. Lawrence county-Details and incidents relating to each- 
Lists of supervisors-Memoranda from town records— Religious societies- 
List of towns in Franklin county, with details, . ! . . . ! . |^ 

CHAPTER VI. 

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS-THE PRESS-HISTORY OF ACADEMIES. 

Medical societies -Benevolent societies -Lyceums-Irish relief-Religious 
associations-Societies for mutual benefit-^Masons-Odd Fellows-Rechab- 



VI' CONTENTS. 

ites — Sons of Temperance — Protective unions — Agricultural societies — 
Insurance companies — Banks — Account of the local press — The several 
academies, 517 

CHAPTER VII. 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, STATISTICS, ETC. 

Proposed improvement in navigation of St. Lavs^rence — Improvements of the 
smaller rivers' — Rail road history from the beginning — Statistics of Northern 
rail road — Potsdam and Watertown rail road — Telegraphs — Steam boats — 
State roads — Plank roads — Statistics of population — Pensioners in 1840 — 
Custom districts — Post offices — Lists of civil officers, 554 , 

CHAPTER VIIL 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Russell Attwater, Thomas B. Benedict, John Boyd, James Campbell, D. W. 
Church, Thomas J. Davies. John Fine, S. Foote, D. Ford, N, Ford, Asa 
Hascall, Louis Hasbrouck, Rosvsfell Hopkins, H. Horton, D. C. Judson, R. 
McChesney, D. A. Ogden, David Parish, George Parish, H. Powell, B. 
Raymond, A. Richards, J. Rosseel, J. W. Smith, G. Smith, J. B. Spencer, 
R. Townsend, W. H. Vining, H. S. Waterhouse, Joseph York, Silas 
Wright, 584 

CHAPTER IX. 

EVENTS OF THE WAR OF 1812-1815. 

First military organizations — Events at Ogdensburgh in 1812 — Affair at Tous- 
sant island — Attempt of the enemy in October — Descent upon Brockville — 
Capture of Ogdensburgh — Details of Wilkinson's expedition, 617 

CHAPTER X. 

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-1840. 

Causes — Destruction of steamer Caroline — Of steamer Sir Robert Peel — This 
act avowed — Affair at the Wind Mill, near Prescott — Official returns of 
killed and wounded — Outrages upon American steam boats on the St. Law- 
rence — Affair of the schooner Weeks — Trial and sentence of prisoners, with 
lists, 656 

CHAPTER XI. 

GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, METEOROLOGY, ETC. 

Extent of several rock formations — Mines and metalic veins — List of mineral 
localities — Meteorological notes, and memoranda of natural history, . . 675 

APPENDIX. 

Proclamation of Gov. Colden, announcing the surrender of Fort Levi — Account 
of, by Knox — Superstitions — Note on Iroquois language — Biographical note 
on Stephen Van Rensselaer — On Hezekiah B. Pierrepont — Additional notes 
on Madrid, : ► , , , 704 

Index, , ....,,, 717 



INTRODUCTION. 




EFORE entering upon the history of St. Lawrence and 
.Franklin Counties, it may not be amiss to glance at the con- 
dition of the country at the time of its settlement, that the 
difficulties of forming the first beginning, and the embarrass- 
ments which delayed their growth, may be duly appreciated. 
The details of the minor events that make up the annals of rural 
districts, may want the dignity of history, but not the interest, especially 
to the citizens of these localities. 

At the time when settlements began, here, the river front of Canada, 
for most of the distance above Montreal, had been settled about twenty 
years, principally by tories, refugees from the States, at the time of the 
revolution. These were known as U. E. Loyalists,* and many of them 
suffered extremely from the privations incident to their forlorn condition, 
as great numbers fled precipitately from their homes, leaving their 
property to be confiscated, and although the British government gave 
them lands, and in various ways assisted them in settling on the St. 
Lawrence, yet there remained many inconveniences which time alone 
could remedy. In the school of adversity they had learned the bitter- 
ness of want, and were more willing to extend aid to others, from having 
felt its need, and they appeared much gratified when they learned that 
the south shore was to be settled. 

It is a well known fact, that permanent settlements were made at an 
early day along the St. Lawi-ence, at several places, and the features of 
that majestic river were familiar to these enterprising explorers, before 
New England had a white inhabitant. With an assiduity that does credit 
to their sagacity and forethought, they began at once the labor of conciH- 
ating the friendship, and securing the interests of the savages, that had 
previously roamed through the forest in quest of game, or in stealthy 
midnight marches in search of some unsuspecting victim of revenge. 
The few traces which we possess of aboriginal occupation, bespeak a 

* U. E.— United English. < 



X INTRODUCTION. 

settlements diminished more rapidly than they had previously grown. 
The channel of trade down the St. Lawrence, which was fast becoming 
established was broken up, and the exigencies of the period, gave 
origin to the belief, that other avenues to market, independent of the 
casualties of war should be established, nor was this abandoned until 
by the most indefatigable exertions under repeated discouragements, 
the great want has been supplied, and there has not been in its history 
a period, when the future was opening more pleasantly, than the present, 
inviting the investment of capital and industry, with the promise of rich 
returns. 

In tracing the birth and infancy of our settlements, through the weak- 
ness, and perhaps the waywardness of inexperienced youth, up to the 
maturity of manhood, it has been our uniform desire to render impartial 
justice to the merits of those to whom belongs the ci-edit of having met 
and overcome the difficulties of anew country, and through a long course 
of years, with hope deferred, have waited and labored for the accomplish- 
ment of those objects which were calculated to secure a lasting benefit 
to the country. About 1818, the first attempt was made to establish the 
dairy interest, a branch of agriculture which will, to a considerable de- 
gree, supersede every other, as the broken nature of the surface, in towns 
underlaid by primary rock, renders pasturage the most profitable use to 
which much of the land can be applied. The direct access to the mar- 
kets, at all times, which is now enjoyed, enables the farmer to avail him- 
self of the calls of the market, and derive every advantage that has 
hitherto been felt only by those living in the vicinity of large cities. Al- 
though butter and cheese are required for consumption by millions, yet 
but a comparatively small part of our .country is capable of producing 
them. The country that yields these articles is mainly limited to the 
northern border of the Union; the climate of the central and southern 
portions not being adapted to the purpose. This species of husbandry 
likewise possesses the elements of perpetuity within itself, from the very 
small amount of the produce of fields that are taken away. Of other 
sources of wealth our counties possess an enviable share, when these 
resources come to be known and appreciated, they can not but be im- 
proved. 

The great and increasing amount of freight business done on the 
Northern railroad, and the corresponding addition to the commerce of 
the river and lakes to meet this road, bear evidence that the public are 
beginning to realize the advantages of the communication, and to reap 
the benefits to be derived from it. 

The Canadian system of rail roads in progress, is destined to exert a 



INTRODUCTION. XI 

favorable iufluence upon the prospects of this section of the state, by di- 
recting the tide of travel and business between the seaboard and the 
great west, through our midst, and the commercial interests of the country, 
with whom economy of time and money are leading questions, will not 
be long in finding this as one of the most direct and eligible avenues. 

There at present exists a strong probability, that the desirable link 
between the Northern rail road and that from Rome to Cape Vincent, 
will be shortly built, which must tend greatly to promote the growth and 
wealth of the district through which it will pass, by placing it in com- 
munication with the markets. The enterprise which has originated and 
sustained these and other measures, tending to develop to the extent of 
their capacity, the resources of the country, may perhaps be traced to the 
restless progressive spirit characteristic of New England, from whence 
the mass of our population is derived. 

Had any accidental circumstances thrown the fortunes of the war ot 
1758-1760, into the opposite scale, giving to the French the ascendency, 
this district might have continued as it begun, inhabited by a French pop- 
ulation, and exhibiting that stationary and neglected aspect still seen in 
their settlements below Montreal; unless, perhaps, the commercial 
wants of the country might have called forth the expenditure of ex- 
traneous capital, in the opening of lines of communication. Thus the 
events of a remote historical period have modified the character of all 
that follow, and with those who take a pleasure in watching the relations 
of cause and effect, there can be nothing more instructive than observing 
how necessarily dependent upon the past are the events of the future. 

The claims of histoiy upon the attention of those who seek probabili- 
ties in precedents, is therefore d.TCCt; and of an importance proportion- 
ate to the proximity of time and place, rather than the magnitude of the 
events. The mighty changes in nations and empires, and the records of 
the virtues and vices of mankind which adorn or disgrace the pages of 
ancient history, are instructive as showing the lights and shades of hu- 
man charactei-, but they have to a great degree lost their practical bearing 
from their dissimilarity from existing conditions. Their consequences 
remain, but so interwoven in the fabric" of our civilization, as to be in- 
separable. The nearer we approach the present, the more obvious are 
the effects of causes, and there are few prominent events of American 
history, which have not left their operation upon existing conditions, and 
between which may be traced the direct relation' of cause and con- 
sequence. 

In pursuing the history of any district, nothing is more obvious than the 
fact, that causes apparently the most trivial, often produce the most last- 



Xll INTRODUCTION. 

ing effects; and hence the rnhior details of a settlement, may possess 
in reality more importance than was attached to them at the time of their 
occurrence. To borrow the figure of Macauley, " the sources of the 
noblest rivers, that spread fertility over continents and bear richly laden 
fleets to the sea, are to be soug-ht in wild and barren mountain tracts, in- 
correctly laid down in maps, and rarely visited by travelers." To extend 
this figure we may add, that the slightest causes may give direction to 
the mountain rill, and thusinflueuce the course of the river, and the con- 
sequent fertility of the country which it irrigates. The origin of our va- 
rious institutions, literary, civil, religious, and social, are especially sus- 
ceptible of receiving their future direction from causes operating at the 
time of origin; and hence ai'ises the importance of knowing these data, 
to be able to appreciate in its various bearings existing relations and 
agencies. 

If this had been done in times past, an explanation would have been 
afforded of many events which otherwise appear obscure. The unap- 
preciated facts of the present, are too apt to pass unrecoi'ded and un- 
heeded, until at some future time, their value becomes known in their 
want. The probabilities of the future, both with individuals and com- 
munities, are derived from the past. By comparing existing facts or cir- 
cumstances, with similar ones that preceded them, of which the results 
are known, we infer the probable effects that will ensue in the case be- 
fore us. To enable us to do this successfully, the past must be known, 
and thus history becomes our index to the future. By it we ai-e enabled 
to shun the errors of others by knowing the consequences which ensue 
from given causes, and to gain those ends in which others have failed, 
by profiting from their experience. The duties of the histoi*ian have 
been beautifully summed up by another, in the following language: 
"To gather from still living witnesses, and preserve for the future annal- 
ist, the important record of the teeming and romantic past; to seize while 
yet warm and glowing, and inscribe upon the page which shall be sought 
hereafter, the bright visions of song, and fair images of story, that gild 
the gloom and lighten the sorrows of the ever present; to search all his- 
tory with a careful eye; sound all philosophy with a careful hand; ques- 
tion all experience with a fearless tongue, and thence draw lessons to 
fit us for, and light to guide us through, the shadowy but unknown 
future." 

It has been our endeavor in the following pages, to act with sfrict im- 
partiality in relation to local interests and natural advantages; to avoid 
any appearance that would lead to the suspicion that we wished to pro- 
mote any sectional or local interest, or advance the personal sectarian or 
political measures of any person or class of persons. 



INTRODUCTION. XIH 

Many subjects have been passed with a brief notice, that but from 
want of space, would have been more fully discussed, and numerous 
documents and data having a direct relation to the history of Northern 
New York, have been for the same reason entirely omitted. To this class 
belongs much relating to the events of the war, consisting of original 
letters, official despatches, and verbal statements ; but perhaps enough 
will be found to satisfy the reader that with whatever merit or wisdom 
the measures of that period were planned, their execution was attempted 
in a manner that shows either an incapacity or disinclination on the part 
of the commanding officers for their successful accomplishment. The 
latter has been often suggested, but this question belongs not to our 
inquiries. 

In coming down to a still more recent period, and giving the details 
of a movement which threatened to disturb the peace of the country, a 
difficulty was felt in relating the events of the affiiir from the different 
and often conflicting statements of the cotemporary press, and the ver- 
bal accounts of parties who acted with, or who discouraged the affairs. 
In our relation of these events, by being limited to an account of a few 
of the many acts that make up the history of the Patriot war, an oppor- 
tunity was not afforded for exhibiting the movement in the light that 
would enable otie to form a just estimate of its merits, and perhaps the 
time has not yet elapsed, when a candid opinion could be safely ex- 
pressed, without encroaching upon the reputation of some of the agi- 
tators and promoters of the scheme still living. The blood of the be- 
trayed and unfortunate youths who fell at the wind mill at Prescott, and 
who suffered the death penalty in consequence of that affair, is upon the 
hands of those who incited them to the enterprise, but from which they 
kept themselves aloof. Tlie tragic issue of this melancholy affair, like 
other and m^re recent ones of a similar class on the southern border of 
the Union, should serve as a warning beacon to guard against any move- 
ment having for its object, the forcing of our institutions upon a people 
who manifest no wish to receive them, but who, as in the above instan- 
ces, evinced a spirit of resistance, and a vindictiveness, which proved the 
sincerity of their feeling. 

It would have been pleasant, to have been able to extend the last 
chapter of the work, and especially to relate with greater detail the me- 
talic and mineral resources of these counties, which deservedly enjoy a 
high reputation for their extent and value, and which have only begun to 
be developed. An enumei-ation of localities where metalic ores have 
been found, or indications observed that lead to the belief of their ex- 
istence, would show that they are widely scattered over the primitive 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 

region, and will without doubt hereafter form a branch of industry of 
great prominence. This remark is especially applicable to the ores of 
iron. Of the minerals interesting to the man of science, and of no 
practical use, few sections afford so great a variety, or those of more 
elegance, than the western part of St. Lawrence county, and particularly 
the towns of Rossie, Gouverneur, Fowler, Edwards, and Hermon. A 
brief enumeration of these, with the towns in which they occur, is only 
given. To have specified the particular locality of each, would have been 
tedious, except to the collector. 

In the chapter of biographical notices, disappointment in not receiving 
materials where they were expected and had been promised, has de- 
prived us of the ability of inserting several, that would have made a de- 
sirable acquisition in the history of Northern New York, from the pro- 
minent and active part they took in its settlement, and in the title and 
transfer of lands, before purchased by actual settlers. This branch of 
history is one of great importance, because the duty of the annalist is 
to a great degree but to record the acts of men, and the consequences 
growing out from them. 

In collecting the details of the settlements of several towns, a consid- 
erable amount of materials were procured, which have not been used, 
consisting mostly of the names and short memoranda of the early set- 
tlers, and lists of those who first formed religious societies. 

There will probably be found some errors in what is given, as from 
necessity the statements were often drawn from memory, and hence 
liable to uncertainty. Written memoranda, and records made at the 
time of occurrence, are in all cases to be preferred to the memory, how- 
ever definite this latter may be, and this remark is equally applicable to 
every department of history. 

In a few instances, we met with those who have habitually made a 
record of passing events, and thus were able to fix with much definite- 
ness, the dates and circumstances of events which otherwise would have 
been obscure. This practice has in it that obvious utility and conve- 
nience, that commends itself to general adoption, and these memorials 
of the past lose none of their interest from age, but rather acquire new 
value in proportion as the event becomes distant. 

The reliance to be placed upon oral evidence depends upon so many 
contingencies, that it possesses every degree of probability, from absolute 
certainty to indefinite fable. The greater part of the following work re- 
lates to a period within the memory of those living, or of the generation 
immediately preceding the present. Of the occurrences half a century 
ago, the surviving witnesses who then knew most of them, have become 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

enfeebled by age, and those whose memories are most sound, were then 
young, so that between the extremes of youth and age, verbal accounts 
have begun to lose their reliability, and a few years longer would place 
them wholly beyond our reach. Traditions extending back through more 
than two generations, may as a general rule, be rejected by the historian 
as idle tales, and more liable to mislead than instruct. 

This work is submitted to the public with a consciousness of its im- 
perfections, and a desire that the reader will regard with indulgence, the 
errors and the faults which the greatest vigilance could not wholly ex- 
clude. If it shall but sei^ve to awaken an interest in the community to 
which it applies, and lead to the preservation of the data which make 
up the materials for history ; if it serves to impart an interest to locali- 
ties, by their associations with the events of the old^n time, and espe- 
cially if it serve, though but in an humble degree, to attract notice to the 
resources and the advantages which they possess, our object will have 
been attained. If it had been possible to have rendered it uniform and 
alike minute in the details, it should have been done ; but fi-om the 
omission of facts, of which no record remain, many links in the chain of 
events have been irrecoverably lost. Had this labor been attempted 
twenty years ago, it would have been possible to have rendered the early 
details more perfect. At an equal period in the future, much that ishei'e 
related, would have passed beyond recovery. ^ 



HISTORY 

OF 

ST. LAWRENCE AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



CHAPTER I. 

ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTORY. 




EAR where the Cswegatchie river mingles its Avaters 
with the St. Lawrence, in the village of Ogdeusburgh, 
^^^ may be seen the traces of a broken wall, the foundations 
of an edifice erected more than a century since by the 
Sulpitians, for the purpose of attaching to the interests of the French, 
who were then the masters of Canada, such of the Iroquois confederacy 
or Six Nations of Indians, as might be induced to conform to their reli- 
gion, and espouse their cause.* 

* Several years since, the corner stone of the building's represented at the head of this chap- 
ter was obtained in demolishing the walls. It is still preserved wllh much care by Mr. Louis 
Ha?brouck, of the viUage of Ogdensburgh, and bears the following inscription : 

In nomine -|- Dei omnipotentis 
Hide habitationi initia dedit 
Frans. Picquet 1849 

Translated, this reads as follows " Francis Picquet laid the foundation of this habitation, in 
the name of the Almighty God, in 1749." 



18 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

These buildings, or others erected on their site, were subsequently and 
for many years occupied by a British garrison, and within the memory 
of those yet living, as a court-house, jail, store, dwelling, and barracks for 
troops ; and with them commences the earliest authentic history we pos- 
sess of St. Lawrence county. 

The Aboriginal inhabitants of the country, have left a few traces of 
their occupancy, in the remains of several ancient trench enclosures and 
paintings, of which we will give as full an account as can at present be 
obtained. In the adjoining county of Jefferson, not less than fifteen 
trench enclosures have been obsei-ved; how many more may have been 
levelled by the plow without exciting a suspicion of their true nature, 
can not be known. In St. Lawrence county, at least six ai-e known to 
have existed, and perhaps more, besides localities which appear to have 
been a most favorite haunt of the red man, as evinced by the i-emains 
of his rude implements and ornaments scattered through the soil. It 
may be well to remark, that the observation made by De Witt Clinton,* 
that none of these remains occur below the level of the lake ridges, fails 
to be sustained in the instances which occur in St. Lawrence, and in seve- 
ral which occur in Jefferson counties. He attempted by this argument 
to prove the recent subsidence of the great lakes, and the modern origin 
of the Lake Ridges, which form so striking a feature connected with 
the geological structure of their borders. 

Nothing is more common than to find along the lands that skirt the 
fertile meadow bottoms which form the shores of several of the tributa- 
ries of the St. Lawrence, the broken remains of 
rude pottery, seldom sufficiently entire to enable 
one to determine the original form, and usually 
sculptured or rather impressed while in a soft 
and yielding state with various fanciful figures, 
always differing from each other in fragments 
belonging to different utensils, but possessing a 
general resemblance, which is often much like 
that of the annexed figure. The cut here insert 
ed represents an entire vessel of earthen ware 
dug up many years since in Jefferson county. 

Not unfrequently a rude resemblance to the human face is noticed on 
these fragments. The material of this terra cotta, or baked earth, is 
usually clay and coarse sand, generally well tempered and baked. 

Stone gouges for tapping maple trees ; stone chisels for skinning deer; 

* See the memoir of Mr. Climon on this subject, read before the " Literary and Philosophical 
Society of New York," and published in a pamphlet form at Albany, in 1818. 




AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 19 

arrowheads of flint, jasper, chalcedony, shale and other stone ; amulets 
and beadsof steatite, and other personal ornaments; implements of bone 
apparently used as needles, and as tools for marking inipressions upon 
the pottery; and fragments of bones and broken shells, the remains of 
.-incient feasts, indicate in broken and disconnected but intelligible lan- 
guage the pursuits of our predecessors upon our soil. 

We will here mention those places where rude traces of embankments 
indicate the site of ancient strong-holds, illy adapted to the purposes of 
modern defense, but admirably fitted for resisting the modes of attack 
as then practised. As a general rule, those points wei-e chosen which 
afforded naturally a protection upon one or more sides, as the bank of a 
stream, or the brow of a hill, leaving only defenses to be erected on the 
unprotected sides. The traces observed usually consisted, when first 
noticed, of a mound or bank of earth, surrounded by a ditch of propor- 
tionate extent, which evidently furnished the materials for the bank. 
There is reason to believe that the bank originally formed the foot of a 
palisade of timber, set upright in the ground, which, having entirely 
decayed, has left nothing but the earth remaining. In a few of the trench 
enclosures of western New York, the evidences of this are not wanting, 
for the holes which were left by the decaying of the pickets may still be 
traced. This is especially true of a work near Geneva, in Ontario county, 
which formed the last stronghold of the Senecas in the expedition of 
General Sullivan during the revolutionary war, and which owes its 
preservation entirely to the circumstance that the premises were expressly 
reserved at the time of the cession of their lands to the state, with the 
explicit understanding that it should never be brought under cultivation. 
"Here," said they, '' sleep our fathers, and they can not rest well if they 
hear the plow of the white man above them." 

In the town of Macomb, St, Lawrence county, are found the traces of 
three trench enclosures, and several places where beds of ashes mark the 
site of ancient hearths; the habitations and defences of a race, of whose 
period or history we have nothing to conjecture. One of these was on 
the farm of William Houghton, on the bank of Birch creek, and enclosed 
the premises now used as a mill-yard. It was somewhat in the form of 
a semicircle, the two ends resting on the creek, and might have enclosed 
half an acre. Every trace of the work has been long since erased by 
cultivation ; but the line which formed the bank, and the space within 
and without, still occasionally afford fragments of pottery, ashes, shells, 
and stone implements. Great numbers of these have been picked up 
and carried off by the curious; and among other articles, numbers of 
stone and earthen-ware pipes, with a short clumsy stem two or three 



20 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

inches long, and a heavy massive bowl with a small cavity, have been 
found. On an adjoining hill, now partly occupied by an orchard, traces 
of an ancient work formei-ly existed, but this has also been obliterated. 
This locality is the one mentioned in most state gazetteers as occurring 
on the premises of Captain Washburn in Gouverneur (the former occu- 
pant of the farm when the adjacent country formed a part of that town); 
but the statement that "traces of rude sculpture exist within the enclo- 
sure," which has been often copied, is incorrect. 

In the pond adjoining, there was found, many years since, a skeleton, 
said to have been of great size. 

About half a mile northeast of this, is the trace of another enclosure, 
on the farms of William P.Houghton and Josiah Sweet; but the outlines 
are so indistinct, that they could not be traced with any degree of cer- 
tainty. From what little remains, it appears to have consisted of a deep 
ditch, outside of a high bank; and it is said to have been irregularly 
semi-oval, with passages or gateways where the work was interrupted; 
and that its ends came up to a small stream, the present outlet of a ta- 
marack swamp, but the former site of a beaver meadow. The evidences 
of the latter were found in digging a ditch for drainage some time since, 
when the sticks still bearing the marks of the teeth of beavers were found 
several feet below the sui-face. 

This trench and bank could, at the author's visit, be traced about 160 
paces, which appeared to be about half of its original circuit. Its longest 
direction was from N.N.E. to S.S.W. Numerous fire beds o(;curred within 
it, and in one instance a quantity of ashes and charcoal was found _y?w 
feet below the surface. 

In a field a few rods distant, in the direction of the work last described, 
the vestiges which abound in the soil seem to indicate that there was 
once an Indian village on the site. 

On the premises of the St. Lawrence Lead Mining Company, and the 
farm of Robert Wilson, about three-fourths of a luile from the first de- 
scribed spot, is still another trace, which can still be easily made out, as 
the premises have never been plowed. In this instance the work was 
crescent-shaped, the open side being protected by a low ledge of lime- 
stone rock, and a branch which led down to a small stream, which may 
have served as a covered way to allow the inmates of the stockade to 
have access to the water. Not having been cultivated, the soil of this 
locality has not hitherto furnished any relics of interest, although it can 
scarcely fail to do so when plowed. 

This is the only work of the three in the town of Macomb, which can 
still be seen entire. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 21 

On the farm of Henry E. Holbrook, in the northeastern part of Pots- 
dam, on or near mile lot No. 10, was a remarkable trench enclosure in 
early times, but which is now entirely destroyed, except a veiy small 
portion in the public highway. It is on the road between Norfolk village 
and Raquetteville, west of the river, and half a mile from the railroad 
bridge at the latter place; and is situated on an elevated ridge of drift, in 
a commanding position, and at a point which affords a fine prospect of 
the surrounding country. The form of this work was said to have been 
semicircular, the open side resting on a swamp to the west, and several 
spaces or gateways are said to have occurred at irregular intervals. The 
ditch, which was exterior to the bank, appears to have furnished the earth 
for the bank, which was on the inside of the trench, and enclosed about 
two aci-es. Pine stumps still stand on the bank, four feet in diameter, 
which must have grown since the place was occupied, as beds of ashes 
have been found under their roots, mingled with broken earthen, flint 
arrows, and other relics of the builders. Within and without, scattered 
at irregular intervals, were found fireplaces, with charcoal, ashes, fresh- 
water shells, bones, and broken pottery, which differed in no respect 
from that found in other trench enclosures in the state. On an island in 
the vicinity, Indian graves were found. 

In the town of Massena, about half a mile west of Raquette river 
bridge, and on the western declivity of a slope near the summit of a 
dividing ridge which separates this river from Grass river, and in an open 
field which has long been cleared but never plowed, are plainly to be 
traced the outlines of a work which differs considerably from any above 
described, and which is by far the best presei-ved. Its form is irregular, 
being somewhat shaped like an ox-bow, with its open side towards Ra- 
quette river, and with numerous spaces or openings more especially on 
the southern side. The open side is in part protected by a ditch, which 
is not connected with the main work, being separated fi-om it by a con- 
siderable interval on each side. The relics furnished by the soil in this 
vicinity do not differ essentially from those of other places, being mostly 
of earthen-ware and stone. 

The summit of the ridge at this place commands an extensive and 
delightful prospect, and this vicinity must have formed a favorite haunt 
for the rude Indians who once made it their home. At no great distance 
on either side was a river abounding in fish, and affording a long naviga- 
tion with an occasional carrying place, by which they could penetrate far 
into the interior; while a few miles below them, the mighty St.Lawrence, 
with its bays and islands, afforded equal facilities for hunting, and equal 
prospects for repaying the labors of the chase and the hazards of the 
fisheries. 



22 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

If the intervening woods were cleared away, the locality in Potsdam, 
some eighteen or twenty miles distant, could be seen from this place ; and 
perhaps the two may have been occupied by parties of the same ti-ibej 
who could exchange signals by night, as the fires gleaming upon one 
summit might be easily distinguished from the other. 

The description of this enclosure, published in the third annual report 
of the Regents of the University on the condition of the State Cabinet 
is somewhat erroneous, as neither of the two works last mentioned are 
fui-iiished with bastions and angles; and accordingly the inferences there 
drawn, that it must belong to a different historical period, are without 
foundation. The stumps of immense trees, standing on the bank and in 
the ditch, indicate at least an ante-Columbian age, and probably many 
centuries have elapsed since these stations have witnessed the events for 
which they were formed. Within this enclosure are one or two slight 
eminences, which may in their day have been sufficiently high to over- 
look the pickets by which they were probably surrounded. 

In the town of Massena, not far from this work, there was found seve- 
ral years since, a pipe, formed of w hitish steatite, or soapstone, having 
on its bowl and stem curiously wrought, the figure of a serpent, with its 
head rising a little above the level of the bowl. The figure of the serpent 
has been used by savages of all nations, apparently without the know- 
ledge of each other, and this has given I'ise to the opinion that it origin- 
ated in some religious notion, and that it is symbolical of some idea inhe- 
rent in the human mind. The Egyptians represented the recuri'ing cycle 
of the yeai*, by a serpent with its tail in its mouth, and among the mounds 
of the south-west there is one which, when ti'aced in its immense pro- 
portions along the ground, represents an enormous serpent. In the in- 
stance of the pipe found in Massena, there might, or might not, have been 
something more than the amusement of a leisure hour on its formation. 
A semicircular trench, and bank, formerly existed in the town of Oswe- 
gatchie, near its western edge, and on the farm now owned by Benjamin 
Pope. A small portion of the present highway passes over it, at the 
only pai-t which is now visible, cultivation having obliterated every trace 
of it elsewhere. It was somewhat semicircular, and no natural barrier 
can be noticed as forming, with the aid of the bank and ditch, a complete 
enclosure. 

In this respect it diffei'S from others, but we are not to infer from the 
non-existence of the bank that no defensive work existed. The outline 
of this bank may be traced in the spring by the unusual verdure of the 
grass along its line, and similar spots indicate the sites of fire places, 
both within and without. An unusual abundance of stone and iearthen- 
ware fragments occurred here in former times. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



25 



On St. Regis Island, directly opposite the Indian village of that name, 
and at a point where the boundary of 1818 crossed the river, there still 
exists a barrow or sepulcliral mound. " It was excavated by Colonel 
Hawkins of the United States boundary commission, in 1818, and found 
to contain near tlie surface human bones in considerable numbers, and 
ill a good state of preservation, but at the base were found traces of fire, 
chai-coal, burned bones, and fragments of pottery, together with stone 
implements and ornaments."* 

Directly opposite to the church, on the east bank of St. Regis river, 
in the same neighborhood as the preceding, is another barrow or mound 
of somewhat similar character, which has at some period apparently 
been explored with the view of ascertaining the nature of its" contents. 
There is no tradition in the village relating to either of them, and no 
probability that they were made by the existing race of Indians. 

They doubtless date back to the era of the other earth-works above 
described, and belong to a remote period of our history, which has been 
lost. In making a canal around the rapids on the Canada shore of the 
St. Lawrence, many years since, a singular mound was dug through, 
which disclosed relics of copper and various ornaments, and among 
others a mask of the human face, in terra-cotta or earthen ware, which 
seemed to have belonged to some image. 

Opposite the village of Oak 
Point, in Elizabeth township, 
C.W., is a painting on the rock, I 
representing a canoe with thirty-five men and a cross, evidently intended 
to commemo- 
rate some event, 
and done since 
the Catholic 

missionaries 
first came to 
Canada. From 
the direction of 
the boat, it ap- 
pears that the 
party was pass- 
ing down the 
river. 

Opposite the 
village of Mor- 



* Aboriginal Monuments of New York, by E. G. Squier. Smithsonian Contributions to 
Knowledge, Vol, 2, Art. 6, page 16. 








26 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 




ristovvn, and just below 
the town of Brockville, 
are two paintings, of 
which engravings are 
here inserted. 

There is much pro- 
bability that these paint- 
ings are of compara- 
tively inodern origin. 
Indeed the Indians at 
St. Regis village pos- 
sess a vague tradition 
concei'ning them, vv^hich 
they related briefly as follows : 

" A long time ago the Caughnawaga Indians were going west on a war- 
like expedition, and made these paintings on their way up. They were 
all killed. The number of marks denote the number of the party." 

The cross, the emblem of the Christian faith, and especially held in 
reverence by the Catholics, indicates with sufficient clearness, the modern 
origin of the sketches. Perhaps they may form a connecting link in the 
chain of events that occurred under the Fi-ench dynasty, or perhaps they 
were traced from mere idle curiosity, or to pass away the tedium of a 
leisure hour. In either event they are interesting as examples of the 
symbolical records used by savages, to presei've the memory of events 
or of the pastimes and tastes of a race which is fast passing away. The 
sketch near Oak point was apparently done in vermillion, while the 
others appear to have been made with ochre. All of these are less 
brilliant than when first observed by the whites, and will in a few years 
be entirely obliterated. 

The shores of Black lake, in the town of Morristown, between the 
village of Hammond, and The Narrows, contain traces of paintings 
of an obscure character. A deer di-awn very rudely, about eight inches 
high; and seven figures in two groups, was at a short distance from the 
form ex*. 

The deer was the emblem or mark in use among the Iroquois to desig- 
nate one of their bands, and from the figures we give in om* chapter on 
titles, it will be seen that it was in use among the Oswegatchies. It is 
thei-efore quite probable that this may be very modern, and its origin 
may doubtless be ascribed to some incident connected with that clan. 

The block on which the deer was di'awn, is preserved in the col- 
lections of the state, at their histoi'ical and antiquarian museum at 
Albany, 




AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 27 

The following sketch represents the groups 
of human beings on the rocks at this place, |^^^^ 
drawn in the conventional form adopted 
among the savages. 

Near the village of Edwardsville, or The Narrows, in the town of 
Morristown, on a hill a little east of that place, there was .formerly found 
upon plowing, traces of an Indian village, as evinced by a i-ow of hearths 
with burned stones, ashes, charcoal, shells, and fragments of bones. 
These were some Ittle distance below the surface, and extended for a 
quarter of a mile. 

The land here was excellent for thei'aising of corn, and the lake then, 
doubtless as now, abounded in fish, which would have made this an 
eligible i-esidence for the rude Indian. Who? When? and in what 
numbers? are questions which echo only can answer. 

With these exceptions we have no knowledge that any part of these 
counties had been inhabited, or the lands cultivated by any except the 
nomadic class, which still occasionally visits the hunting ground of his 
fathei'S. 

There are no Indian fields, no traces of ancient occupancy by a foreign 
people, or evidence that the soil has ever been trod by the foot of man, 
except by a rude hunter in pursuit of his game. In some of the central 
and western parts of the state, in the fields of Iroquois, where that staple 
article of food had been cultivated from time immemorial, the hillocks 
on which it had been planted were distinctly to be traced at the time 
when possession was taken by the whites, but nothing of this has been 
observed in the northern part of the state. 

The traces of ancient defensive works of which we have given an 
account, extend into Canada, and several of them occur in the townships 
of Augusta, Williamsburgh, Osnabruck, &c. 

One of these is about seven and a half miles northwest of Prescott, 
C. W., on a farm occupied by Mr. Tarp. It is situated on a peninsula 
of elevated land, in the midst of a swamp, and accessible only by a rtar- 
row neck which bears the trace of an ancient defensive woi-k. The 
land within this, is eighteen or twenty feet above the level of the sur- 
rounding swamp, and in two or three places are the traces of mounds 
of slight elevation, but which might have overlooked the surrounding 
country to a considerable distance. Within the breastwork at the isth- 
mus, are lines of slight elevation, which mark the places of former 
dwelling ( ?) ; and in the soil has been found great quantities of the i-e- 
mains of rude pottery, which indicate the attainments which the tenants 
of this strong hold had acquired in this indispensible and primitive art. 

The greatest quantity was found from fifteen to eighteen inches below 



28 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the surface, and was accompanied Ity implements of bone, flint, green- 
stone, the bones of animals, that had doubtless been taken in the chase, 
and shells of fresh water molusca. 

Among other relics was a flattened boulder of hornblende or gneiss, 
both sides of which had been rendered smooth and concave by the rub- 
bing of stone implements, and which might have served the purpose of 
a mortar for grinding corn. Boulders of immense size are often found 
in Jefferson county, and elsewhere, having shallow depressions upon 
their surface, apparently having been used as grindstones for sharpening 
and forming the rude stone implements of the rude people who once 
occupied the counti-y. 

The breastwork at the entrance of the enclosure above described, had 
at two places, openings about eighteen feet wide, which probably served as 
a passage way for the inmates, and the bank is evidently the foot of a pa- 
lisade of timber, set upright in the ground. The whole must have formed 
in its day a strong hold, easy of defense against any mode of attack then 
possessed. 

Near Spencerville, is another trace of an ancient defensive work, and 
in the township of Augusta, in the second concession, still another. 

At the latter is said to have been found an ornament of gold, but the 
account of this is so uncertain and obscure, that it is worthy of but little 
credit. 

Several of the above works have been surveyed and examined, by 
William E. Guest, Esq., of Ogdensburgh, who has transmitted an account 
of them to the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, for publication. 

At one of these works was found the broken portion of an immense 
tooth, supposed to have been that of a walrus. Both ends were broken, 
and it had been perforated as if to be worn as an amulet. This, with 
the copper implements found in this section, indicate that the commerce 
or travels of this people, whoever they were, must have extended fi'om 
the seaboard to the copper regions of Lake Supei-ior, which was doubt- 
less the source from which our aboriginal predecessors derived that 
nietal. 

To leave the period of the buried past, through which the stream of 
time has coursed its way, without leaving more to mark its path than 
the scattered relics and obscure traces, which tell of nothing, but 
that something was, and is not, we approach the period of authentic 
history ; and here we find many links wanting in the chain of events, 
which might have enabled us to trace the progress of the discovery, and 
the setdement and the changes of dominion, which our country has 
undergone. Tradition relates, that the Adiroudacs, and the Iroquois, or 
the nations of Canada, and those of New York, in ancient times, waged 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 29 

long and bloody wars for the supremacy of the soil, and doubtless many 
a stealthy march and midnight massacre, had they but had their historian, 
would have made our district classic to those who dwell with interest 
upon the recital of scenes of blood. It has been aptly said, that " that 
country is the happiest which furnishes the fewest materials for history;" 
yet, if rightly considered, the duty of the historian will be found not 
limited to the narration of the dramatic events of war, but equally appli- 
cable to the arts of peace, and that the true heroes of mankind, ai'e those 
who have manfully encountered and overcome the difficulties which 
might have hindered them from arriving at honorable ends by honest 
means. Viewed in this light, the pioneer who has subdued the wildness 
of nature, and surrounded his home with the luxuries of a well-directed 
husbandry, is socially far above the victorious wan-ior, and his toils, 
pi'ivations and successes are more woi'thy of record. 

Before giving an account of the missions established on the St. Law- 
rence by the French missionaries, it may be interesting to glance at 
the earlier discoveries of Canada, and note in a rapid manner, sev- 
eral of the primitive attempts to establish European colonies in this 
quarter. 

Two years after the discoveries of Columbus became known in 
England, Henry VII engaged John Cabot, a Venetian merchant, to 
sail in quest of discoveries in the west, and this navigator in 3497 
reached the coast of Labrador, which he named Prima-vista. This 
was doubtless the first visit of Europeans to this coast since the days of 
the Scandinavians. 

This voyage was succeeded by others under Sebastian Cabot, son of 
the preceding, in 1498; and by Caspar Cortereal in 1590, to whom the 
discovery of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is said to be due.* This adven- 
turer returned to Lisbon in the month of October of that year, laden 
with timber and slaves, seized from among the natives of the coasts he 
visited. 

On a second voyage Cortereal perished at sea. In 1504, the French 
first attempted a voyage to the New World; and in that year, some 
Basque and Breton fishermen began to ply their calling on the bank 
of Newfoundland and along its adjacent coasts. From these the island 
of Cape Breton derived its name. The dreary pictui-e of these bleak 
and foggy coasts, and the mystery which hung upon the fate of the 
second expedition of Verazzano, who had been sent out by Fi-ancis L 
from France, deterred for a time all efforts of the French to colonize 

*This discovery has been also ascribed lo Jacques Carlier, wlio entered the gulf on the lOlh 
of August, 1535. and gave it the name of the saint whose festival was celebrated on that day. — 
Charlevoix. 



30 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

this region. In 1525, Stefano Gomez sailed from Spain, and is supposed 
to have entered the Gulf of St. Lawi-ence, and to have traded upon its 
shores. A Castilian tradition relates, that finding neither gold nor 
silver upon the coasts, nor any thing which conveyed to these sordid 
adventurers an idea of mines or wealth of any kind, they frequently 
exclaimed ^^ Jlca-nada ; " (signifying "here is nothing") and that the 
natives caught up the sound, which was repeated when other Europeans 
arrived, and thus gave origin to the designation of Canada. This ori- 
gin of the word is also confirmed by Father Hennepin. 

A. Geo. de Lorimier, an intelligent half breed, residing at the Saut 
St. Louis, and who is well acquainted with the native language, stated 
to the author that the word Canada was derived from the Indian word 
Ka-na-ta, which signifies, a village. 

In 1534, Francis I, king of France, listening to the urgent advice of 
Philip Chabot, admiral of France, who portrayed to him in glowing 
colors the riches and growing power of Spain, derived from her trans- 
atlantic colonies, despatched Jacques Cartier, an able navigator of St. 
Mai mo, who sailed on the 20th of April, 1534, with two ships of only 
sixty tons each, and a hundred and twenty men, and reached New- 
foundland in May. After coasting along for some time, without know- 
ing that it was an island, he at length passed the straits of Belleisle, and 
traversed the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Having spent a part of the summer 
on these coasts, he sailed on the 25th of July, highly pleased with the 
hospitable reception he had received from the natives, with whom he 
traded for furs and provisions. 

His report induced the French king to attempt a colony in the 
newly discovered regions; and in May, 1535, Cartier again sailed with 
three small ships, with a numerous company of adventurers, which 
arrived on the coast of Newfoundland much scattered and weakened by 
a disastrous storm on the 26th of Jidy. 

Having taken in wood and water, they proceeded to explore the gulf 
but were overtaken on the 1st of August by a storm, which obliged them 
to seek a port, difficult of access, but with a safe anchorage, near the 
mouth of the Great rivei-. They left this harbor on the 7th, and on 
the 10th came to a gulf filled with numerous and beautiful islands 
Cartier gave this gulf the name of St. Lawrence, having discovered it on 
that saint's festival day.* From this, the Great river and our county de- 
rive their name. 

* " Cartier donna au golphe le nora (ie St. Laurent, ou plutot il le donna a une baye qui est 
entre I'isle d'Anticosti at la cote septenlrionale, d'ou ce nom c'est etendu, a lout le golphe 
dont cette baye fait partie. — Hist, de la NouvelU Franca, Tome i. p. 15. 

According- to Catholic accounts. Saint Lawrence, or Saint Lorenzo, was a deacon to Pope 
Xystus, or Sistus II, who suffered martyrdom for the faith of Christ, by being boiled on a 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 31 

Proceeding on their voyage, they reached on the 15th, the isle since 
called Anticosti, and exploring both shores of the St. Lawrence, at 
length they discovered another island of great extent, fertility and beauty, 
covered with woods and laden with thick clustering vines, which they 
named the Isle de Bacchus, now called Orleans. Pleased with the 
friendly disposition of the natives and the comfortable pi'ospects for a 
winter sojourn, Cartier moored his vessels where a little river flowed 
into a "goodly and pleasant sound," which stream he named the St. 
Croix, near the Indian village of Stadacona, the site of the modern city 
of Quebec. Cartier subsequently during the autumn ascended the river 
to the populous village of Hochelaga, and was every where received in 
the kindest manner by the natives. To a hill, three miles from the village, 
from whose summit the river and country for thirty leagues around was 
spread out in great beauty, he gave the nane of Mont Royal, which has 
since been applied to the populous city on that island, — the modern 
Montreal, which-lies at its foot 

The dreadful severity of the winter, with the scurvy, reduced the 
number of Cartier's companions considerably. In May, he sailed for 
France, with the Indian chief as a prisoner, who had treated him with 
uniform kindness. During each succeeding year, for some time after, 
expeditions were sent out to the newly discovered river, but misfortune 
attended them all, and no efficient attempt at colonizing the country was 
made till 1608, when De Monts, a Calvinist, who had obtained from the 
king the freedom of religious faith for himself and followers in America, 
but under the engagement that the Catholic worship should be established 
among the natives; after several perilous voyages, and much opposition, 
despatched Champlain and Pontgrave, two experienced adventurers, to 
establish the fur trade and begin a settlement. Champlain reached 
Tadousac on the 3d of June, and on the 3d of July he reached Quebec, 
where, nearly three quarters of a century before, Cartier had spent the 
wintei". This magnificent site Avas at once chosen as the place for a 
future city; and centuries of experience have confirmed the wisdom of 
bis choice. 

During the first winter, the settlers endured the extremities of famine. 
On the 18th of April, 1609, Samuel Champlain, with two Frenchmen, 
ascended the Great river; and after a time, turning southward up a 
tributary, entered the beautiful lake which bears his name, and near its 
southern extremity, overcoming a rapid, they entered another lake, after- 
wards named St. Sacrament, now Lake Horicon, or Lake George, 

In 1614, Champlain by his entreaties, procured four Recollects to 

gridiron, A. D. 253. His festival is celebrated on the 10th of August, and his name occurs in 
the litany of the saints in the Catholic ritual. 



32 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

undertake a mission to convert to the Catholic faitli tlie Indians of the 
country; tliese were the first missionaries who visited Acadia. To gain 
a knowledge of the country and language of the natives, Champlain and 
a father Joseph Le Cavon, united with them in an expedition against 
the Iroquois, or confederates of New York, but the enterprise proved 
unsuccessful, and Champlain was wounded.* 

He was obliged to spend the winter with his savage allies, but im- 
proved the opportunity by informing himself of the resources and geo- 
graphy of the country, to the greatest advantage. 

In 1625, Henri de Levi, duke de Ventadour, who had purchased the 
vice-royalty of New France, sent over the exemplary Father Lallemant, 
and four other priests and laymen of the order of the Jesuits, who were 
received by the Recollects with kindness, and admitted under their roof 
on their first arrival. The next year, three other Jesuits arrived, with 
artizans and settlers, when the settlement began to assume the appear- 
ance of a town. In 1629, the colony was seized by the English, but 
restored by treaty in 1632; and in the year following, Champlain was 
again installed as governor of New France. His death occurred in 
December, 1635. Fro.'ti this time forward the Jesuit missionaries con- 
tinued to explore the country, and labor with a zeal which has known 
no parallel, to convert the roving savages to the Catholic faith. To 
acquire their language and confidence," they adopted their dresses and 
mode of life, assisted them in fishmg and hunting, and joined in distant 
and arduous marches for warlike purposes. 

Every canton or tribe of the Iroquois of New York, and nearly every 
nation throughout the range of the great lakes and the Mississippi valley 
had its missionary, and many of them a depot for the purchase of furs 
and sale of merchandise. To protect this trade, and especially to deprive 
the English settlements of its benefits, military posts were early estab- 
lished at important points, and as Quebec was the principal port from 
which exports were made, the St. Lawrence river became the highway 
of the Fi'ench to their distant stations. 

The first military post of any note above Montreal was erected at 
Cataraqui, now Kingston, of the founding of which a minute account is 
preserved in the form of a journal of Count de Frontenac, a portion of 
which describes the wild scenery of the St. Lawrence nearly two centu- 
ries ago, before the woodman's axe had echoed in the primeval forests, 
which then shaded its j^waters. From it an idea may be formed of the 

* The foregoing facts are mostly derived from tlie first volume of Warburton's Conquest 
of Canada; where original authorities are cited. The expedition of Champlain is given in^ 
full in thje Documentary History of New York, Vol. Ill, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 33 

perils which these men encountered in the prosecution of their designs. 
The following extract from the journal of Count de Frontenac's voy- 
age to Lake Ontario in 1673, was translated from the second volume of 
the collection of the Paris Documents in the office of the Secretary of 
State, by Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, editor of the Documentary History 
of New York, who has kindly permitted this manuscript to be used 
for this work. It gives an interesting pictui-e of th3 scenery and 
physical features of the St. Lawrence at that early period. 

The object of this journey was to prevent the ratification of a treaty 
between Indian tribes, which he conceived would operate injuriously to 
the interests of the French. He proposed to effect this by the establish- 
ment of a military post on Lake Ontario, and this was the first beginning 
made at what is now the city of Kingston, C, W. He could thus prevent 
intercourse between the south and the north, and monopolize the fin- trade 
of the Indians. He was still further induced to this, from the represent- 
ations of the Jesuit missionaries, who had for some time labored among 
the Iroquois, and were over anxious that a station should be made in 
,the country of the Indians, as well to promote their religion, as their 
commercial enterprises. 

To impress the natives with a belief that cascades and rapids were no 
barrier against the French, Count de Frontenac resolved to take with 
him two flat bateaux, similar to that M. de Courcelles had two years pre- 
vious carried to the head of the rapids, and even to mount them with 
small cannon, to inspire savages with awe. With these two boats, built 
after a particular model, holding sixteen men, and painted unlike any 
thing seen before, and with about one hundred and twenty bark canoes, 
he at length left Montreal on the 28th of June, having made all neces- 
sary arrangements for the government of the colony in his absence. On 
the 3d of July they had reached the islands at the head of Lake St. 
Francis, where they repaired their bateaux, which had been injured in 
the passing of rapids. We will quote the words of the journal : 

" On the 4th, the route passed through the most delightful country 
in the world. The entire river was spangled with islands, on which 
were only oaks and hard wood ; the soil is admirable, and the banks of 
the mainland on the north and south shores are equally handsome, the 
timber being very clean and lofty, forming a forest equal to the most 
beautiful in France. Both banks of the river are lined with prairies, 
full of excellent grass, interspersed with an infinity of beautiful flowers; 
so that it may be asserted, there would not be a more lovely country in 
the world than that from Lake St". Francis to the head of the rapids, 
were it cleared. 

" Made three leagues up to noon, and halted at a spot more delightful 
than any we had yet seen. It was close to the little channel which 
stretches along the sault on the north side, and opposite the mouth of a 



34 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

river by which people go to the Mohawk.* Sieur Le Moine was sent 
to examine that which goes to the Mohawks, and reported that it formed 
a large, circular, deep, and pleasant basin, behind the point where we 
had halted, and that the Iroquois whom he had found there, had informed 
him that there was five days' easy navigation in that river, and three when 
the waters were lower. After having dined and rested awhile, the march 
was resumed and it was resolved to take the south channel, with the 
desit^n to camp above the long saut, and cross over to that side at three 
quarters of a league above it, but the rain which supei-vened obliged 
Count de Frontenac to cause the entire fleet to come to anchor on the 
nortli side, at the place whei-e we intended to traverse, and he had time 
only to get the bateaux to do this, and to encamp himself with the 
Three Rivers' brigade, and his staff on the south shore opposite the 
place where the other sections had anchored. We found in the western 
forest, in the camp, a white flower, as beautiful as (jan be seen, with an 
odor similar to that of the lily of the valley, but much finei*. It was 
sketched through cui-iosity. 

" The 5th, the rain threatening, we contented ourselves in despatching 
the bateaux at the break of day to get them past the rapids of the Long 
Saut, and the order was sent to the fleet at the north side not to traverse, 
until the weather was settled. 

" Therefore it having cleared about ten o'clock, the fleet traversed and 
advanced to the foot of the first rapid of the Long Saut, but one half 
having passed, a storm sprang up, which obliged the count to go by land, 
as tar as tlie rapid, to hasten on those who were in the middle, and to 
prevent the last going further on ; so that four only were able to pass, 
and these camped half a league above. He sent the others into a cove, 
after he had remained more than two hours under the rain, without a 
cloak; very uneasy about the bateaux, which experienced much difiiculty 
in ascending the rapid, one of them had. run adrift in the current, had 
not the people behind, thrown themselves into the stream with incredi- 
ble promptness and bravery. 

It is impossible to conceive without witnessing, the fatigue of those 
who dragged the bateaux. They were for the most part of the time in 
the water up to the arm-pits, walking on rock so sharp that many had 
their feet and legs covered with blood, yet their gaiety never failed, and 
they made such a point of honor of taking these bateaux up, that as 
soon as they arrived in the camp, some among them commenced jump- 
ing, playing "prison bars," {jouer aux barres^ and other games of like 
nature. The night of the 5tli and 6th inst. was so wet, that the Count 
could not sleep, so afraid was he of the biscuit getting wet, that he or- 
dered Sieur de Chambly, not to allow the canoes to start until he saw 
settled weather, and to push on the bateaux with experienced hands in 
them as they did not carry any provisions capable of spoiling. He 
waited till noon to set out, the weather having cleared up with appear- 
ances of no more rain ; but a league had not been travelled, nor the ba- 
teaux overtaken, before a tempest burst so furiously, that all thought that 
the provisions would be wet. With care however, very little harm hap- 
pened, and after halting about three hours, we proceeded on with some 
five or six canoes, to find out a place to camp ; to give time to the people 
in the canoes to follow them, with all the troops, and though there were 
three or four very ugly I'apids to be passed; they did not fad to surmount 
all these difiiculties, and to arrive before sundown at the head of the 
Long Saut, where Count de Frontenac, had traced out the camp, oppo- 

*RaqueUe Eiver? 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 35 

site a little Island, at the end of which the northern channel unites with 
that on the south. 

The 7th, started the canoes, (bateaux?) very early, with orders to cross 
from the north side at the place where they should find the river nar- 
rower and less rapid, and he left with all the canoes two hours aftar, 
and proceeded until eleven o'clock, in better order than during the pre- 
ceding days, because the navigation was easier. We stopped three or 
foin- houi-s about a quarter of a league from the rapid called the Rapide 

The weather appeared the finest in the world. This induced us to 
determine on passing the rapid, which is very difficult, on account of the 
trees on the water side tumbling into the river, which obliged the canoes 
to take outside, and so go into the strongest of the current. He detached 
six canoes in consequence, which he sent along to take axes to cut all 
the trees that might obstruct the passage of the batteaux, and took with 
him the Three Rivers' brigade and his staff, to lay out the camp, having 
left two brigades with the bateaux, and others for a rear guard. But on 
landing at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, there came a storm accompanied 
by thunder and lightning, more furious than all the others that preceded 
it, so that it was necessary to despatch orders in all haste to the bateaux, 
and to all the fleet to cast anchor, wherever they happened to be, which 
it was very difficult to efl^ect, in consequence of some of the bateaux 
being in the midst of the rapid. The rain lasted nearly the whole night, 
during which the Count was extremely uneasy, lest precautions may 
not have been taken to prevent the provisions getting wet. 

Next morning at break of day sent for intelligence, and news was 
brought, about 7 o'clock in the morning, that there was not much harm 
done, through the cai'c every one took to pi-eserve his provisions, and the 
bateaux arrived a quarter of an hour afterwards at the camp. As eveiy 
one had suffered considerably from the fatigue of the night, it was re- 
solved not to leave the camp before ten or eleven o'clock in order to 
collect all the people and give them time to i-est. 

The weather was so unsettled, that, through fear of rain, they waited 
until noon, and though a pretty strong south-west wind arose, and the 
river was very rough, we failed not to make considerable headway, and 
to camp at the foot of the last rapid. 

The 9th, we had proceeded scarcely an hour, when the Montreal brig- 
ade, dispatched by Count Frontenac from our 3d encampment, by Sieur 
Lieut, de la Valtrie, under the direction of Sieur Morel, ensign, to make 
a second convoy, and carry provisions beyond the rapids, was found in 
a place which he had been ordered to occupy as a depot. As soon as 
our fleet was perceived, he crossed over from the south to the noi-th, and 
came on board the admiral. 

The Count wrote by him to M. Perrot, Governor of Montreal, to whom 
he sent orders to have new canoes furnished to Lieut. Lebert, 1;p join this 
fleet, and endeavor to bring, in one voyage, what he had at first resolved 
to have brought in two. In two hours afterwards, we arrived at the 
place Sieur de la Valtrie had selected to build a storehouse. It was a 

*This rapid is on the north side of Ogden's Island, at the present village of Waddington, in 
Madrid. 

The Island was unknown to the early French voyageurs as the Isle au Rapide Plat, or 
island at the flat rapid. 

The river here is underlaid by a limestone formation of very uniform surface, and has a 
descent of eleven feet in three miles, 

3 



36 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

point at the head of all the rapids, and at the entrance of the smooth 
navigation.* 

The Count strongly approved Sieur de la Valtric's selection, and re- 
solved to sojourn there the vs^hole day, to allow the troops to refresh, 
and to have leisure to send a second canoe to Montreal, with new orders 
and to hasten the return of the canoes, which were sent to bring pro- 
visions. At six o'clock in the evening, two Iroquois canoes arrived, 
bringing letters from Sieur de la Salle, who, having been sent into their 
country two months before, advised the Count, that, after some difficulty, 
founded on the apprehensions the savages entertained of his approach, 
they had, in fine resolved to come to assure him of their obedience, and 
that they awaited him at Kente, to the number of more than two hund- 
red of the most ancient and influential, though they had considerable 
objection to I'epair thither, in consequence of the jealousy they felt on 
seeing Onontio going to Kente, as it implied a preference for that nation 
to the others. This obliged him to request the Abbes de Fenelonf and 
D'Urft^, to go in all haste to Kente, which it had been resolved to visit, 
having judged by the map, after considei-able consultation and different 
opinions, that it would be a very suitable place on which to erect the 
proposed establishment. 

Though Count de Frontenac had appointed this interview with the 
savages, only with that view, he did not omit however taking advantnge 
of the jealousy they entertained in their minds, and requested those 
gentlemen to assure them, that he expected them in that place only to 
let them know that he did not prefer the one to the other, and that he 
should be always their common father, so long as they remained in the 
obedience and respect they owed the king. 

The 10th, left the camp about 5 o'clock in the morning, and though 
Count de Frontenac had determined on the preceding day, and before 
he received the news of the approach of the Iroquois, to leave the bat- 
eaux with the greater portion of the troops behind, and to take with 
him only two or three brigades, to reconnoitre as quickly as possible the 
outlet of the Great Lake, and the post he was about to fortify at the 
mouth of the Katarakoui, he changed his design and concluded he 
ought to proceed with more precaution, until he should be better informed 
of the intention of the Iroquois. 

We therefore proceeded in a body, and in closer column than here- 
tofore. The weather was so serene, and the navigation so smooth, that 
we made more than ten leagues, and went to camp at a cove about a 
league and a half fi'om Otondiata, where the eel fishery begins. We 
had the pleasure on the march, to catch a small loon, a bird about as 
large as a European bustard [Ouiarde), of the most beautiful plumage, 
but so difficult to be caught alive, as it plunges constantly under water, 
that it is no small rarity to be able to take one. A cage was made for it, 
and orders.rwere given to endeavor to raise it, in order to be able to send 
it to the king. 

* Probably, Indian Point, in Lisbon, a short distance above Gallop Rapids. 

t Fenelon, the Archbishop of Cambray, and author of the celebrated allegorical romance 
entitled, Les Adventures de Telemaque, was from 1867 till 1674 a missionary of the Sulpi. 
cian order among the Iroquois, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. He was born, Aug. 6tb, 
1651; early engaged with zeal in ecclesiastical studies, became eminent as a missionary, 
author, and preceptor to the Duke of Burgundy, the heir apparent to the throne of France; 
was raised to the Archbishopric of Cambray in 1697, and died in 1715 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 37 

The lltli,tlie weather continuing fine, a good day's journey was made, 
having passed all that vast group of islands with which the river is 
spangled, and camped at a point above the river called by the Indians / 
Onnondakoui,* up which many of them go hunting. It has a very consider- 
able channel. Two more loons were caught alive, and a scanoutou, which 
is a kind of deer, but the head and branches of which are handsomer than 
that of the deer of France." 

The narrative continues with an account of the stately and regal man- 
ner with which the Comit de Frontenac entered the lake, and the inter- 
views which he had with the natives. The pomp and ceremony with 
which he received the deputation of the savages, the glittering armor and 
polished steel which flashed and gleamed in the sun, the waving banners 
gayest colors that floated in the gentle breeze, and above all the roar of 
cannon and the destructive eflFect of shot, bewildered the minds of the 
simple-hearted natives, and impressed them with awe and astonishment. 
The Coimt then related to them in glowing colors tiie grandeur and im- 
portance of the King his master, whose humble servant he was, and thus 
conveyed a vague but overwhelming impression of the omnipotence of 
the French. 

This speech is interesting, as an illustration of the motives which were 
held out to the natives by the French, and the manner in which they 
appealed to their passions and their interests in securing their adherence 
to their cause. 

Count de Frontenac, having had a fire lighted near the place where 
they were seated, answered them in terms adapted to their manner of 
speaking, as follows : 

"My Children: Onnontagues, Mohawks, Oneidiis, Cayugas and Se- 
necas, I am jfleased to see you come hither, where I have had a fire 
lighted for you to smoke by, and for me to talk to you. It is well done, 
my children, to have followed the orders and commands of your Father. 
Take courage, then, my children: you will hear his word, which is full 
of tenderne&s and peace ; a word which will fill your cabins with joy and 
hafipiness, for think not that war is the object of my voyage. My spirit 
is full of peace, which accompanies me. Courage, then, my children, and 
rest yourselves." 

The Count then presented them with six fathoms of tobacco, and 
added : 

" My Children : You have taken great pains to come to see me, and I 
regret to have given you the trouble of so long a voyage, which I, how- 
ever, tried to abridge, by not obliging you to go to Kente, and by lighting 
the fire for you at Katarokoui. 

Fear not : close your ears, nor distrust your minds. I am aware that 
there have been many evil disposed, who were desirous to persuade you 
that Onontio was coming into the cantons only to devour your villages; 
but, my children, that is not true. Those are busy bodies who would 
break the peace and union that exists between us ; and you will never find 

♦ Gannonoqui? from the Huron, Ough-seanoto, a deer. Dr. O'Callaghan. 



38 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

in me any other than the feelings of a real father, so long as you will act 
like true children, and continue obedient. 

Cheer up then your spirits, and be persuaded that I had no other 
design in this voyage, than to visit you ; as it was very reasonable a father 
should be acquainted with his children, and the children with their 
father. 

I can not, however, sufficiently testify to you the joy J feel to see that 
you not only fully obey my orders with promptness, and come in great 
numbers to meet me, but that you have also brought your wives and 
children with you, because this is a certain mark of the confidence you 
place in my words. 

One regret only remains, that I can not speak your language, or that 
you do not understand mine, so that there might be no necessity for in- 
terpreter or spokesman. 

But in order that you may be fully informed all I have said to you, I 
have selected Sieur Lemoine, to whom I shall communicate in writing 
what I have to state to you, so that you may not lose any of my remarks. 
Listen, then, attentively to him. There is something to open your ears, 
in order that you may be disposed in a day or two to hear the thoughts 
of Onontio." 

The Count then handed the paper he held to Sieur Lemoine, and 
presented to each nation a gun, a quantity of prunes and raisins for the 
women, with some wine, brandy and biscuit. 

The Indians appeared highly pleased with the speech Avhich M. 
Lemoine explained to them in the commencement, and which appeared 
according to their fashion considerable, caused them to hope that mag- 
nificent ones would be made them at the close, when Onontio would 
communicate his intentions to them. 

It was i-emai'ked that their countenances were much changed, and 
that Toronteshati, their orator, the ablest, most spiritual, and most influ- 
ential man among them, from being sad and pensive before, assumed a 
gaiety not usual to him. He has been always an enemy to the French, 
and gi'eatly in the interest of the Dutch. Count Frontenac was obliged 
in consequence, to pay him particular attention, and to keep him to din- 
ner with him. 

Sieur Rendieu was busy meanwhile, tracing out the fort at the place 
designated by the Count, and according to the plan which had been ap- 
proved of by him, and as soon as they had dined, men were ordered to 
work at the trench, where pickets were to be set, until it was determined 
in what manner the troops should be employed, and until the tools were 
put in order. He then embarked in a canoe to visit the banks of the 
river, or harbor and was delighted to find at the head of the bay, a 
prairie more than a league in length, as handsome and level as any in 
France, and to see the river winding through its centre, very wide, and 
capable of admitting barks and vessels for over three leagues continually. 

He returned to the camp in great joy, on perceiving that he had found 
everything according to his wishes, and that God had seemingly blessed 
his enterprise, but what increased it still more, was to find that every 
body was so impatient for work, and so anxious to advance the under- 
taking, which he hoped to bring soon to an end. This ardor thus ex- 
hibited by them, caused him to alter his resolution, to divide the troops 
into four brigades, and to have them relieved every two hours, in order 
that the work should not intermit, and he accepted their proposal to di- 
vide the labor among them, each undertaking what may be allotted to 
him. This had so good an effect, that early in the evening, they began 
to make a clearing with such energy, that the officers found difficulty in 



AND FRAlsKLIN COUNTIES 3l& 

drawing the people off to rest and sleep, so as to be able to work the 
next morning. 

The 14th day had scarcely broken, when the entire brigade fell to 
work, according to the allotment that had been made, and aUthe officers 
and soldiers applied themselves to it with such heartiness and zeal, that 
the site of the fort was nearly cleared. 

Sieur Lamoine had ordersfrom the Count, to bring him at each meal 
two or three of the principal Iroquois, whom he entertained at his table. 
He fondled their children every time he met them, and had prunes, raisins. 
&c., distributed among them, which so gratified the Indians that they 
would not leave his tent, no more than the women, whom he treated, to 
induce them to dance in the evening. 

The 15th, the work was continued with the same zeal; but the rain 
which fell throughout the morning of the 16th, prevented operations until 
noon, when every effort was made to recover lost time. The Indians 
were astonished to see the large clearance that had been made; some 
squaring timber in one place; others fetching pickets; others cutting 
trenches; and that diffei-ent operations advanced at the same time. In 
the evening he caused notice to be given to the captain of the Five Na- 
tions, that he would give them an audience, on the next day, at eight 
o'clock in the morning. 

On the 17th, everything being prepared to receive them, they came to 
the Count in the same manner as the first time, when he submitted to 
them in his speech all the conditions he desired of them, as may be seen 
from the copy annexed of his address, which was accompanied by mag- 
nificent presents in Indian fashion. 

Count de Frontenac's speech to the Iroquois. 

FIRST WORD. 

" My children ! Onnontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas 
I signified to you the other day, the joy I felt to see you arrive here with 
all your proofs of submission that children owe their father, and with 
such confidence that you have brought your wives and little ones. 

You alleviate in U-uth thereby, all the trouble and fatigues I encoun- 
tered on my voyage, and oblige me by the respect you have for my com- 
mands to gi%-e you every assurance that you can desire of my friendship, 
and the king, my majesty's protection, if you continue to observe faith- 
fully bis will, of" which i am interpreter, and executor. I have even 
reason to persuade myself that you will not fail therein after the protest- 
ations you have gi%-en me, and the knowledge you have afforded me of 
the good understanding in which all the nations now live, inasmuch as 
j^ouhave informed me,"that they were all of the same spirit, and had but 
one opinion. But as it is the duty of children to be obedient to their 
father, 'tis ]ike\\ise the duty of a good father to communicate to his 
children, instructions and information, the most useful and necessary for 
them. 

Children! Onontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas! 
I can not give you any advice more important or more profitable to you, 
than to exhort you to become Christians, and to adore the same God 
that I adore. He'is the sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth ; the absolute 
master of your lives and properties; who hath created you; who pre- 
serves you ; who furnishes you with food and di-ink; who can send death 
amongst you in a moment, inasmuch as he is Almighty, and acts as he 
willeth, not like men, who require time, but in an instant and at a word. 



40 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In fine, He it is who can render yon happy or miserahle, as he pleasetli. 
This God is called Jesus ; and the Black Gowns here, wlio are Jiis mi- 
nisters and interpreters, will teach you to know Him, whenever you are so 
disposed. I leave them among you, and in your villages, only to teach 

you. 

1 therefore desire, that you respect them, and prevent any of your 
youn^ braves daring or presuming to injm-e them in the smallest degree, 
as I shall consider the injuries done them as ))ersonal to myself, and such 
I will punish with like severity. Hearken well then to the advice 1 give 
you, and forget it not, as it is of great importance; and you ought to be 
aware that, in giving it, I labor more for you than for myselfj and I study 
only your happiness The Hurons, here present in great numbers, nuist 
incline you thereto, since you see with your own eyes that they have 
learned to honor and serve the God of whom 1 speak to you. 

Ancients! give herein the example to your children, as your judgment 
must be sounder than theirs; or at least, if you be not dis|)osed to be- 
come Christians, at least do not prevent them becoming such, and learn- 
ing the prayer of that great Got> whom the Black Gowns will willingly 
teach them, and his commandments. These consist of only two points, 
easy of observance. I'he first is, to love Him with your whole heart, 
and whole soul, and your whole strength. Ancients! Js there any thing 
more easy than to love what is perfectly beautifid, what is sovereignly 
amiable, and what can constitute all our happiness? 

The second thing he requires of us is, to love our brother as we love 
ourselves; that is to say, that we assist them in their necessities, and 
furnish them drink, and meat and clothing, when they are in need of 
them, as we would wish should be done to ourselves. 

Again, Ancients — for to you 1 address myself believing your minds to 
be sufficiently endowed to comprehend it — tell me frankly, if there is 
any thing more reasonable than this commandment? You ought to be 
more easily persuaded that I came not here save with a heart filled with 
gentleness and peace, to communicate these to my children, to assist 
them in all things, and to give them a proof of a true and sincere 
friendship. 

Take courage, then, my children, Onontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, 
Cayugas, and Senecas. Lend not an ear to the councils of certain busy 
bodies, who at my approach desire to excite distrust and suspicions, 
and who, assuming to be your friends, meditate only your ruin and 
destruction. 

Listen to me, and trust my words. I am frank and sincere, and shall 
promise you nothing but what I shall exactly perform, desiring that you 
may on your side do likewise. 

* * * I content myself by telling you only to reflect on 

the past and on the present; consider well the greatness and {)ower of 
Onontio; behold the number of {)ersons acconipanying and surrouiiding 
him; the ease and celerity with which he has surmounted all your ^aw/s 
and rapids, and passed bateaux, mounted with cannon, over them, which 
you never thought could be steered through the smoothest and most tran- 
quil of rivers, and that in a voyage made only through pleasure, and with- 
out necessity. Infer from this what he could effect if he desired to wage 
war and crush any of his enemies. If you reflect seriously on all of these 
things, you will acknowledge he is a good father, who is not cruel, and 
that he is absolute arbiter of War and Peace." 

When we come to give an account of the founding of the mission on 
the St. Lawrence, nearly three quarters of a century after, it may be well 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 41 

to remember the nature of the motives which were brought to bear upon 
the minds of the savages, when we shall see that they were essentially 
the same as those offered by the Count de Frontenac. 

From this time forward, the St. Lawrence was frequently traversed 
by French voyagei*s, and a post was established at La Galette, (meaning in 
the French language a cake, or muffin,) which is supposed to be near the 
site of Johnstown in Canada, a short distance below Prescott, or on 
Chimney Island. 

In the celebrated expedition of De la Barre, the governor of Canada, 
against the Iroquois, in 1684,* La Galette is mentioned as one of his 
stopping places. 

In laying a plan for the conquest of the Five Nations, de la Barre in- 
dicates the necessity of posting troops in Forts Frontenac and La Galette, 
to escort provisions, and keep the head of the country guarded and 
furnished. 

This celebrated, and singularly unfortunate expedition, left Quebec on 
the ninth of July, 1684, and on the first of August arrived at Lake St. 
Francis, with about two hundred canoes, and fifteen bateaux; where he 
was joined by the Rev. Father Lamberville, junior, coming on behalf of 
his brother at Onondaga, and by the Rev. Father Millet, from the 
Oneidas. 

On the second they reached the portage of the Long Saut, wbich was 
found very difficult, notwithstanding the care taken to send forwai'd fifty 
men with axes to cut away the trees that projected from the bank, and 
prevented those passing who were dragging up the canoes and bateaux ; 
because the trees being voluminous and the bank precipitous, the people 
were in the water the moment they abandoned the shore. During this 
delay, they were joined by the Christian Iroquois of the Saut St. Louis 
and of Alontreal, who undertook for a few pi-esents of brandy and 

* See the Documenlary History of New York, by E. B. O'Callaghan, Vol. I, p 93-143 
where a full history of this event is given in the original documents. La Famine, which was 
ill Ihe work cited, located in Jefferson county, must doubtless have been Salmon river in Os. 
wego county. In the Journal of Charlevoix, ( 12rao edition, vol. 5, p. 302-3) the followino- 
distances are given: 

" From ITsle aux Gallots, to I'Isle aux Cheves, (Goat Island) three leagues to a point, which 
is forty-three degrees thirty minutes; thence to la pointe de la Traverse, (Stoney Point,) a 
league and a half The river de Assoi7iption is a league from point de la Traverse; that des 
Sables, (Sandy Creek? three leagues further; that de la Blanche, (Little Sandy Creek?) two 
leagues beyond ; XhaXde la Grande Famine, (Salmon river?) two other leagues; that dela 
Petite Famine, a league, that of de la Grosse Eeorce, (Thick Bark,) a league. 

Colden in his history of the Five Nations mentions La Famine river, called by the Indians 
Kaihahage, as falling into the south side of Cadaracui lake, about thirty miles from Onondago 
(probably the mouth of Oswego river.) See vol. II. p. 64, of third London edition of Colden's 
History, 1755. 

This correctton is made with the knowledge and by the consent of Dr. O Callaghan. 



42 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tobacco, to pass tlie batteaux and largest canoes, a feat which was accom- 
plished in two daya, and without accident. 

On the morning of the fifth, the governor had reached La Galette, 
where the provisions were taken from the canoes, which weie sent back 
to La Chine for a new load. 

The strong winds from the southwest which constantly prevailed, and 
which continued through the month, delayed the return of the canoes 
some time, and prevented the chance of his aniving at the fort at 
Cataraqui, until the ninth. After his arrival he despatched eight of his 
largest canoes to La Galette, for ten thousand weight of flour, provisions 
beginning to fail in the camp, which caused him much uneasiness, and 
which eventually contributed largely to his disasters. 

This supply of flour was to be immediately baked into biscuit, and 
forwarded to the troops who had gone forward and encamped at La 
Famine, a post favorable for hunting and fishing, and which was four 
leagues from Onontague. 

The canoes despatched to Galette returned with far less flour than 
was expected, and was immediately baked and sent to the troops. 

The unfortunate result of this expedition is well known. Famine and 
sickness overtook the French army, and the governor was driven to the 
humiliating extremity of asking peace of those he had come to conquer. 
The ever memorable speech of Garangula, the Onondaga orator, has 
often been quoted, and has ever been admired as a master-piece of 
eloquence. 

Mortified and ashamed he returned to Montreal in September, having 
been to much pains to prove to the savages, that the French were not 
altogether invincible, but were, like themselves, liable to suifer from sick- 
ness and hunger, and doubtless did much towards weakening the confi- 
dence formerly reposed in their prowess. 

In a letter from Father Lamberville to M. de la Barre,- dated July 11, 
1684, the establishment of a fort at La Galette, is alluded to as one of 
the best measures calculated to attain their ends with the natives. It 
was against the advice of this missionary, that the expedition was under- 
taken. In the same letter he wrote as follows: 

" I do not believe you will derive any advantage this year from war, if 
you should wage it, for not only will the whole of the Iroquois prosecute 
the war in Canada, but you will not find the Senecas in their villages, in 
which they give out they will not shut themselves up, but conceal them- 
selves in the grass and prepare ambuscaders for you everywhere. * * 
The warriors are to prowl everywhere, killing, without if possible being 
killed. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 43 

If their Indian corn be cut, it will cost much blood and men. You 
must also resolve to lose the harvest of the French grain, to which the 
Iroquois will set fire." 

Causes of difficulty continued to exist between the Iroquois and the 
French, principally due to the jealousies which the English succeeded 
in disseminating among the former. This led to the expedition of the 
Marquis Denonville in the summer of 1687 against the Seijecas,and that 
of the Count de Frontenac against the Onondagas in 1686. In neither 
of these did the French succeed in conquering their enemies, although 
in the former they succeeded in overrunning the country, and making a 
great many captures. Their prisoners were distributed among friendly 
tribes on the north shoi'e of the lake. 

Denonville founded the military post at Niagara, on the occasion of 
his expedition, and this formed one of the most important stations of the 
French, as it was at a portage between two navigable waters of great 
extent, and commanded the trade of an immense region of country. 

The French were not always the aggressive party, for in 1688, the 
savages laid waste their country to the very gates of Montreal, and no- 
thing but ignorance of the modes of attack practiced by civilized soldiers, 
prevented the entire destruction of their settlements. 

The enemy disappeared as quickly as they came, and before they had 
recovered from the shock, and made preparations for defence, the assail- 
ants had vanished. 

These vindictive wars were conducted along the valley of the St 
Lawrence for several years.* 

In 1720 - 21, Father Charlevoix, a Jesuit, undertook, by command of 
the King of France, a journey to Canada. His observations, in an epi- 
stolary form, addressed to the Duchess de Lesdiguieres, were published 
at Paris in 1744 ; from the fifth volume of which we tx'anslate the fol- 
lowing extracts from a letter dated " Catarocoui, 14th May, 1721 : 

"Above the Buisson, the river is a mile wide, and lands on both sides 
are very good and well wooded. They begin to clear those which are 
on the north side ; and it would be very easy to make a road from the 
point which is over against the island of Montreal, to a bay which they 
call la Galette. They will shim by this forty leagues of navigation, which 
the falls render almost impracticable and very tedious. A fort would be 
much better situated and more necessary at la Galette than at Catarocoui, 
because a single canoe can not pass here without being seen, whereas at 
Catai'ocoui they may slip behind the islands without being observed. 

* In January- 1851, a Mr. W. Merritt. a wheelwright at Malone, when dressing out wagon 
spokes, of oak timber, found a leaden bullet, which at some ancient period had been shot into 
the tree. It had been cut in Brasher, and the tree was eighteen inches in diameter, and the 
bail lay within an inch of the heart of the tree. It must from the appearance of the concen- 
tric lines of growth have laid in tliis situation about one hundred and sevenly.live years, and 
may "have been discharged by these early belligerents. 



44 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Moreover the lands about Galette are very good, and they might in con- 
sequence have always provisions in plenty, which would save many 
charges. Besides this, a bark might go in two days with a good wind to 
Niagara. One of the objects which they had in view in building the fort 
Catarocoui, was the trade with the Iroquois; but these savages would 
come as willingly to la Galette as to Catarocoui. They would have indeed 
something further to go, but they would avoid a passage of eight or nine 
leagues which they must make over the Lake Ontario. In short, a fort 
at la Galette would cover the whole country which is between the great 
river of the Outaouais and the river St, Lawi-ence ; for they can not come 
into this country on the side of the river St. Lawrence, because of the falls, 
and nothing is more easy than to guard the banksof the i-iver of the Ou- 
taouais. I have these remarks from a commissary of the Marine ( M. de 
Clerambaut d'Aigremont), who was sent by the King to visit all the dis- 
tant posts of Canada. * * * From Coteau du Lac to Lake St. Franc^ois 
is but a good half league. This lake, which I passed on the fifth, is se- 
ven leagues long and three at the widest place. The land on both sides 
is low, but appears to be good. The course from Montreal to this is a 
little to the southwest, and the lake S.Francois runs west-southwest and 
east-northeast. I encamped just above it, and in the night was aroused 
by piercing cries as of persons in distress. I was at first alarmed, but 
soon recovered myself, when they told me they were huars, a kind of 
cormorants. They added that these cries prognosticated winds on the 
mori'ow, which proved true. 

The sixth I passed the Chesnaux du Lac, thus called from some chan- 
nels which form a great number of islands which almost cover the river 
in this place. I never saw a country more charming, and the lands 
appear good. The rest of the day was spent in passing the rapids, the 
principal one of which they call le MouUnet [the vortex] : it is frightful 
to behold, and we had much trouble in passing it. I went, however, that 
day seven leagues, and encamped at the foot of the Long Saut, which is 
a rapid half a league long, which canoes can not ascend with more than 
half a load. We passed it at seven in the morning, and sailed at three 
o'clock p. M. ; but the rain obliged us to encamp, and detained us the fol- 
lowing day. There fell on the eighth [May] a little snow, and at night 
it froze as it does in France in the month of January. We were never- 
theless under the same parallels as Languedoc. On the ninth we passed 
the Rapide Plat [opposite the. village of Waddington], distant from the 
Saut about seven leagues, and five fi-om des Galots, which is the last of 
the rapids. La Galette is a league and a half further, and we arrived 
there on the tenth. I could not sufficiently admire the beauty of the 
country between this bay and les Galots. It is impossible to see finer 
forests, and I especially notice some oaks of extraordinary height. 

Five or six leagues from la Galette is an island called Tonihata, where 
the soil appears fertile, and which is about half a league long. An Iro- 
quois, wliom they call the Quaker, I know not why, a very sensible man, 
and very affectionate to the French, obtained the dominion of it from the 
late Count de Frontenac, and shows his patent of concession to whoever 
wishes to see it. He has nevertheless sold the lordship for four pots of 
brandy, but has reserved to himself all other profits of the land, and has 
assembled here eighteen or twenty families of his nation. I arrived on 
the twelfth at his island, and paid him a visit. I found him laboring in 
his garden, which is not the custom of savages; but he affects all the 
customs of the French. He received me very kindly, and wished to 
regale me, but the beauty of the weather invited me to prosecute my 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 45 

journey. I took my leave of him, and went to pass the night two leagues 
from thence iu a very fine place. 

I had still thirteen leagues to Catarocoui : the weather was fine, and 
the night very clear, which induced me to embark at three o'clock in the 
morning. We passed through the midst of a kind of^rchipelago, which 
they call Mille Isles [Thousand Isles]. I believe there are about five hun- 
dred. When we had passed these, we had a league and a half to reach 
Catarocoui. The river is more open, and at least half a league wide: 
then we leave upon the right three great bays, very deep, and the fort is 
built in the third. This fort is square, with tour bastions built with stone; 
and the ground it occupies is a quarter of a league in circuit, and its 
situation has really something very delightful. The banks of the river 
present in every way a varied scenery, and it is the same at the entrance 
of Lake Ontario, which is but a short league distant: it is studded with 
islands of different sizes, all well wooded, and nothing bounds the horizon 
on that side. This lake for some time bore the name of Saint Louis, after- 
wards that of Fronienac, as well as the fort of Catarocoui, of which the 
Count de Frontenac was the founder; but insensibly the lake has gained 
its ancient name, which is Huron or Iroquois, and the fort that of the place 
where it is built. Tlie soil from this place to la Galette appears rather 
barren ; but it is only on the edges, it being veiy good farther back. Op- 
posite the fort is a very fine island, in the midst of the river. They placed 
some swine upon it, which have multiplied and given it the name of Isle 
des Pores [Hog Island, now Grand Island]. There are two other islands 
somewhat smaller, which are lower, and half a league apart: one is 
named flsle aux Cedres, and the other VIsle aux Cerfs [Cedar Island and 
Stag Island, neither of which names are now retained]. 

The bay of Catarocoui is double; that is to say, that almost in the midst 
of it is a point which runs out a great way, under which there is good 
anchorage for large barks. M. de la Salle, so famous for his discoveries 
and his misfortunes, who was lord of Catarocoui and governor of the fort, 
had two or three vessels here which were sunk in this place, and remain 
there still. Behind the fort is a marsh, where a great variety of wild 
game gives pleasant occupation for the garrison. 

There was formerly a great trade here, especially with the Iroquois; 
and it was to entice them to us, as well as to hinder their carrying their 
skins to the English, and to keep these savages in awe, that the fort was 
built. But this trade did not last long, and the fort has not hindered the 
barbarians from doing us a great deal of mischief. They have still some 
families here, on the outskirts of the place; and also some Missisaguez, 
an Algonquin nation, which still have a village on the west side of Lake 
Ontario, another at Niagara, and a third at Detroit." 

An English writer (Jeffi-ej'^j has written a book, entitled, " The French 
Dominion in America" (London, 1760, folio), in which he has freely 
quoted, without acknowledgment, from Charlevoix and other French 
writers, statements of facts and descriptions of places, of which he 
evidently had no knowledge beyond what he derived from these works. 

The following is an extract from this writer fp. 15), which may be 

compared with the translation from Charlevoix which we have given. 

"A fourth rift, two leagues and a half hence, is called the rift of St 
Francis, from whence to Lake St. Francis, you have only half a league. 
This lake is several leagues in length, and almost three in breadth 



46 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

where broadest. The land on both sides is low, but appears to be of 
an excellent soil. The route from Montreal hither lies a little towards 
the south-west, and the Lake St. Francis runs west-south-west and east- 
north-east. 

From hence you come to the chesneaux du lac, for thus are called those 
channels formed by a cluster of islands, which take up almost the 
whole breadth of the river at this place. The soil seems here extraordi- 
narily good, and never was prospect more charming than that of the 
country about it. The most remarkable falls here are, that of the Mouli- 
net, which is even frightful to behold,* and exceeding difficult to get 
through, and that called the Long FaU,ha\fa league in length, and pass- 
able only to canoes half loaded. 

The next you come to, is called the Flat Rift [Rapide du Plat, opposite 
Ogden's Island and the village of Waddington], about seven leagues 
above the Long Fall, and five below that called Les Galots, which is the 
last of the falls. La Galette lies a league further, and no one can be 
weary of admiring the extraordinary beauty of the country, and of the 
noble forests, which overspread ail the lands about this bay and La Ga- 
lette, particularly the vast woods of oak of a prodigious height. A fort 
would ])erliaps be better situated, and much more necessary at La Ga- 
lette, than at Cadaraqui, for this /eason, that not so much as a single 
canoe could pass without being seen ; whereas at Cadaraqui they may 
easily sail behind the isles without being perceived at all. The lands 
moreover about La Galette are excellent, whence there would always be 
plenty of provisions, which would be no small saving. 

And, besides, a vessel could very well go from La Galette to JViagara, 
in two days, with a fair wind. One motive for building the fort at Cada- 
raqui was, the conveniency of trading with the Iroquois. But those 
Indians would as willingly go to La Galette as to the other place. Their 
way, indeed, would be much longer, but then it would save them a tra- 
verse of eight or nine leagues on Lake Ontario ; not to mention that a 
fort at la Galette would secure all the country lying between the great 
river of the Outawais and the river St. Lawrence ; for this country is 
inaccessible on the side of the river, on account of the rifts, and nothing- 
is more practicable than to defend the banks of the great river; at least, 
these are the sentiments of those sent by the court of France to visit all 
the different posts of Canada. 

One league and a half from La Galette, on the opposite shore, at the 
mouth of the Oswegatchi river, the French have lately built the fort La 
Presentation, which commands that river, and keeps open a communi- 
cation, by land, between Lake Champlain and this place. 

Four leagues above La Presentation, is the isle calh d Tonihata, about 
half a league in length, and of a very good soil. An Iroquois, called by 
the French writers, for what reason we are not told, the Quake?; a man 
of good natural sense, and much attached to the Fren^'h nation, had, as 
they say, got the dominion of this island of a count of Frontenac, the 
patent of which, it seems, he was proud of showing to any body. 

He sold his lordship for a gallon of brandy; reserving, however, the 
profits to himself, and taking care to settle eighteen or twenty familits 
of his own nation upon this island. 

It is ten leagues hence to Cadaraqui, and on your way to this place, 
you pass thi'ough a sort of Archipel, called the Thousand Isles, and there 

*This is probably what is known al present as the Lost Channel, on the north side of 
Loiig- Saut island. It has within a year or two been descended by steumerSj and found safe, 
although the war of waters is frightful. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 47 

may possibly be about five hundred. From hence to Cadaraqui, they 
reckon four leagues. 

The river here is freer and opener, and the breadth, half a league. 
On the right are three deep bays, in the third of which stands Fort 
Cadaraqui or Frontenac." 

From the earliest period of their settlement, the French appear to 
have been solicitous to withdraw the Iroquois from the intei-ests of the 
English, and to establish them near their own borders, as well to secure 
their religious, as their political adherence to their interests. To effect 
their conversion, Father Ragueneau was sent to Onondaga, in 1657-8; 
Isaac Joques to the Mohawks (among whom he had been a captive, pre- 
viously), in 1646; Frs. Jos. Lemercier to Onondaga, in 1656-8 ; Frs. Dupe- 
ron to Onondaga, in 1657-8; Simon Le Moyne to Onondaga, in 1654, 
and subsequently to the Mohawks and Senecas; and many others, but 
none with more success than Jacques de Lamberville, who was among 
the Mohawks in 1675-8, subsequently at Onondaga, which place he left 
in 1686, and again in 1703 to 1709, he was engaged most zealousy in his 
work of proselyting to his faith the Indians of New York. 

The result of the labors of these missionaries, was the emigration of 
a part of the Mohawk tribe, in 1675-6, to the saut St. Louis, in the vicini- 
ty of Montreal. 

Some account of this emigration is given by Charlevoix which will 
here be given, as a specimen of the zealous devotion and religious strain 
in which the Catholic writers of that period were accustomed to speak 
and write, rather than for its importance as a historical document. 

The success of their enterprise was proportioned to the zeal and 
energy with which it was prosecuted. The room in which Charlevoix 
dwelt while at this mission of the saut St. Louis is still pointed out to 
visitors, and the table on which he wrote forms a part of the fui-niture of 
the priest's house at that mission. 

From vol. v of Charlevoix's Journal of Travels in North America, 
page 258, and subsequently. Letter to the Dutchess de Lesdiguieres: 

Of the Iroquois Village of the Saut St. Louis, and of the different People 
who inhabit Canada. 

" Saut St. Louis, Ma7j 1, 1721. 

TMadame : I have come to this place to spend a part of Easter. It is 
a period of devotion, and every thing in this village is suggestive of 
pious emotions. AH the religious exercises are performed in a very 
edifying manner, and leave an impression of fervor on the,minds of the 
Habitants; for it is certain that it has long been the case in Canada, that 
we may witness the brightest examples of heroic virtue, with which 
God has been wont to adorn the growing church. The manner itself in 
which it has been formed is very marvelous. 



48 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The iNIissionarips, after liaving for a long time moistened the cantons 
of tlie Iroquois with their sweat, and some even with their blood, lost, at 
lengtii, all ho])e of estaldishing there the Christian religion, upon a solid 
basis, l)iit not of drawing a great number of savages under the yoke 
of the Faith. They felt that God had among these barbarians his elect, 
as in all nations, but they were convinced that to assure their callins; and 
their election, it was necessary to separate thern fi-om their compatriots, 
and they formed the resolution of establishing in the colony, all those 
whom they found disposed to embrace Christianity. They opened their 
design to the Governor General and the Intendant, who carried their 
views still fiuther, not only approving them, but conceiving that this 
establishment would be very serviceable to New France, as in fact it has 
been, ns well as another, much like it, which had been established in the 
Isle of Montreal, under the name of la Montagne, of which the members 
of the Seminary of St. Sulpice have always had the direction. 

To return to that which served as a model for the others, one of the 
Missionaries of the Iroquois opened his design to some of the Mohawks. 
They approved it, and especially that canton which had always most 
strongly opposed the ministers of the gospel, and where they had often 
been most cruelly treated. Thus, to the great wonder of French and 
Savages, were seen these inveterate enemies of God, and of our nation, 
touched with his victorious Grace, which thus deigned to triumph in the 
hardest and most rebellious hearts, abandoning all that they held most 
dear in the world to receive nothing, that they may serve the Lord with 
more freedom. A sacrifice more heroic still for savages than other peo- 
ple, because none are more attached than them to their families, and 
their natal land. 

The number was much augmented in a short time: in part, from the 
zeal of the first proselytes who composed this chosen band." 

This measure led to much persecution, and the converts were often 
tortured to compel them to renounce the faith. Others were confined 
in miserable dungeons in New York, from which ihey coidd be liberated 
only by abjuring their new religion, or at least by promising to leave the 
French. 

M. de Saint Valier thus wrote in 1688 : " The ordinary life of all the 
Christians at this mission, has nothing usual, and one would take the 
whole village to be a Monastery. As they only left the goods of their 
country to seek safety, they practice on all sides the most perfect disen- 
gagement, and preserve among each other [^so perfect order for their 
sanctification, that it would be difficult to add any thing to it." 

These savages of course carried with them their language and customs, 
but the latter gradually became adapted to those of the French, who 
labored to abolish those national ceremonies, and substitute in their place 
an observance of the ritual and requirements of the catholic religion. 
This measure succeeded so well, that, at the present day, the oldest In- 
dians at the missions have lost all recollection of the existence of their 
ancient customs, and do not preserve the memory of national ceremo- 
nieg of the olden time. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 49 

The emigration to Canada from among the Indians continued through 
many years, and at length, in 1749, led to the establishment of a mis- 
sionary station and fort at the mouth of the river la Presentation [Oswe- 
gatchie], by Francis Picquet, a Sulpitian. An account of this is given in 
the Documentary History of New- York, which was taken from the Paris 
documents collected by an agent sent to Europe by this state for the 
purpose of obtaining historical materials. 

"A large number of Iroquois savages having declared their willingness 
to embrace Christianity, it has been proposed to establish a mission in 
the neighborhood of Fort Frontenac. Abbe Picquet, a zealous mission- 
ary in whom the nations have evinced much confidence has taken charge 
of it, and of testing, as much as possible what reliance is to be placed 
on the dispositions of the Indians.* 

Nevertheless, as Mr. do la Gallisonni^re had remarked in the month of 
October, one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight, that too much 
dependence ought not to be placed on them, Mr. de la Jonquiere was 
written to on the fourth of May one thousand seven hundi-ed and forty- 
nine, that he should neglect nothing for the formation of this establish- 
ment, because if it at all succeeded it would not be difficult to give the 
Indians to understand that the only means they had to relieve themselves 
of the pretensions of the English to their lands, is the destruction of 
Choueguen which they founded solely with a view to bridle these Na- 
tions; but it was necessary to be prudent and circumspect to induce the 
savages to undertake it. 

31st gber 1749. Mr. de la Jonquiere sends a plan drawn by Sieur de 
Lery of the ground selected by the Abbe Picquet for his mission and a 
letter from that Abbe containing a relation of his voyage and the situa- 
tion of the place. 

He says he left the fourth of May of last year with twenty-five French- 
men and four Iroquois Indians; he arrived the thirtieth at the River de 
la Presentation, called Soegatzy. The land there is the finest in Canada. 
There is oak timber in abundance, and trees of a prodigious size and 
height, but it will be necessary, for the defence of the settlement, to fell 
them without permission. Picquet reserved sufiicient on the land he 
had cleared to build a bark. 

He then set about building a store house to secure his effects; he next 
had erected a small fort of pickets and he will have a small house con- 
structed which will serve as a bastion. 

Sieur Picquet had a special interview with the Indians; they were 
satisfied with all he had done; and assured him they were willing 
to follow his advice and to immediately establish their village. To 
accomplish this, they are gone to regulate their affairs and have pro- 
mised to retui-u with their pi-ovisions. 

The situation of this post is very advantageous ; it is on the borders 
^f the River de la Presentation, at the head of all the rapids, on the west 
side of a beautiful basin formed by that river, capable of easily holding 
forty or fifty barks. 

* The following extract from Paris Doc. X., furnishes the date of the Abbe Picquet's depart, 
ure to establish his colony on the Oswegatchie river :— " 30 Sept. 1748. The Abbe Picquet's 
departs from Quebec for Fort Frontenac ; he is to look in the neighborhood of that fort for a 
location best adapted for a village for the Iroquois of the Five Nations, who propose to em. 
brace Christianity. 



50 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In all parts of it there has been found at least two fathoms and a half 
of water and often four fathoms. This basin is so located that no wind 
scarcely can prevent its being entered. The bank is very low, in a level 
country, the point of whicii runs far out. The passage across is hardly 
a quarter of a leagne, and all the canoes going up or down, can not pass 
elsewhere. A fort on this point would be impregnable; it would be im- 
possible to approach, and nothing commands it. The east side is more 
elevated, and runs by a gradual inclination into an amphitheatre. A 
beautiful town could hereafter be built there. 

This post is moreover so much the more advantageous, as the English 
and Iroquois can easily descend to Montreal by the river de la Presenta- 
tion, which has its source in a lake bordering on the Mohawks and Cor- 
lar. If they take possession of this River they will block the passage to 
Fort Frontenac, and more easily assist Choueguen. Whereas by means 
of a fort at the point, it would be easy to have a force there in case of 
need to dispatch to Choueguen, and to intercept the English and Indians 
who may want to penetrate into the Colony, and the voyage to 
Missilimakinac could be made in safety. 

Moreover, this establishment is only thirtj'-five leagues from Montreal; 
twenty-five from Fort Frontenac, and thirty-three Irom Choueguen;* a 
distance sufficient to remove the Indians from the disorders which the 
proximity of forts and towns ordinarily engenders among them. It is 
convenient for the reception of the Lake Ontario, and more distant 
Indians. 

Abbe Picquet's view^s are to accustom these Indians to raise cows, 
hogs and poultry; there are beautiful prairies, acorns and wild oats. 

On the other hand it can be so regulated that the bateaux carrying 
goods to the posts, may stop at La Presentation. The cost of freight 
would become smaller; men could be found to convey those bateaux at 
fifteen to twenty livres instead of forty-five and fifty livres which are 
given for the whole voyage. Other bateaux of La Presentation would 
convey them farther on, and the first would take in return plank, boards 
and other timber, abundant there. This timber would not come to more 
than twelve or fifteen livres, whilst they are purchased at sixty-ei^ht 
livers at Montreal, and sometimes more. Eventually this post will be 
able to supply Fort Frontenac with provisions, which will save the kin"' 
considerable expense. 

The Abbe Picquet adds in his letter, that he examined in his voyage 
the nature of the rapids of the Fort Frontenac river, very important to 
secure to us the possession of Lake Ontario on which the English have 
an eye. The most dangerous of those rapids, in number fourteen, are 
the Trou (the Hole) and the Buisson (the Thicket). Abbe Picquet points 
out a mode of rendering this river navigable ; and to meet the expense 
he proposes a tax of ten livres on each canoe sent up, and an ecu (fifty 
cents) on each of the crew, which according to him will produce three 
thousand livres, a sum sufficient for the workmen. 

Messrs de la Jonquiere and Bigot remark that they find this establish- • 
ment necessary as well as the erection of a saw-mill, as it will diminish 
the expense in the purchase of timber; but as regards the rapids, 
they will verify them in order to ascertain if in fact the river can be ren- 
dered navigable, and they will send an estimate of the works. 

* Ogdensburgh is 105 miles from Montreal; 60 from King:ston, Can., and about £0 from Os- 
■wego. The distances laid down in the text are very accurate, considering the time and the 
circumstances. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 51 

They have caused five cannon of two pound calibre to be sent to the 
Abbe Picquet for his little fort so as to give confidence to his Indians, 
and to persuade them that they will be in seciuity there. 

M. de la Jonquiere in particular says, he will see if the proprietors of 
batteaux would contribute to the expense necessary to be incurred for 
the rapids; but he asks that convicts from the galleys or people out of 
work (gens inutiles) be sent every year to him to cultivate the ground. 
He is in want of men, and the few he has exact high wages. 

1st 8ber, 1749. Mr. Bigot also seiids a special memoir of the expense 
incurred by Abbe Picquet for improvements [defrichemens] amounting to 
three thousand four hundred and eighty-five livres ten sous.* Provisions 
were also furnished him for himself and workmen, and this settlement 
is only commenced. M. de la Jonquiere can not dispense with sending 
an officer tliere and some soldiers. Sieur de la Morandiere, engineer, 
is to be sent there this winter to draw out a plan of quarters for these 
soldiers and a store for provisions. If there be not a garrison at that 
post, a considerable foreign trade will be carried on tliere. 

7tii 9ber 1749. Since all these letters M. de la Jonquiere has written 
another in which he states that M. de Longueuil informed him that a 
band of savages believed to be Mohawks had attaaked Sieur Picquet's 
mission on the twenty-sixth of October last— that Sieur de Vassau, 
commandant of Fort Frontenac, had sent a detachment thither which 
could not prevent the burning of two vessels loaded with hay and 
the palisades of the fort. Abbe Picquet's house alone was saved. 

The loss by this fire is considerable. It would have been greater were 
it not for four Abeuakis who furnished on this occasion a proof of there 
fidelity. The man named Perdreaux had half the hand carried away. 
His arm had to !)e cut off. One of the Abenakis received the discharge 
of a gun the ball of which remained in his blanket. 

M. de Longueil has provided everything necessary. M. de la Jon- 
quiere gave him orders to have a detachment of ten soldiers sent there, 
and he will take measures, next spring, to secure that post. M. de la 
Jonquiere adds that the savages were instigated to this attack by the 
English. The Iroquois who were on a com[)limentary visit at Montreal 
were surprized at it, and assured M. de Longueuil that it could only he 
Colonel Amson [Johnson ?] who could have induced them. He omitted 
nothing to persuade those same Iroquois to undertake this expedition, 
and to prevent them going to compliment the governor, having offered 
them belts which they refused. 

To induce the natives to settle here, the governor is said to have placed 
a large magazine of all kinds of clothing fitted for Indians, as also arms, 
provisions and ammunition, which were distributed very liberally among 
them. 

Father Picquet having fortified his position in the year 1751, com- 
menced the erection of a saw mill for the use of his settlement and the 
government. 

In a document entitled " Titles and documents relating to the seignorial 
tenure," made to the Legislative Assembly of Canada in 1851, and pub- 
lished at Quebec in 1852, is a copy of the Fi-ench grant to him. It ia 
taken from pages 299 and 300, and runs as follows : 
* Equal to f C53-23. 

4 



62 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

" Le Marquis de Lajonqufeke, &c. 
Francois Bigot, &lc. 

On the representatfou made to us by Monsienr I'Abbe Pjqnet, priest, 
missionary of" the Indians of La Presentation, that in virtue of the per- 
mission Aviiieh we gave hiin last year, he is buikling a savv-miil on the 
river called La Presentation or Souegatzy, witli the view of contriiiuting 
to the establishment of that new mission; but that for the usefulness vi 
the said mill, it is necessary that there should be attached thereto a tract 
of land in the neigJiborhood, on which to receive the saw-logs, as well as 
the boards and other lumber : whereibre he prays tiiat we would grant 
him a concession en censive of one arpent* and a half in front on the said 
river, that is to say, three-fourths of an arpent on each side of the said 
mill, by one arpent and a half in depth, having regard to the premises. 

We, in virtue of the power jointly entrusted to us by His Majesty, have 
given, granted and conceded, and by these presents do give, grant and 
concede unto the Abbe Piquet the said extent of land of one arpent and 
a half in front, by the same depth, as herein above described : to have 
and to hold the said unto him and his assigns in full property for ever, 
on condition that the said tract of land, and the mill erected thereon, cau 
not be sold or given to any person holding in mortmain {gens de main 
morte), in which case His Majesty shall reenter pleno jure into tlie posses- 
sion of the said tract of land and mill; also on condition of the yearly 
payment of five sols of rente and six deniers oi'cens, payable to His Majesty's 
domain, on the festival day of St, Remy, the fiist of October each j'ear, 
the first payment of which shall be due on the 1st October of next year, 
1752; the said cens bearing profit of lods et rentes, saisine et amende, agree- 
ably to the custom of Paris followed in this country; and that he shall 
have these presents confirmed within one year. ^ 

In testimony whereof, &c. 

At Quebec, the 10th of October 1751. 

Signed, LAJONQUIERE, and 
BIGOT. 

True Copy. 

BIGOT. 

It is rendered probable, from a comparison of dates, that Picquet on this 
occasion of his visit, took along with him a deputation of his neophites? 
to present them to the'governor, as is shown by the following documents, 
which explains the object of their journey (Paris Doc. X, p. 264,e< seq.). 

Speech of the Iroquois of the Five JVations, established at la Presentation, 
at Quebec, September 20, 1751, 

SPEECH OF THE SAVAGES. REPLY OF MONSIEUR THE GENERAL. 

1. 1. 

God has favored us with good I am pleased, my children, to see 
weather yesterday, to enable us to you. I thank you for the interest 
arrive salely to see you; we are a you express for ray health, 
people who come from the foot of , 

the islands; we rejoice to find you 
io good health. These are chiefs 
and warriors, who have come to 
wish you much happiness. 

* An arpent is a hundred perches of land, eighteen feet to the perch, or about three quarters 
of oa acre. This i$ an old French land Qieasvii<, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



53 



We have not the talent of French- 
men. We are savages ; and we 
pray you to pardon us, if our ex- 
pressions are not couched in appro- 
priate language. 



We are like new-born children. 
We have heard speak of the attack 
which has been made upon the 
people -of the Saut, and we have 
made every effort tiiat was possil)le 
to ascertain who were the authors 
of the attack. 

4. 

We have heard that it was the 
Clieraquis ; and we ask if it is 
jour will that we raise the hatchet 
to attack theui : tiiey have destroyed 
those of our owu blood; our bro- 
thers, the people of the Saut, of 
the lake, and all who are under 
your wings, will unite with us. 
5. 

As you desii-e us to do, so we 
will act; we are, as it were, born 
but to day, and have embraced the 
faith. Our young warriors who 
have taken refuge amongst us, are 
at leisure, and desirous to strike, if 
you promote our Mission. 

We must avenge the death of our 
brethren, after which, our Mission 
will increase more and more. Our 
father who instructs us, is as em- 
barrassed as ourselves. He wit- 
nesses the arrival of young warriors 
who are anxious to set out on the 
war path the next morning. 

By a Belt. 

6. 
We beg you to be assured, that 
we think like the French; we exe- 
cute our projects; and we assure 
you by this belt, that we ^vill set 
off' at the breaking uf) of the ice, 
hatchet iu hand, to strike the blow. 



I know that you are still young, 
and not yet able to be great orators. 
I am meanwhile very well satisfied 
with your harangue. It is very well 
spoken. You can not fail to ac- 
quire greater abilities by becoming 
identified with our interests, and 
in doing whatever M. I'Abh^ Pic- 
quet shall direct you, for the service 
of the king, iny master. 
3. 

You can not but bewail the fate 
of your brethren at the Saut St. 
Louis, who have experienced a 
melancholy fate. I mourn for them 
equally with you. 



I can not disapprove of your 
raising the hatchet, to go and smite 
the Cheraques, wlio jiave stained 
their hands with the blood of your 
brethren ; your brothers of the saut, 
of the lake, and all those who are 
under my wings, will afford me a 
pleasure by uniting with you. 
5. 

I agree that you ought not to 
defer striking this blow, and I re- 
peat, that I consent to it. And you 
ought not to omit any thing that 
will tend to increase your village, 
and afford me proofs of the zeal 
which you evince in favor of i*eli- 
gion. 



I am very glad that you exhibit a 
constancy in your i)roject, and that 
you will execute it. I receive your 
belt with pleasure, and I return you 
one, to assure you that at the 
breaking up of the ice, I will have 
the powder and lead furnished you 
which you require. 



54 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



7. 

You now know the sentiments 
of your children, of La Presenta- 
tion. You know we possess no- 
thing. We throw ourselves into 
your arms. You know we are 
without weapons; yet we ask you 
for nothinij. We leave you to in- 
fer what we require for the expe- 
drtion which we are about to under- 
take. 

Our skin is tender ; we see the 
snows which will not delay to fall 
upon the mountains ; if we have 
not mittens, we shall freeze with 
the cold, and our nails will fall off. 



I do not wish to weary you. I 
wish to depai-t in two days. 

You know that the Five Nations 
are numerous. I wish to make an 
effort to assemble all those that it 
may be possible, to augment our 
village. 

I cast my body into your hand. 
I wish to die for my dear Onontio 
Gwa. 

9. 

We have spoken to you, upon 
your word, and upon that of Mon- 
sieur the Bishop, to engage to in- 
crease our Mission. All those who 
have come to join our village, are 
under the hope that you will give 
us some utensils to assist us. 

10. 

If we were in a more comfort- 
able situation, our village would 
sensibly increase. We want 37 
brass kettles ; our women make 
this i-equesi. 



By a Belt. 

I give you also this belt, by which 
I wish to bind myself to you ; pre- 
sent it to the people of tlie saut, to 
the Iroquois of the Five Nations, 
and to all those who are under my 
wings. I bind them to you, that 
they may not sepai-ate themselves ' 
from it, until you shall have avenged 
the blood of your brethren. 

7. 

I open my arms to receive you. 
I repeat fi'om the feeling of my 
heart, that I will provide for all 
your necessities. You see from 
others who ai-e present, that I have 
done to them all you solicit for 
yourselves. 



8. 

You do well to resolve to induce 
your brothers of the Five Nations 
to join you, and settle in your vil- 
lage. 



There are quantities of these in 
the arsenals of the king at La Pre- 
sentation. Monsieur the Abb6 Pic- 
quet will take care of your brothers, 
when they arrive at your mission. 



10. , 

I will not forget your women; 
there are the kettles which they 
ask. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 55 

The attempt of the French to establish a mission at Oswegatchie na- 
turally excited the jealousies of the English, Avhose relations with their 
Canadian neighbors were every day tending to open hostilities. The 
industry of the French in founding establishments among the Indian 
tribes at this period, sufficiently evinces the anxiety they felt to secure the 
interest and influence of the savages, to the prejudice of the English 
colonies. The following communication from Lieut. Lindesay to Col. 
Johnson relates to the station at Swegage, or La Presentation, shortly 

before founded. 

Oswego, 15th July, 1751. 

" This day came here from Niagra the Bunt and the Black Prince's son, 
with their fighters. He first gave me an account how it had fared with 
them : told me he found two forts built by the Fi'ench since he went 
out; one at Nigra, carrying place, and the other by John Cair on the 
river Ohieo. He said he heard a bird sing that a great many Indians 
from his castle, and others from the five nations, wei'e gone to Swegage : 
all this, he said, grived him, and he saw things going very wrong; and 
if a stop was not put to it, the five nations wou'd be ruined soon. He 
said he was come home, for he lookt on this place as such : that he was 
both hungry and poor; and hoped, as I represented the Governor and 
Coll. Johnson here, I would assist him in a little provisions and clothing 
to his fighters. I told him was sorrey for the loss he had sustained, but 
was glad to find his thoughts and mine the same as to the French's 
building forts, and the Indians going to Swegage; and told him how 
wrong it was in our Indjans going to Cannada, and the consequencess that 
would attend it, in the best light I could. He agreed with me in all I 
said, and promised to do everything in his power to have things better 
managed, and likewise promised in the strongest terms to all Coll. John- 
son would desire of him. I gave him provisions and cloathing, &c. for 
bis people, to the ualue of five pounds above what he gave me when he 
spoke, which was three be vers. 

27th. This day came the Couse, and some other Sinaka sacham, in 
order to go to Cannada. He came to see me, and told me he was sent 
by the cousentof the five nations to go to the Govn. of Cannada about the 
building the above said two forts, &.c. I told him the consequence of 
Indjans going there; but as he is intirely French, all I said was to no 
purpose, though he seem'd to own the force of what I said, as all the other 
Indjans did, and I belive all but him might have been stopt; but as things 
are, I could do no more. 

Bjr. all the Indjans that have been here, I find the French army landed 
at Nigra about the 26th July, in 20 large canoes, to the number of 250 or 
300 French, with 200 Arondaks and Annogongers : they are to gather 
all the Indians as they pase, and allso French, and will at least amount to 
1000 or 1200 French and Indjans. Their designs is to drive the English 
of that are at or near Ohieo, and oblidge the Meomies to come and live 
whe|fc they shall order them. All the Indjans who have been here, say 
they and all Indians are to join them. While the Bunt was here, I had 
him always with me, and did all lay in my powar to oblidge him. He 
showed the greatist sence of it, and said he would allways do what I 
asked, as he allways had done. He is much inclined to us; and am 
convinced that if Coll. Johnson sends for him, he will come and take 
our affairs in hand hertily ; and I think he hath it more in his powar then 
any to bring things to rights, nor is it to be done without bira. This is 



56 HISTORY GF ST. LAWRENCE 

my sentiments, and 1 iiope you will pardon my liberty in giveing them. 
If you approve of wliat I have said, and desire me to bring him down 
witii trie, lie do my indeavours, and he never yet hath refused what I 
asked of liim. There are some French here, who mett the army about 
hundred miles to tlie west of Nigra. JOHN LINDESAY. * 

To the Honourable Coll. Wm. Johnson."* 

On the 19th of June 1754, there assembled at Albany the celebrated 
Congress of Reiiresentatives from the several English colonies, to agree 
upon a plan q/wnjon, for the common defence against the encroachments 
of the French, and the hostilities of the Indians who werejncited by them 
to make inroads upon the back settlements of the English. Among the 
commissioners from the several colonies, appeared those who afterwards 
shone with distinguished reputation in the revolutionary war; and none 
more so than Benjamin Franklin. 

The measure which was the great object of this congress ultimately, 
failed, from its strong republican tendency, which alarmed the minions 
of royalty then in j)ower; but several points of interest were discussed, 
which have a direct relation with our subject. In the representation of 
the Jiffairs of the colonies which was agreed upon, were the following 
statements : 

" That the Lake Champlain, formerly called Lake Iroquois, and the 
country southward of it as far as the Dutch or English settlements, the 
Lnkes Ontario, Erie, and all the coimtries adjacent, have, by all ancient 
antliors, French and English, been allowed to belong to the Five Cantons 
or Nations; and the whole of these countries, long before the treaty of 
Utrecht, were by said nations put under the protection of the Crown of 
Great Britain. * * * 

" That they [the French] are continually drawing off the Indians from 
the British interest, and have lately persuaded one half of the Onondaga 
tribe, with many from the other nations along with them, to remove to a 
] lace called Oswegatchie, on the River Cadaraqni, where they have built 
them a church and fort; and many of the Senecas, the most numerous 
nation appear wavering, and rather inclined to the French; and it is a 
melancholy consideration that not more than 150 irjen of all the several 
nations have attended this treaty, although they had notice that all the 
governments would be here by their commissioners, and that a large 
present would be given."f 

Hendrick the Mohawk chief, the warrior and orator, and ever the firm 
friend of the English, endeavored to dissuade the confederates of New 
York from joining the settlement at Oswegatchie ; and at a conference 
of the Indian tribes with Sir William Johnson, held at Mount Johj^on, 
Septendjer 24th, 1753, he thus addressed them in a sjieech replete with 
native eloquence and rhetorical ornament: 

* See Doc. Hist. New York, Vol. 2, p. G33. 

t A full account of the proceedings of this congress will be found in the 2d vol. Doc, HiM. 
of Itfew York) pp. 345 ^ 617. < 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 57 

" It grieves me soreiy to find the road hither so grown up with weeds 
for want of being used, and your fire almost expiring at Onondaga, 
wliere it was agreed by the wisdom of our ancestors that it shouhl never 
be extinguished. You know it was a saying among them, that when the 
fire was out here, you would be no longer a people. 

I am now sent by your brother, the Governor, to clear the road, and 
make up the fire with such wood as will never burn out; and I earnestly 
desire you will take care to keep it up, so as to be found always the same 
when he shall send among you. — A belt. 

I have now renewed the fire, swept and cleared all your rooms with 
a new white wing, and leave it hanging near the fireplace, that you may 
use it for cleaning all dust, dirt, &c. which may have been brought in by 
strangers, no friends to you or us. — A string of wampum. 

I am sorry to find, on my arrival among you, that the tine shady tree 
which was planted by your forefathers for your ease and shelter, should 
be now leaning, being almost blown down by northerly winds. I shall 
now endeavor to set it upright, that it may flourish as formerly, while its 
roots spread abroad, so that when we sit or stand on them, you will feel 
them shake : should any storm blow, then should you be ready to secure 
it.— A belt. 

Your fire now burns clearly at the old place. The tree of shelter and 
protection is set up and flourishes. I must now insist upon your quench- 
ing that fire made with brambles at Swegachey, and recall those to their 
proper home who have deserted thither. 1 can not leave dissuading 
you from going to Canada; the French are a delursive people, always 
endeavoring to divide you as much as they can, nor will they let slip 
any opportunity of making advantage of it. 'Tis formidable news we 
hear that the French are making a descent upon the Ohio: "Is it with 
your consent or leave that they proceed in this extraordinary manner, 
endeavoring by force of arms to dispossess your own native allies, as 
well as your bretheren, the English, and establishing themselves?" 
* *' * A large bell. 

At a general meeting of the Six Nations, held at Onondaga, they re- 
plied to the foregoing speech and that of the governor, through their 
speaker Red Head, as follows: 

" We acknowledge with equal concern with you that the road between 
us has been obstructed, and almost grown up with weeds; that our fire 
is scattered and almost extinct. We return you our most liearty thanks 
for recruiting the fire with such wood as will bui-n clear, and not go out; 
and we promise that we shall, with the utmost care, dress and keep ii 
up, as we are sensible frofn what has been said by our forefathers, that 
the neglect of it would be our ruin. A belt. 

" We know very well the use of the white wing you recommended, 
and are determined to use it to sweep out whatever may hinder the fire 
from burning with a pure flame. A string. 

" You may depend upon our care in detending the tree which you 

,r> replanted from the inclemency of the high winds from Canada. 

. ■;; full of acknowledgments for your care and admonitions, and 

-Hired we shall watch every threatening cloud from thence, that 

i'!iy be ready to prop it up. A belt. 

• e rejoice that we see the fire burn pure where it should do; the 

' f shelter look strong and flourishing. And you may depend upon 

lenching that false fire at Swegachey, and doing all we can to re- 

ir brothers, too often seduced that way. Tho' we did not conceive 



58 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

we had done so mnch amiss in going thither, when we observe that 
you white people pray, and we had no nearer place to learn to pray, and 
have our children baptized than that. However, as you insist upon it, 
we will not go that way nor be any more divided. I must now say it is 
not with our consent that the French have committed any hostilities in 
Ohio. We know what you Christians, English and French together, 
intend. We are so henmied in by both that we have hardly a hunting 
place left. In a little while, if we find a bear in a tree, there will im- 
mediately appear an owner of the land to challenge the property and 
hinder us from killing it, which is our livelihood. We are so perplexed 
between both that we hardly know what to say or think." A belt. 

The sentiment expressed at the close of this last address, is so true 
and so melancholy, that it can not fail to excite our S3'mpathy at the fate 
of the unfortunate race of which, and by which, it was spoken. The 
unlettered savages, in the simplicity of artless nature, and prompted by 
a sentiment of benevolence which has been but illy requited, admitted 
the European settlers to their lands, and proffered the hand of friendship. 
When once established, the whites finding themselves superior to their 
rude neighbors in the arts of trade, failed not in most instances, to avail 
themselves of this advantage, and overreach them in trafiic, corrupt their 
morals, and impart to them the vices, without the benefits of civilization. 

Under these influences, the presage of the orator just quoted has been 
soon and sadly realized, and the red man has retreated before the march 
of that civilization which he could not adopt, and those habits of indus- 
try which are at variance with his nature. 

Like the wild flower that flourishes only in the shade, and withers in 
the sun as soon as its primitive thicket is gone, the race has vanished, 
leaving the homes and the graves of their ancestors for the wildness of 
the western forests, whence in a few years they must again retreat, until 
the last of the race has disappeared. 

In an account of a military expedition consisting of a French regiment 
under de Bearre, which ascended the St. Lawrence in 1755, for the pur- 
pose of promoting the military operations which the French were carry- 
ing on at that time along the great lakes and western rivers, we find the 
following description of the works at la Presentation, [See Paris Docu- 
ments, vol. X, p. 213.] 

" On the 28th [of July, 1755,] ascended the two Galos rapids which 
are dangerous, doubled the point a Livrogne, and crossed from the north 
to the south, to encamp under Fort Presentation, which is six [ ?] leagues 
from the end of the rapids. This fort consists of four battlements, in 
the form of bastions, of which the curtains are palisades. It is sufii- 
cient to resist savages, but could be but poorly defended against troops 
who might attack it, and who could easily succeed. On the 29th, 
doubled two points, notwithstanding the wind blew with violence against 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 69 

us, and encamped upon point aux Barils, at three leagues. On the 30th, 
passed the Thousand Islands, the River Toniata, and camped on an 
island very poorly adapted for the purpose, opposite a small strait a dis- 
tance of seven leagues. On the 31st, crossed two large bays. Met in 
the former two canoes coming from Detroit, the conductors of whom 
said that the English had been defeated on the Ohio." 

The Abbe Picquet joined this expedition with thirty-eight of his war- 
riors, on the l^th of September, who desired to accompany the expedi- 
tion to make prisoners at Chouagen. He left on the 16th, and rejoined 
at the Isle of Tonti. 

On the 25th, his savages brought in two prisoners, having slain three 
who resisted them. These prisoners informed them that the fort at 
Oswego had been largely reinforced. Picquet left on the 26th to take 
his savages and his prisoners to Montreal to M. de Vaudreuil. 

At the attack upon Fort George, which resulted in its capitulation, 
under Lt. Col. Munro, Aug. 9, 1757, a comi)any of Iroquois warriors 
were present, under the command of De Longueil Sabervois. The Abbe 
Picquet, Sulpician missionary, is also enumerated as among the French 
force. 

The" savages were cunning politicians, and proved themselves often- 
times veiy willing to take sides with the strongest party, as is shown by 
the following address, which was returned to them by the governor- 
general of Canada, on an occasion in which they had sent him an ad- 
dress, by the hands of their friends the Oswegatchies ; having, for some 
reason not related, chosen this indirect method of tendering their alle- 
giance to the French, probably in consequence of the advantages which 
the latter had gained over the English, by the defeat of Bradock. 

The address of the natives is not presei-ved, but that of the governor 
in reply to it, is given below, from which its nature and tenor may be 
ascertained. 

We translate it from the eleventh volume of the Paris Documents, 
page 247, in the department of the Secretary of State, at Albany. 

"JJepZ?/ of M. the Marquis de Vaudreuil^ to the loords which the Five 
JVations, sent him by their Deputies of the Mission of La Presentation, 
Oct. 22, 1755: 

My Children of the Five Nations, 

I have listened attentively to the words you have addressed me by 
my children of la Presentation. You can not have better orators than 
those of this village, who knowing my sentiments to you, have had the 
goodness to bring me your belts, and to inform me of all which you 
have said. 

I am now about to reply to your three worda 



60 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

riRST WORD. 

Yon assure me, my children, hy your first belt, not only of your neu- 
trality, but even that you have embraced the good cause, and that nothing 
shalloccur to sei)arate you from it. You reply to me, concerning your 
yoiuig men, but you pray me not to ensanguine the land which you 
inhabit. 

BT A BELT. 

It appears, my chi>dren, that you know all the extent of my care for 
you, and that you are persuaded that it will be easy for you to influence 
iine. You are right. If I should treat you as you deserve, I should re- 
ject your belt, and in place of being so complaisant as to answer you, I 
should prove to you the force of my resentment, which your treachery 
has deserved. But I see you are well convinced that my care exceeds 
all you had a right to expect. 

If your sentiments towards me were as sincere as those of mine for 
you, you would blush at having a single thought of announcing your 
jieutrality. Should children be neutral in what concerns their father? 
Surely you do not speak from the bottom of your hearts, and I ought to 
be persuaded that you really are beside yourselves: no matter — you 
wish to be neutral — be so. 

I can not believe you have espoused the good cause. Ought you ever 
to have abandoned it? Have you not had, on the contrary, every reason 
to occupy yourselves on the part of the French ? Have they ever in- 
duced you to commit the least thing against any one ? 

Have I not always assisted| you in your wants, and by my councils in 
all your affairs? 

In what have you profited thereby ? You are ungrateful children, and 
it is with difficulty that I can restore you to your senses. You have 
been erring too far, and I can truly say, that you are no longer in the 
possession of your senses, for you have been robbed of these by the 
most cruel of your enemies. 

You beg me not to ensanguine the land that you inhabit. What cause 
have you to make such a prayer? Have I any other business, than the 
preservation of it for you ? Had it not been on account of kindness to 
you, I should have driven you away. 

If you have not lost your senses, you should have thanked me for all 
I have done for you. In short, I retain your belt, not to recall to my 
mind the subject which induced you to send it, but because it comes 
from you, and you have still a place in my heart. I give you one that 
you may carry into all your villages, to make known to all my children, 
that I cease not to be their father, and expect that they will not delay to 
give me proof that they continue to be my children. 

SECOND WORD. 

You acknowledge, my children, that you have accepted the hatchet of 
the English, but that, having considered the alliance made with the 
French from time immemorial, you have rejected it, for no other reason, 
than to attach yourselves to the good cause. You pray me not to impute 
any thing to you of present affairs, and that nothing can induce you to 
conceal the belt which you have accepted. 

BY A BELT. 

Of all the proofs which you have received of my care, I desire, to- 
day, to give you one greater than you could have desired, in the accept^ 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 61 

ance of your belt, with the only view of recalling on all occasions, that 
you have been unnatural children, and that you have taken up the 
hatchet against your fatlicr, and that, from pity towards a ou, I have not 
visited you with tlie punislimerit which your black conduct deserved. 

In vain you recall your alliance with the French, if I were not dis- 
posed tovvards you as a father full of goodness. Vou would have for- 
leited all the advantages which this alliance obtained for you on every 
occasion, from the moment that you renounced it by the most criminal 
treason; and scarcely had you taken the hatchet against me, than my 
children Mould have eaten and torn you with their teeth, even to the 
nian-ow of the bones, had I not restrained tlieni : lor it would have been 
of no use for you to tell them, that you had thrown away the hatchet, 
not wishing to be longer occupied in the good affairs. 

How can you ju-ay me to impute nothing to you of present affairs? 
Have you forgotten all that you have done, and do you think that I am 
ignorant of it? 

No. Truly you are well persuaded that I have been a witness to your 
conduct, and that 1 have followed you in all your steps: that 1 have seen 
you ; that I have heard you. Do you doubt that I have in my power the 
papers of general Bradock? I have the very words you have given; I 
have also your solemn council with colonel Johnson. j\!y children of 
the upper country have always reported to me their words and their 
belts, whiclj you, instead, have carried to your euemies and mine; but 
I forbear to repeat them. 

You say that nothing could induce you to sully the belt which j-ou 
have renewed. Ought I to believe it? How many times have you not 
deceived me? And how many times have you not obtained your 
pardon ? 

The belt which j^ou have renewed is the ordinary means for recalling 
my goodness. You have too often tarnished it by your repeated trea- 
sons. I desire to establish it by that which I give you. Take good care 
of it, together. 3Iake feasts from village to village, and from cabin to 
cabin, and proclaim daily, that you have had the misfortune to betray the 
best of fathers; that you desei-ved death, but found grace. 

THIRD WORD. 

You offer a condolence on the death of the officers who have been 
killed at the Ohio river, and at the portage of Lake St. Sacrament, par- 
ticularly M. de Longueuil. lu the mean time you say that you will be 
able to go down to avenge them yourselves. 

BY A BELT. 

How ought I to receive your belt? Will it not be with reason as an 
acknowledgment on your part, that it was yourselves, tho five nations, 
who have killed these officers? Will I not be right to make pass from 
nation to nation, this belt, to arouse the vengeance of my children? Can 
you reasonably think that I have not seen the arms in hand against me? 
Have I not been a witness of all yonr actions; and that none of you 
would have been actually alive, if I had not exercised all my authority 
to arrest my children, who in their fury would have slaughtered you, 
your wives aiul children, and have ruined the land which you inhabit? 

Ought you not to be overwhelmed at my great generosity! I receive 
your belt; but it is for you to exhil)it upon ail occasions that the French 
blood which you have sheil unjustly, cries for vengeance u|)on you, and 
that at the first transgression you will be broughf to submit to the lot 
which you have for so long a time deserved^ 



62 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

I give j^oii this belt, in order that that which I have said may be in- 
delible in your memories. Repeat it daily to your old men and j'our 
warriors, to your women and to your children, that they may never forget 
it; that they may one and all bewail their transgressions, and endeavor 
equally to repair them. 

As regards M. the Baron de Longueuil, is this the time to do honor to 
his death? If your grief and regrets at his death had been sincere, would 
you have delayed till the present moment to come and give proofs of it? 
How often have you caused to be announced your departure to come and 
condole the death of this governor? Why do you differ? 

If you wish to tell the truth, it is the evil spirit that prevents you. You 
have been too slow in coming to see me. You have been ashamed, and 
too negligent. You dared not to appeal", because you knew yourselves 
to be guilty. Never mind : I receive you; and if you give me perfect 
proofs of your repentance of your crimes, and you avenge them upon 
those who have been at their root, and their true authors, your brothers 
and the domiciliated races, and the nations of the upper country, will 
continue to be your brothers and friends. * * * 

Recall the memory of your ancestors, who possessed courage, and who 
gave on all occasions proofs of their good conduct. Learn from the old 
men of the age in which you live, concerning the times of my father, 
whom 3'ou loved as myself Hear my word, as I hey heard his, and you 
will enjoy the most profound peace and tranquility. 

Father Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, Commander of the Royal and 
Military Order of St. Louis, Governor and Lieutenant General for the 
King in all New France and the land and country of Louisiana. 

We certify that the present copy is in conformity with the original 
remaining in our office : in testimony of which, we have signed these 
presents, and have sealed it with the sealof our arms, and countersigned 
by our secretary. 

Done at Montreal, the 13th of February 1758. 

Signed : VAUDREUIL." 

An embassy of the Five Nations, held an interview with M. de Mont- 
calm, on the 24th of April, 1757, to which measure they were inclined 
from the successes of the French in the last campaign, which resulted 
in the capture of Oswego. This council was addressed by orators from 
each of the Indian tribes, but a passage occurs in the original account of 
this council,* which is important as showing the standing of the Oswe- 
gatchies among their Indian neighbors at that period: 

" There were also in attendance, the Iroquois of la Presentation, who 
were present at all the deliberations, but spoke not separately and in 
their own name. The reason was that they had been domiciled but a 
short time ; they regarded themselves still as the "/a^ enrfs," [natte] of 
the Iroquois, who call the village of la Presentation the tail of the Five 
Nations." In a note to this in the original, this mission is mentioned as 
having been founded by the zeal of the Abb6 Picquet, a Sulpician, and 
as equally important for religion as for the state. 

• Paris Documents, vol. XIII, p. 124. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 63 

An interesting picture of the domestic life of the Oswegatchies, is 
given in the following extract from a narrative of a residence among 
them, which may be found entire in Drake's Indian Captivities. 

Robert Eastburrij a tradesman, while in company with others, on their 
way to Oswego, in March, 1756, while stopping at Captain Williams's 
fort, at the carrying place, near the present village of Rome, was taken 
captive by the Osvvegatchie Indians, and kept for sometime at their vil- 
lage near Fort Presentation, the site of Ogdensburgh. 

The attacking party consisted of four hundred French, and three 
hundred Indians, commanded by one of the principal gentlemen of 
Quebec, and accompanied by a priest, probably Father Picquet. 

The prisoners numbered eighteen or twenty, and their route led 
through Lewis and Jefferson counties, to Lake Ontario, and thence to 
the post at the mouth of the Oswegatchie. 

They were seven days in reaching the lake, and suffered greatly from 
want of provisions. On the 4th of April, they were met by several 
French bateaux, with a supply of provisions, and having crossed the 
mouth of a river where it empties into the east end of Lake Ontario, a 
great part of the company set off on foot towards Oswegatchie, while 
the rest proceeded by bateaux down the St. Lawrence. The adventures 
with which the party met, are best gi^i in the language of the original 
narrative : 

"By reason of bad weather, wind, rain, and snow, whereby the waters 
of the lake were troubled, we were obliged to lay by, and haul our bat- 
teaux on shore. Here I lay on the cold shore two days. Tuesday, set 
off and entered the head of St. Lawrence in the afternoon; came too, 
late at night, made fires, but did not lie down to sleep. Embarking long 
before day, and after some mile's progress down the river, saw many 
fires on our right hand, which were made by the men who left us, and 
went by land. With them we staid till day, and then embarked in our 
batteaux. The weather was very bad, (it snowed fast all day) ; near night 
we arrived at Oswegatcby. I was almost starved to death, but hoped to 
stay in this Indian town till warm weather; slept in an Indian wigwam, 
rose early in the morning, (being Thursday,) and soon to my grief dis- 
covered my disappointment. 

Several of the prisoners had leave to tarry here, but I must go two 
hundred miles further down stream, to another Indian town. The 
morning being extremely cold, I applied to a French merchant or trader 
for some old rags of clothing, for I was almost naked, but to no purpose. 
About ten o'clock, I was ordered into a boat, to go down the river, with 
eight or nine Indians, one of whom was the man wounded in the skir- 
mish above mentioned.* 

At night we went on shore ; the snow" being much deeper than before, 
we cleared it away and made a large fire. Here, when the wounded 
Indian cast his eyes upon me, his old grudge revived, he took my 
blanket from me, and commanded me to dance around the fire barefoot, 

•Referring to a portion of the narrative not quoted. 



64 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and sing the prisoner's song, which 1 utterly refused. This surprised 
one of my fellow prisoners, who told me they would put me to death, 
for he understood what they said. He therefore, tried to persuade me 
to comply, hut I desired him to let me alone, and was through great 
mercy, enabled to reject his importunity with abhorrence. 

This Indian also continued urging, saying, 'you shall dance and sing;' 
but apprehending my compliauce sinful, I determined to persist in de- 
clining it at all adventures, and leave the issue to the divine disposal. 
The Indian perceiving his orders disobeyed, was fired with indignation, 
and endeavored to push me into the fire, which I leaped over, and he, 
being weak with his wounds, and not being assisted by any of his 
brethren, was obliged to desist. For this gracious interposure of Provi- 
dence, in preserving me both from sin and danger, 1 desire to bless God 
while I live. 

Friday morning, I was almost perished with cold. Saturday, we pro- 
ceeded on our way, and soon came in sight of the ujjper part of the 
settlements of Canada." 

The party continued their journey towards Canasadosega, and on the 
route the wounded Indian, assisted by a French inhabitant, endeavored 
again to compel Eastburn to dance and sing, but with no better success 
than before. On arriving at the town which was thirty miles northwest 
of Montreal, he was c< mpelled to run the gauntlet, and was saved from 
destruction only through the interposition of the women. Being assigned 
to an Indian family at Oswegalch}', in which he was adopted, lie set off 
on his retin-n, and after a tedioim and miserable voyage of several days, 
arrived within three miles of the town, on the opposite side of the river. 
The Oswegatchies inhabited the site of Johnstown until removed to 
Indian Point, in Lisbon, by Lord Dorchester, as stated elsewhere in the 
letters of Judge Ford. 

The language of the narrative will be here resumed: 

" Here I was to be adopted. My father and mother whom I had never 
seen before, wei'e waiting, and ordered me into anindian house, where 
we were directed to sit down silent lor a considerable time. The Indians 
ai)peared very sad, and my mother began to cry, and continued to cry 
aloud for some time, and then dried up her tears, and received me for 
her son, and took me over the river to the Indian town. The next day 
I was ordered to go to mass with them, but I refused once and again; 
yet they continued their importunities several days. Seeing they could 
not jjrevail with me they seemed much displeased with their new son. 
I was then sent over the river to be employed in hard labor, as a punish- 
ment for not going to mass, and not allowed a sight of, or any conversa- 
tion with, my fellow prisoners. The old Indian man with whom I was 
ordered to work, had a wife and children. He took me into the woods 
with him, and made signs for me to chop, and he soon saw that I could 
handle tlie axe. Here I tried to reconcile myself to ihis employ, that 
they might liave no occasion against me, except concerning the law of 
my God. The old man began to appear kind, and his wife gave me 
milk and bread when we came home, and when she got fish, ga\;e me 
the gills to eat, out of real kindness; but perceiving I did not like them, 
gave me my own choice, and behaved lovingly. When we had finished 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 65 

onr fence, which liad employed* us about a week, I showed the old 
squaw my shirt, (having worn it from the time when I was first taken 
prisoner, whicli was ahout seAen weeks,) all rags, dirt, and vermin. 
She brought me a new one, with ruffled sleeves, saying 'that is good,' 
which I thankfully accepted. The next day they carried me hack to 
the Indian town, and permitted me to converse with my fellow prisoners. 
They told me we were all to be sent to Montreal, which accordingly 
came to pass." 

At a grand council held at Montreal, Eastburn mentions a noted priest 
called Picquet, "who understood the Indian tongue well, and did more 
harm to the English than any other of his order in Canada. His dwell- 
ing was at Oswegatchy." 

A plan of operations against Oswego Avas in progress; and great num- 
bers of soldiers were in motion towards Lake Ontario, with bateaux 
laden with provisions and munitions of war. After a painful journey, 
Eastburn arrived again at Oswegatchie ; having received from his adopted 
mother the choice of remaining at Montreal, or returning with her, and 
having chosen the latter alternative as affording the best chance of escape. 
While here, he daily saw many bateaux, with provisions and soldiers, 
passing up to Fort Frontenac ; which greatly distressed him for the safety 
of Oswego, and led him to form a plan for notifying the English of the 
designs of their enemies. 

" To this end, I told two of my fellow-prisoners that it was not a time 
to sleep, and asked them to go with me; to which they heartily agreed. 
But we had no provisions, and wei'e closely eyed by the enemy, so that 
we could not lay up a stock out of our allowance. 

However, at this time, Mr. Picket had concluded to dig a large trench 
round the town. I therefore went to a negro, the principal manager of 
this work (who could speak English, French, and Indian well), and asked 
him if he could get employment for two others and myself; which he 
soon did. For this service we were to have meat [ board ], and wages. 
Here we had a prospect of procuring provision for our flight. This, 
after some time, I obtained for myself, and then asked my brethren if 
they were ready. They said ' they were not yet, but that Ann Bowman 
(our fellow-prisoner) had brought one hundred and thirty dollars from 
Bull's fort [when it was destroyed as has been related], and would give 
.them all they needed.' I told them it was not safe to disclose such a 
secret to her; but they blamed me for entertaining such fears, and applied 
to her for provisions, letting her know our intention. She immediately 
informed the priest of it! We were forthwith apprehended, the Indians 
informed of it. and a court called. Four of us were ordered by this court 
to be confined in a room, under a strong guard, within the fort, for seve- 
ral days. From hence, another and myself were sent to Cohnewago, 



66 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

under a strong guard of sixty Indintfs, to prevent my plotting any more 
against tiie French, and to banish all hope of my escape!" Here he met 
witli unexpected kindness, and lodged at the house of the mother of a 
French smith, whose name was Mary Harris, and had been taken captive 
while a child at Deerfield in New England. 

He soon after went to Montreal; and while there, saw the English 
captives and standards, the trophies of the French victory at Oswego of 
July 15th, 175G, brought into town. Among the prisoners, 1400 in num- 
ber, he recognized his own son. He remained a prisoner about a year 
after, and was at length permitted to leave for England with other pri- 
soners, and finally returned home. 

The memoirs of Father Picquet have been written by M. de la Lande, 
of the Academte des Sciences, and are published in the fourteenth vol- 
ume of a work entitled, " Leltres Edifianles et Curieuses " (Lyons edition, 
1819, J). 262, e< seq.\ from which an abridged translation is published in 
the Documentary History of New York, from which, and from the 
original essay, we derive the following. 

"A missionary remarkable for his zeal, and the services which he has 
rendered to the church and the state, born in the same village as myself, 
and with whom I have enjoyed terms of particular intimacy, has given 
to me a relation of his labors, and I have thought that this notice de- 
served to find a place in the Leltres Edifiantes, having exactly the same 
object as the other articles in that collection, and 1 flatter myself that I 
shall be able to render an honorable testimony to the memory of a com- 
patriot, and of a friend so amiable as M. I'abbe Picquet. 

Francois Picquet, doctor of the Sorborne, King' Missionary and Pre- 
fect Apostolic to Canada, was born at Bourg, in Bresse, on the 6th Dec, 
1708. The ceremonials of the church, from his infancy, were to him so 
engaging, that they seemed to announce his vocation. 

'I'he good instruction which he received from an estimable father, 
seconded by a happy disposition, enabled him to accomplish his earlier 
studies with the approbation of all his superiors, and of his professors, 
although in the dissipation and folly of youth, he was relieved by occu- 
pations altogether foreign to his studies. M. Picquet, in fact, loved to 
test his abilities in various ways, and in this he succeeded; but his first 
pastimes had announced his first preferences, and the church was his 
principal delight. 

As early as the seventeenth year of his age, he successfully com- 
menced the functions of a missionary in his country; and at twenty 
years, the Bishop of Sinope, Suffi-agan of the Diocese of Lyon, gave 
him, by a flattering exception, permission to preach in all the parishes of 
Bresse and Franche-Comte which depended on his diocese. The 
enthusiasm of his new state rendered him desirous to go to Rome, but 
the Archbishop of Lyons advised him to study theology at Paris. He 
followed this advice, and entered the congregation of St. Sulpice. The 
direction of the new converts was soon proposed to him ; but the activity 
of his zeal induced him to seek a wider field, and led him beyond the 
seas in 1733, to the missions of North America, where he remained 
thirty years, and where his constitution, debilitated by labor, acquired a 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 67 

force and vigor, which secured for hitn a robust health to the end of his 
hfe. 

After having for sometime labored at Montreal, in common with other 
missionaries, he desired to undertake some new enterprise, by which 
France ir)ight ])rofit by restoring peace to our vast colonies. 

About 1740, he established himself at the Lake of Tivo Mountains,* to 
the North of Montreal, to draw the Algonquins, the Nipissiugs, and the 
savages of the lake Temiscaming to the head of the colony, and upon 
the route of all the nations of the north, which descend by the great 
river of Michilimakina, to Lake Huron. 

There had been an ancient mission upon the Lake of Two Mountains, 
but it had been abandoned. M. Picquet took advantage of the peace 
which the country l^en enjoyed, in constructing a stone fort. TJiis fort 
commanded the villages of the four nations, which composed the mission 
of the lake. He next caused a palisade to be built around each of the 
villages, of cedar posts, flanked by good redoubts. The King defrayed 
half of this expense; the missionaries incurred the rest by labor. 

He there fixed the two nomadic nations of the Algonquins and the 
Nipissings, and caused them to build a fine village, and to sow and reap; 
a thing before regarded as next to impossible. These two nations, in the 
event, were first to give succor to the French. The pleasure which they 
experienced in this establishment attached them to France, and the 
king, in whose name M. Picquet procured them assistance in money, in 
provisions, and all that the wants of these two nations required. 

He there erected a Calvary, which was the finest monument of religion 
in Canada, by the grandeur of the crosses which were planted upon the 
summit of one of the two mountains, by the different chapels and the 
different oratories, all alike built of stone, arched, ornamented with 
pictures, and distributed in stations for the space of three quarters of a 
league. 

He here endeavored to gain an exact understanding with all the 
northern tribes, by means of the Algonquins and the Nipissings, and with 
those of the south and west, by means of the Iroquois and the Hurons. 
His negotiations resulted so well, that he annually, at the feast of the 
Passover and the Pentecost, baptized to the faith thirty to forty 
adults. 

When the savage hunters had passed eight months in the woods, they 
remained a month in the village, which made it a kind of mission, re- 
ceiving many each day with the two catechisms and with spiritual con- 
ferences. He taught them the prayers and the chants of the church, and 
he imposed penances upon those who created any disorder. A portion 
were settled and domiciled. 

In short, he succeeded beyond all hope in persuading these nations to 
submit entirely to the King, and to render him the master of their na- 
tional assemblies, with full liberty to make known his intentions and to 
nominate all their chiefs. From the commencement of the war of 1742, 
his savages showed their attachment to France and to the King, whose 
paternal character M. Picquet had announced to them, and who was 
regarded as the beloved and the idol of the nation. 

The following is a letter which a savage wari-ior of the Lake of Two 
Mountains addressed to the King, in his enthusiasm, and which the three 
nations begged the governor to send to the King, at the beginning of the 
war. I will insert it to give an idea of their style, and of their oratorical 
figures. If it is not, word for word, the discourse of a savage, it is at 

* About 36 miles N. W. of Momreal.— Author 

5 



68 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

least reported by those who knew the best, their style and their disposi- 
tions. 

" Mt Father : 

Pay less attention to the fashion of my speech, than to the sentiments 
of my heart: no nation is capable of subduing me, or worthy of com- 
manding me. 

Thou art the only one in the world who is able to reign over me, and 
I prefer to all the advantages which the English can offer me to live with 
liim, the glory of dieing in thy service. 

Thou art great in thy name ; I know it: Onnontio [the governor) who 
brings me thy word, and the Black Gown (the missionary) who announ- 
ces to me that of the great spirit,* Kichemaniton, have told me that thou 
art the chief eldest son of the bride of Jesus, wl^ is the great master 
of life; that thou commaudest the world in wars, that thy nation is innu- 
merable ; that thou art the most absolute master of all the chiefs who 
command men, and govern the rest of the world. 

Meanwhile, the noise of thy tread strikes my two ears ; and I learn 
from thy enemies themselves, that thou hast only to appear, and forts 
fall to dust, and thy enemies are vanquished; that the quiet of night and 
the pleasures of the day yield to the glory which thou bringest; and the 
eye is wearied in following the courses and the labors of thy victories. 
J say that thou art> great in thy name, and greater by thy heart that 
animates thee, and that thy warlike virtues surpass even mine. The 
nations know me : I was born in the midst of wars, and nourished with 
the blood of my enemies. 

Ah my father, what joy for me, could I be able in thy service to assist 
thy arm, and behold myself the fire which war kindles in thy eye! 

But if it should be that my blood should be shed for thy glory, under 
this sun, rely upon my fidelity, and the death of the Eughsh, and upon 
my bravery. 

I have the war hatchet in my hand, and uiy eye fixed upon Onnontio, 
who governs me here in thy name. 

I wait, upon one foot, only, and the hand raised, the signal which bids 
me strike thy enemy and mine. 

Such, my father, is thy warrior of the Lake of Two Mountains." 

The savages held their word, and the first blows that were struck upoti 
the English in Canada, were by their hands. 

M. Picquet was among the first to foresee the war which sprang up 
about 1742 between the English and the French. He prepared himself 
for it a long time beforehand. He began by drawing to his Mission (at 
the Lake of the Two Mountains) all the French scattered in the vicinity, 
to strengthen themselves and afford more liberty to the savages. These 
furnished all the necessary detachments; they were continually on the 
frontiers to spy the enemy's movements. M. Picquet learned, by one of 
these detachments, that the English were making preparations at Sarasto 
[Saratoga?], and were pushing their settlements up to Lake St. Sacra- 
ment.f He informed the general of the circumstance and proposed to 
him to send a body of troops there, at least to intimidate the enemy, if 

* They call Matcliimaniton, the bad spirit, or the devil. They call the king Onnontio 
Chwa. — Note in the original. 

t " I am building a fort at this lake, which the French call Lake St. Sacrament, but I have 
given it the name of Lake George, not only in honor to his Majesty, but to ascertain his un- 
doubted dominion here." — Sir Wm. Johnson to the Board of Trade, Sep. 3, 1775. Land. Doc. 

xxxii., 178. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 69 

we could do no more. The expedition was formed. M. Picquet accom- 
panied M. 3Iariu who commanded this detachment. They burnt the 
fort, the Lydius establishments,* several saw D)ills, the planks, boards 
and other buildinsr timber, the stock of supphes, provisions, the herds of 
cattle along nearly fifteen leagues of settlement, and made one hundred 
and fortA-five prisoners, without having lost a single Frenchman or 
without having any even wounded. T This expedition alone prevented 
the English undertaking any thing at tiiat side during the %var. 

Peace having been re-established in 1748. our missionary occupied 
himself with the means of remedying,,for the fumre, the inconveniences 
which he had witnessed. The road he saw taken by the savages and 
other parties of the enemy sent by the English against us, caused him to 
select a jjost which could, hereafter, intercept the fiassage of the English. 
He proposed to M. de la Galissoniere to make a setilement of the mis- 
sion of La Presentation, near Lake Ontario, an establishment which 
succeeded beyond his hopes, and has been the most usetui of all those 
of Canada, 

3Ir. Rouille, Minister of the Marine, wrote on the 4th May, 1749: " A 
large number of Iroquois having declared that they were desirous of 
embracing Christianity, it has been proposed to establish a mission 
towards Fort Frontenac, in order to attract the gi-eatest number possible 
thither. .It is Ablje Picquet, a zealous missionary a;:d in whom these 
nations seem to have confidence, who has been entrusted with this 
negotiation. He was to have gone last year, to select a suitable site for 
the establishment of the mission, and verify, as precisely as was possible, 
what can be depended upon relative to the dispositions of these same 
nations. In a letter of the otli October last, 31. de la Galisouniere stated, 
that, though an entire confidence can not be placed in those they have 
manifeisted, it is notwithstanding of much importance, to succeed in 
dividing tliem, that nothing must be neglected that can contribute to it. 
It is for this reason that His. Majesty desires you shall prosecute the 
design of the proposed settlement. If it could attain a certain success, 
it would not be difficult then to make the savages understand that the 
only means of extricating themselves fi-om the pretensions of the Eng- 
lish, to them and then* lands, is to destroy Choueguen,! so as to deprive 
them thereby of a post which they establislied chiefly with a view to 
control their tribes. This destruction is of such great importance, both 
as regards our possessions and the attachment of the savages and their 
trade, that it is proper to use every means to engage the Iroquois to 
undertake it Tliis is actually the only means that can be employed, but 
you must feel that it requires much prudence and circumspection.'"' 

Mr. Picquet eminently possessed the qualities requisite to effect the 
removal of the English from our neighborhood. Therefore the General, 
the Intendant, and the Bishop deferred absolutely to him in the selection 
of the settlement for this new mission; and despite the efforts of those 
who had opposite interests, he was entrusted with the undertaking. 

* Now Fort Edward, Washington county. 

t'' I received an account on the 19ih inst., by Express from Albany, that a party of French 
and their Indians had cut off a settlement in this provTaiee, called Saraghtoge. about fifty miles 
from Albany, and thai about twenty houses with a fort (which the public would not repair) 
were burned to ashes, thirty persons killed and scalped, and about sixty taken prisoners. — 
Gov. Clinton to the -Board, 30lh Kov. 1745. Lend. jDcc.xxrii., 1S7. 235. 

+ Oswego. 



70 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The fort of La Presentation is situated at 302 deg. 40 min. longitude, 
and at 44 deg. 50 min. latitude, on the Pi-esentatiou river, which the 
Indians name Soe^«sfe'; tijirty leagues above Mont-Real ; fifteen leagues 
from Lake Ontario or Lake Frontenac, w^hich with Lake Chani[)l»in 
gives rise to the River St. Lawrence: fifteen leagues west of the source 
of the River Hudson which fails into the sea at New York. Fort Fron- 
tenac had been built near there in 1671, to arrest the incursions of the 
English and the L-oquois; the bay served as a port for the mercantile 
and military marine which had been formed there on that sort of sea 
where the tempests are as frequent and as dangerous as on the ocean. 
But the post of La Presentation appeared still more important, because 
the harbor is very good, the river freezes there rarely, the barks can 
leave with northern, eastern and southern winds, the lands are excellent, 
and that quarter can be fortified most advantageously. 

Besides, that mission was adapted by its situation to reconcile to us the 
Iroquois savages of the Five Nations who inhabit between Virginia and 
Lake Ontario. The Marquis of Beauharnois and afterwards M. de la 
Jonquiere, Governor-General of New France, were very desirous that 
we should occupy it, especially at a time when English jealousy, ii-ritated 
by a war of many years, sought to alienate from us the tribes of Canada. 

This establishment was as if the key of the colony, because the 
English, French antl Upper Canada savages could not pass dsewhere 
than under the cannon of Fort Presentation when coming down from 
the south, the Iroquois to the south, and the Micissagu6s to the north, 
were within its reach. Thus it eventually succeeded in collecting them 
together from over a distance of one hundred leagues. The officei'S, 
interpreters and traders, notwithstanding, then reg.irded that establish- 
ment as chimerical. Envy and opposition had effected its failure, had 
it not been for the firmness of the Abbe Picquet, supported by that of 
the administration. This establishment served to protect, aid and com- 
fort the posts already erected on Lake Ontario. The barks and canoes, 
for the transportation of the king's effects, could be constructed there at 
a third less expense than elsewhere, because timber is in greater quan- 
tity and more accessible, especially when M. Picquet had had a saw mill 
erected there for preparing and manufacturing the timber. In fine, he 
could establish a very important settlement for the French colonists, and 
a point of reunion for Europeans and savages, where they would find 
themselves very convenient to the hunting and fislfing in the upper part 
of Canada. 

M. Picquet left with a detachment of soldiers, mechanics and some 
savages. He placed" himself at first in as great secui-ity as possible 
against the insults of the enemy, which availed him ever since. On the 
20th October, 1749, he had built a fort of palisades, a house, a barn, 
a stable, a redoubt, and an oven. He had lands cleared for the savages. 
His improvements were estimated at thirty to forty thousand livres, but 
he introduced as much judgment as economy. He animated the work- 
men, and they labored from three o'clock in the morning until nine at 
night. As for himself, his disinterestedness was extreme. He received 
at that time neither allowance nor presents ; he supported himself by his 
industry and credit. From the king he had but one ration of two pounds 
of bread and one half pound of pork, which made the savages say, 
when they brought him a buck and some partridges: " We doubt not, 
father, but that there have been disagreeable expostulations in your 
stomach, because you have had nothing but pork to eat. Here's some- 
thing to put your affairs in order." The hunters furnished him where- 
withal to support the Frenchmen, and to treat the generals occasionally. 
The savages brought him trout weighing as many as eighty pounds. 



]Fi;Dirr i^a it^i^MsiE:M'T'Anri(D)^ 




"Vjigiavrd-i Prmted byJT. Gavil ^Ibam- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 71 

When the court had granted hizn a pension, he employed it only for 
the benefit of his establishment. At first, he had six heads of families 
in 1749, eighty-seven the year following, and three hundred and ninety- 
six in 1751. All these were of the most antient and most influential 
families, so that this mission was, from that time, sufiixiieutly powerful to 
attach the Five Nations to us, amounting to twenty-five thousand inhabit- 
ants, and he recokned as many as three thousand in his colony. By 
attaching the Iroquois cantons to France and establishsng (hem fully in 
our interest, we were certain of having nothing to fear from the other 
savage tribes, and thus a limit could be put to the ambition of the 
Euglish. Mr. Picquet took considerable advantage of the peace to in- 
crease that settlement, and he carried it in less than four years to the 
most desirable perfection, despite of the contradictions that he had to 
combat against; the obstacles he had to surmount; the jibes and unbe- 
coming jokes which he was obliged to bear; but his happiness and glory 
suflTered nothing therefrom. People saw with astonishment several 
villages start up almost at once ; a convenient, habitable and pleasantly 
situated fort ; vast clearances, covered almost at the same time with the 
finest maize. More than five hundred families, still all infidels, who 
congregated there, soon rendered this settlement the most beautiful, the 
most charming and the most abundant of the colony. Depending on it 
were La Presentation, La Galette, Suegatzi, L'isle au Galop, and L'isle 
Picquet in the River St. Lawrence. There were in the fort seven small 
stone guns and eleven four to six pounders. 

The most distinguished of the Iroquois families were distributed at 
La Presentation in three villages : that which adjoined the French fort 
contained, in 1754, forty-nine bark cabins, some of which were from 
sixty to eighty feet long, and accommodated three to four families. The 
place pleased them on account of the abundance of hunting and fishing. 
This mission could no doubt be increased, but cleared land sufficient to 
allow all the families to plant and to aid them to subsist would be neces- 
sary, and each tribe should have a separate location. 

M. Picquet had desired that in order to draw a large number, that 
they should clear during a certain time a hundred arpents of land each 
year, and build permanent cabins, and to surround their village with a 
palisade ; that they should construct a church, and a house for seven or 
eight missionaries. The nations desired it, and it was an effectual means 
to establish them permanentlj^. All this he could do with fifteen thousand 
livres a year, and he proposed to assign them a benefice, as tending to 
promote religion. Meanwhile our missionary applied himself to the 
instruction of the savages, and baptized great numbers. 

The Bishop of Quebsc, wishing to witness and assure himself person- 
ally of the wonders related to him of the establishment at La Presenta- 
tion, went thither in 1749,' accompanied by some officers, royal interpre- 
ters, priests from other missions and several other clergymen, and spent 
ten days examining and causing the catechumens to be examined. He 
himself baptized one hundred and thirty-two, and did not cease during 
his sojourn, blessing Heaven for the progress of i-eligion among these 
infidels. 

Scarcely were they baptized, when M. Picquet determined to give them 
a form of government. He established a council of twelve ancients ; 
chose the most influential among the Five Nations; brought them to 
Mont-Real, where, at the hands of the Marquis du Quesne, they took the 
oath of allegiance to the King, to the great astonishment of the whole 
colony, where no person dared to hope for such an event. 

Attentive as well to the good of the administration, as to the cause of 



72 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

religion, M. Picquet notified the chiefs of the colony of the abuses which 
he witnessed. He made for example, a remonstrance against the estab- 
lishment of traders who bad come to locate at the Long Saut, and at 
Carillon, to hold traffic and commerce, who cheated the savages, and 
sold them worthless things, at a dear price, and hindered them from 
coming to the mission, where they were undeceived, insti-ucted in reli- 
gion, and attached to France. 

The garrisons which were established in the missions, embarrassed 
very much the projects of our missionary. " I have already seen," said 
he, in a memoir, " with gratification, the suppression of those of the 
Saut St. Louis, and at the lake of Two Mountains, and think that the 
government, informed by others as well as by myself, of the wrong they 
do to i-eligion, as well as to the state, would withdraw that which is at 
la Presentation, where it is as useless, and even more pernicious than at 
the other missions. 

No one knows better than myself, the disorders, which increase in 
proportion as the garrison becomes more numerous; the fervor of our 
first Christians is impaired by degrees by their bad example and bad 
councils; their docility towards the king is sensibly diminished; diffi- 
culties multiply almost continually between nations whose customs, and 
character, and interests, are so different; and in short, the commanders 
and guards of the magazines oppose habitually, a thousand obstacles to 
the fruits of the zeal of the missionaries. 

During the twenty-eight years that I have had the charge and manage- 
ment of savages, I have always found with those who have studied their 
customs, and their character, that by free and frequent intercourse [/re- 
quentation] with the French, they become corrupt entirely, and that the 
bad examples, the bad councils, and the mercenary spirit and interests 
of the inhabitants of European nations who frequent their villages, are 
the principal causes why they make so little progress in religion. 

Hence comes sometimes their indocility to the orders of governors, 
their infidelity to the king himself, and their apostacies. 

It is a thing of public notoriety, that at the Saut St. Louis, and at the 
Lake of Two Mountains, missions formerly so fervent, and which for 
almost a hundred years have rendered important services to the colony, 
they have there been the principal causes of these almost irreparable 
disorders; that they have not only introduced libertinism, and all kinds 
of debauchery, but even i-evolution and revolt." 

M. Picquet feared above all, the introduction of crimes of the whites, 
happily unknown among savages.* 

" The commandants were not then occupied in the missions which 
diminished the confidence of tiie savages in their missionaries. It 
seemed as if it were a victory gained, if they could detach some one, or 
even when they had adroitly prejudiced an officer against the mission- 
aries, and wounded his feelings. 

A devoutly religious missionary as indefatigable in the service of the 
king, as he was in that of his God, yielded himself at the foot of authori- 
ty to the detriment of the mission of Saut St. Louis, under the force of 
accusations Avhich the commandant of the fort fabricated against him. 
Then irreligion, libertinism, infidelity towards the king, and the insolence 
of the savages, immediately took the place of piety, of attachment, of 
submission, and of obedience, of which for a long period previous, they 
had given proofs under the guidance of the missionaries. At length, to 

* A literal traiislation can not prudently be given. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 73 

remedy so many evils, they withdrew the garrisons which had placed 
two missionaries in the greatest danger; but the Jesuits were compelled 
to remove their mission from the Saut Saint Louis, below Lake St. 
Francis, to separate the savages from the frequent intercourse of the 
French. 

Experience has always proved, that it was by religion, that we have 
succeeded best in attaching to us the savages, and that the missionaries 
formed and consolidated the union. In fact our missions have been 
always preserved in the same fidelity, when the missionaries have ex- 
ercised liberally their ministry. But instead of which we see deserted 
the fine villages which were established at Fort Frontenac, at Niagara, 
below the portage, and nearly all the other posts of Upper Canada. 

The commandants of these very posts, with their garrisons, have so 
dispersed and destroyed these establishments, that there remained no 
trace of them at the time of M. Picquet. These savages were without 
missionaries, without councils, and without sympathies, having all aban- 
doned the French posts, to array themselves for the most part on the 
side of the English ; and these kind of refugees are more dangerous to 
us than savages whom we have never known. 

Before the missionaries had conciliated to us the people of Upper 
Canada, they conspired in all their posts against the French, and sought 
occasion to butcher them. Those who were on our side were of no 
assistance in time of war. 

There wei-e in all not more than forty in the expeditions of the first 
years of the war of 1755; and even except the domiciliated Christians, 
we saw almost none of the savages of the upper country, during more 
than three-quarters of a year, notwithstanding continual invitations and 
negociations ; but the domesticated Christians, while they were quietly 
at home in their villages, with their missionaries, were always ready at 
the first signal to fly to the governor general. 

We have seen them arrange themselves under their proper nations 
when the necessity came, and even not sparing their families; for in 
the affair of M. Diskau, they slew all the parents that they had made 
prisoners. 

Instead of this, in the war of 1745, whilst they had garrisons in their 
villages, sometimes they refused to take up arms, and wished to remain 
neutral, and sometimes they betrayed us, and served our enemies, and 
could not be induced to undertake expeditions by the influence of en- 
treaties, nor caresses, nor presents, and withstood until missionaries 
were sent to march with them. 

But what is more strange, the governors general M. de Beauharnais, 
de la Galissonni^re, de la Jonquiere, and du Quesne, have themselves 
many times discovei-ed that the savages have been persuaded by the 
commandants of foi-ts to go contrary to the orders of the generals, to the 
end, without doubt, that such faults would recoil upon the missionaries, 
and diminish the confidence which the generals reposed in them. 
When once got rid of, there was nothing to oppose the fire of age, the 
violence of the passions, and the inveterate habits of a great part of the 
soldiery. 

The commanders of the magazine guards, were still more dangerous 
than the soldiers, the one by their authority, or their independence, as 
they had the disposal of the effects of the king; the other by the facilities 
which they equally had to make pi-esents, and all the facilities which 
they enjoyed of coi-rupting the morals of the people. This has intro- 
duced confusion mto the villages, to the contempt of the nation, and as 
a consequence the general alienation of these people from the French 



74 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

which has rendered it difficult for the missionaries to inspire thorn with 
courage, to engage on our side. 

There might perJjapt, meanwhile, be fear of withdrawing^ the gairisoii 
in time of war, but M. Picquet was persuaded that this would be slilj less 
liazardous than to allow them to remain; because, said he, the English 
think less of attacking a village in which there were only savages, than 
one in which is a garrison. They well know — 

1st. That they have nothing to gain from the savages, whom it is diffi- 
cult to surprise, and that one of their villages is like a nest of hornets, 
that take wing the moment they are disturbed, but who fall suddenly 
upon their aggressors fioni every quarter, and abandon them only on the 
last extremity. 

2d. The English would have no longer to excuse themselves by the 
pretext of saying that they wished only to injure the French. He would 
set upon him all the nations, and irritate them in such a manner as to 
render them irreconcilable. It would be a happy blow for the French, 
but the English would be too much on his guard to undertake it. 

In the month of June 1751, M. Picquet made a voyage around Lake 
Ontario, with a king's canoe and one of bark, in which he had five trusty 
savages, with the design of attracting some Indian families to the new 
settlement of La Presentation. There is a memoir among his papers on 
the subject, from which it is proposed to give an extract. 

He visited Fort Fi'ontenac or Caiarocoui, situate twelve leagues west 
of La Presentation. He found no Indians there, though it was formerly 
the rendezvous of the Five Nations. The bread and milk, there, were 
bad: they had not even brandy there to staunch a wound. Arrived at a 
point of Lake Ontario called Kaoi, he found a negro fugitive from Vir- 
ginia. He assured him on this occasion that there would be no difficulty 
to obtain a great part of the negroes of New England, who were received 
well in Canada, and supported the first yeai', and that lands were con- 
ceded to them as to habitants. The savages served them voluntarily as 
guides. 

The negroes would be the most terrible enemies of the English, be- 
cause they have no hope of pardon if the English become masters of 
Canada, and they contribute much to build up this colony by their laboi-. 
The same is the case with natives of Flanders, Lorraine and Switzerland, 
who have followed their example, because they were ill at ease with the 
English who loved them not. 

At the Bay of Quint6, he visited the site of the ancient mission which 
M. DoUieres de Kleus and Abbe D'Urf^, priests of the Saint Sulpice 
Seminary, had established there. The quarter is beautiful, but the land 
is not good. He visited Fort Toronto, seventy leagues from Fort Fronte- 
nac, at the west end of Lake Ontario. He found good bread and good 
wine there, and every thing requisite for the trade, whilst they were in 
want of these at all the other posts. He found Mississagues there who 
flocked around him: they spoke first of the happiness their young people, 
the women and children, would feel, if the King would be as good to 
them as to the Iroquois for whom he procured missionaries. They com- 
plained that instead of building a church, they had constructed only a 
canton for them. M. Picquet did not allow them to finish, and answered 
them that they had been treated according to their fancy; that they had 
never evinced the least zeal for religion ; that their conduct was much 
opposed to it; that the Iroquois, on the contrary, had manifested their 
love to Christianity, but as he had no order to attract them to his mission, 
he avoided a more lengthy explanation. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 75 

He passed thence to Niagara. He examined the situation of that fort, 
not having any savages to whom he could speak. It is well located for 
defence, not heing commanded from any point. The view extends to a 
great distance: they have the advantage of the landing of all the canoes 
and barks which land, and are in safety there; but the I'ain was washing 
the soil away by degrees, notwithstanding the vast expense which the 
King incurred to sustain it. M. Picquet was of opinion that the space 
between the land and the wharf might be filled in so as to support it, and 
make a glacis there. This place was important as a trading post, and as 
securing possession of the carrying place of Niagara and Lake Ontario. 

From Niagara, Mr. Picquet went to the carrying place, which is six 
leagues from that post. He visited on the same day the famous Fall of 
Niagara, by which the four great Canada lakes discharge themselves into 
Lake Ontai-io. This cascade is as prodigious by its height and the quan- 
tity of water which falls there, as by the variety of its falls, which are to 
the number of six principal ones divided l)y a small island, leaving three 
to the north and three to the south. They produce of themselves a sin- 
gular symmetry and wonderful effect. He measured the height of one of 
those falls from the south side, and he found it about one hundred and 
forty feet.* The establishment at this carrying place, the most important 
in a commercial point of view, was the worst stocked. The Indians, 
who came there in great numbers, were in the best disposition to trade ; 
but notfindmg what they wanted, they went to Choueguen or Choeguenn 
[Oswego], at the mouth of the river of the same name, M. Picquet 
counted there as many as fifty canoes. There was notwithstanding at 
Niagara a trading house, where the commandant and trader lodged; but 
it was too small, and the King's property was not safe there. 

M. Picquet negotiated with the Senecas, who promised to repair to his 
mission, and gave him twelve children as Jiostages; saying to him that 
their parents had nothing dearer to them, and followed him immediately, 
as well as the chief of the Little Rapid with all his family. 

The young Indians who accompanied Picquet had spoken of this old 
man as a veritable apostle. M. Picquet withdrew with him to say his 
breviary; and the savages and the Sonnotoans, without losing time, as- 
sembled themselves to hold council with M. de Touraine, who addressed 
them for some time at length, and said: 

"You savages and the Sonnotoans know your firmness in your re- 
solutions, and know that you have designed to pass by Choeguen [Os- 
wego] in returning. Let me request you at once that you atten)pt to do 
nothing. They are informed of the bad disposition of the English, whom 
you regard as the formidable enemy of their colony, and as the one that 
has done them the most harm. They are disposed to destroy themselves, 
rather than that you should suffer the least harm; but all this amounts to 
nothing, and the savages will always lose by the approaches of this people 
who hate you. As for myself, added M. de Touraine, I entreat you ear- 
nestly not to pass that way. The Indians have told me nothing more." 
M. Picquet immediately replied : Ethonciaouin ( that is, as you deske, 
my children). 

He set out with all those savages to return to Fort Niagara. M. Cha- 
bert de Joncaire would not abandon him. At each place where they 
encountered camps, cabins and entrepots, they were saluted with mus- 
quetry by the Indians, who never ceased testitying their consideration 
for the missionary. M. Picquet took the lead with the savages of the 

* These are French feet. The falls on the American side are 164 feet high.. .-Burr's Atlas 
luliod. p. 31. 



76 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

hills; Messrs. Joncaire and Rigouille following with the recruits. He 
embarked with thirty-nine savages in his large canoe, and was received 
on arriving at the fort with the greatest ceremony, even with the dis- 
charge of cannon, which greatly pleased the Indians. On the morrow 
he assembled the Senecas, for the first time, in the chapel of the fort 
for religious sei'vices. 

M. Picquet returned along the south coast of Lake Ontario. Along- 
side of Choeguen, a young Seneca met her uncle who was coming from 
his village with his wife and children. This young girl spoke so well 
to her uncle, though she had but little knowledge of religion, that he 
promised to repair to La Presentation early the following spring, and 
that he hoped to gain over also seven other cabins of Senecas of which 
he was chief. Twenty-five leagues from Niagara he visited the river 
Gascouchagou,* where he met a number of rattlesnakes. The young 
Indians jumped into the midst of them and killed forty-two without 
having been bitten by any. 

He next visited the falls of this river. The first which appear in sight 
in ascending, resemble much the great cascade at Saint Cloud, except 
that they have not been ornamented and do not seem so high, but they 
possess natural beauties which render them very curious. The second, 
a quarter of a mile higher, are less considerable, yet are i-eraarkable. 
The third, also a quarter of a league higher, has beauties truly admirable 
by its curtains and falls which form also, as at Niagara, a charming pro- 
portion and variety. They may be one hundred and some feet high.| 
In the intervals between the falls, there are a hundred little cascades, 
which present likewise a curious spectacle ; and if the altitudes of each 
chute were joined together, and they made but one as at Niagara, the 
height would, perhaps, be four hundred feet; but there is four times less 
water than at the Niagara Fall, which will cause the latter to pass, for 
ever, as a wonder perhaps unique in the world. 

The English, to throw disorder into this new levy, sent a good deal 
of brandy. Some savages did, in fiict, get drunk, whom M. Picquet 
could not bring along. He therefore desired much that Choeguen were 
destroyed and the English prevented rebuilding it; and in order that 
we should be absolutely masters of the south side of Lake Ontario, he 
proposed erecting a fort near there at the bay of the Cayugas,f which 
would make a very good harbor and furnish very fine anchorage. No 
place is better adapted for a fort. 

He examined attentively the fort of Choegueu, a post the most per- 
nicious to Fi-ance that the English could erect. It was commanded 
almost from all sides and could be very easily approached in time of 
war. It was a two story very low building; decked like a ship and sur- 
mounted on the top by a gallery; the whole was surrounded by a stone 
wall, flanked only with two bastions at the side towards the nearest hill. 
Two batteries, each of three twelve pounders, would have been more 
than sufficient to reduce that establishment to ashes. It was prejudicial 
to us by the facility it afforded the English of communicating with all 
the tribes of Canada, still more than by the trade carried on there as 
well by the French of the colony as by the savages: for Choeguen was 
supplied with merchandize adapted only to the French, at least as much 

* The Genesee river. In Beliu's map of Pcertie Occidentale de la Nouvelle France^ 1755, 
(No. 99"2. W C. Stale Lib.) it is described as a " River unknown to Geographers, filled with 
Rapids and Waterfalls." 

t The highest fall on the river is 105 feet. 

t Sodus bay. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 77 

as with what suited to the savages, a circumstance that indicated aii 
illicit trade. Had the minister's orders been executed, the Choeguen 
trade, at least with the savages of Upper Canada, would be almost ruined. 
But it was necessary to supply Niagara, especially the Portage, rather 
than Toronto. The difference between the two first of these posts and 
the last is, that three or four hundred canoes could come loaded with 
furs to the Portage, anri that no canoes could go to Toronto, except those 
which can not pass before Niagara and to Fort Froutenac, such as the 
Otaois of the head of the lake {Fond du Lac) and the Mississagues; so 
that Toronto could not but diminish the trade of these two antieut posts, 
which would have been sufficient to stop all the savages had the stores 
been fi:rnished with goods to their hking. There was a wish to imitate 
tlie Englisli in the trifles they sold the savages, such as silver bracelets, 
etc. The Indians compared and weighed them, as the storekeeper at 
Niagara stated, and the Choeguen bracelets which were found as heavy, 
of a pui-er silvei", and more elegant, did not cost them two beavers, whilst 
those at the king's jiosts wanted to sell them for ten beavers. Thus we 
were discredited, and this silver ware remained a pure loss iu the king's 
stores. French brandy was preferred to the English, but that did not 
prevent the Indians going to Choeguen. To destroy the trade the king's 
posts ought to have been supplied with the same goods as Choeguen 
and at the same price. The French ought also have been forbidden to 
send the domiciliated Indians thither: but that would have been very 
difficult. 

Mr. Picquet next retui'ned to Frontenac. Never was a reception moi*e 
imposing. The Nipissings and Algonquins who were going to wai* with 
M. de Bellestre, drew up in a line, of their own accord, above Fort 
Frontenac, where three standards were hoisted. They fired several 
volleys of musketi-y and cheered incessantly. They were answered in 
the same style from all the little craft of bark. M. de Verchere and M. 
de la Valtrie caused the guns of the fort to be discharged at the same 
time, and the Indians transported with joy at the honors paid them also 
kept up a continual fire with shouts and acclamations which made every 
one rejoice. The commandants and officers received our missionary at 
the lauding. No sooner had he debarked than all the Algonquins and 
Nipissings of the lake came to embrace him, saying that they had been 
told that the English had arrested him, and had that news been con- 
firmed they would soon have themselves relieved him. Finally, when 
he retui-ned to La Presentation, he was received with that affection, that 
tenderness which children would experience in recovering a father 
whom they had lost. 

In 1753, M. Picquet repaired to France to render an account of his 
labors, and solicit assistance for tbe benefit of the colony, lie took with 
him three natives, the appearance of whom might create an interest iu 
the success of his establishments, and who, in the quality of hostages, 
might serve to control the mission during his absence. The nations 
there assembled consented to it, and even appeared to desire it, as well 
as the chiefs of the colony. He conducted his savages to Paris, and to 
the court, where they were received witii so nmch kindness and atten- 
tion that they said without ceasing, that could their nations know as well 
as themselves, the character and the goodness of the French, they would 
not fail to be otherv^^ise than of the same heart and interests with that of 
France. 

While M. Picquet was in Paris, in 1754, M. Rouill6, then minister of 
the marine, caused him to draw up sundry memoirs, especially a general 
memoir upon Canada, iu which he suggeste«l infallible meaus for pre^ 



78 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

serving this colony to France. He also made observations upon the dis- 
turbances which certain inquiet spirits, rash and boisterous, had occa- 
sioned in Canada. The minister highly approved of them, and assured 
him that he would write to the general, to prevent in future the recur- 
rence of like disorders, which could not fail to be pernicious in a colony 
still weak, and too distant from succors should they be necessary. 

The minister wished to give him a pension of a thousand crowns, but 
M. de Laport, the first steward, conferred it upon the Abbe Maillard. 
The minister was displeased, while M. Picquet had only the pleasure of 
receiving a thousand crowns, of which in truth the ordinance was con- 
ceived in terms the most honorable. The king presented him some 
books, and when he took his leave, the minister said to him, "Your ma- 
jesty still gives you new marks of %is pleasure." 

The king always evinced the same sentiments towards him whenever 
he took occasion to mention him at Versailles or at Bellevue. 

Meanwhile M. de Laporte was displeased with this journey of the 
Abbe Picquet, because it was leaving the other ecclesiastic jealous of the 
impression which this abbe was making with the court and the city. 
He restrained him from continually exhibiting his savages, and attempted 
to justify himself in what he had done. 

At length he departed at the close of April, 1754, and returned to la 
Presentation with two missionaries. 

The sojourn of the three natives in France produced a very good 
effect among the nations of Canada. 

War was no sooner declared in 1754, than the new children of God, 
of the king, and of M. Picquet, thought only of giving fresh proofs of 
their fidelity and valor, as those of the Lake of the Two Mountains had 
done in the war preceding. The generals were indebted to M. Picquet 
for the destruction of all the forts as well on the river Corlac (Corlear) 
as on that of Choeguen. His Indians distinguished themselves espe- 
cially at Fort George on Lake Ontario, where the warriors of La Pre- 
sentation alone, with their bark canoes, destroyed the English fleet, 
commanded by Capt. Beccan, who was made prisoner with a number 
of others, and that in sight of the French army, commanded by M. de 
Villiers, who was at the Isle Galop. The war parties which departed 
and returned continually, filled the mission with so many prisoners that 
their numbers frequently surpassed that of the warriors, rendering it 
necessary to empty the villages and send them to Headquarters. In fine 
a number of other expeditions of which M. Picquet was the principal 
author, have procured the promotion of several officers, notwithstanding 
some have declared that there were neither honors, nor pensions, nor 
favors, nor promotions, nor marks of distinction, conferred by the king 
ujjon those who had served in Canada, who were prevented from re- 
ceiving these by M. Picquet. 

M, du Quesne, on the occasion of the army of General Braddock, re- 
commended him to send as lai-ge a detachment of savages as was possi- 
ble, and gave him on this occasion full powers. In fact, the exhortations 
Avhich M. Picquet made them to give an example of zeal and courage 
for the king their father, and the instructions which he gave them pro- 
duced, in short, the entire defeat of this general of the enemy, in the 
summer of 1755, near F'ort Du Quesne, upon the Ohio. 

This event, wliich conferred more honor upon the arms of the king 
than all the i-est of the war, is due principally to the care which M. 
Picquet bestowed upon the execution of the commands of M. the Mar- 
quis du Quesne in this expedition, and by the choice which he made of 
warriors equally faithful and intrepid. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 79 

The assurance which he gave them, that they should conquer the 
enemy, so wai-med their imaginations, that they thought in the combat 
that they saw the missionary at their head, cheering them on and pro- 
mising them victory, ahhough he was distant from them almost a hun- 
dred and fifty leagues; it was one of their superstitions, which he had 
taken pains to impart to them. 

He frequently found himself in the vanguard when the king's troo})s 
were ordered to attack the enemy. He distinguished himself particu- 
larly in the expeditions of Sarasto (Saratoga), Lake Champlain, Pointe 
a la Chevelure (Crown Point), the Cascades, Carillon (Ticonderoga), 
Choeguen (Oswego), River Corlac (Mohawk), Isle au Galop, etc. Tlie 
posts he established for the king protected the colony pending the entire 
war. M. du Quesne said that the Abbe Picquet was worth more than 
ten regiments. 

He wrote to him on the 23d of September, 1754: 

"I shall never forget as a good citizen, I shall remember as long as I 
live, the proofs which you have given me of your generosity, and for 
your unquenchable zeal for all that concerns the public good." 

On the 9th of June, 1755, M. DuQuesne, upon the point of departing, 
sent word to him that the English thought of abandoning Niagara. He 
added, " the precautions to be taken must all emanate from your zeal, 
prudence and foresight." 

The English then endeavored, as well by menaces as by promises, to 
gain the savages, especially after the lesson which Du Quesne had given 
them at the Belle riviere (of the Ohio). 

In the month of May, 1756, M. de Vaudreuil got M. Picquet to depute 
the chiefs of his mission to the Five Nations of Senecas, Cayugas, Onon- 
taqu6s, Tuscaroras, and Oneidas to attach them more and more to the 
French. The English had surprised and killed their nephews in the 
three villages of the Loups (Mohegans ?) M. de Vaudreuil requested 
him to form parties which could succeed each other in disquieting and 
harassing the English. He asked of him his projects in forming a 
camp; he prayed him to give a free expression to his ideas, and exhibited 
on his side the greatest confidence, and made him a part of all the opera- 
tions which he proposed to undertake ; and declared that the success 
of his measuVes was the work of M. Picquet. 

The letters of M. de Vaudreuil from 1756 to 1759, which are among 
the papers of our missionary, are filled with these evidences of his confi- 
dence and satisfaction ; but as those of M. Picquet ai-e not to be found, it 
would be difficult to find wherewith to make a history of these events, 
of which alone M. Picquet has the greatest part. 

In proportion as our circumstances became more embarrassing, the 
zeal of M. Picquet became more precious and more active. 

In 1758, he destroyed the English forts on the banks of Corlac, 
but at length the battle of the 13th of September, 1759, in which the 
Marquis of Montcalm was killed, brought ruin on Quebec, and that of 
Canada followed. When he saw all thus lost, M. Picquet terminated his 
long and laborious career by his retreat on the 8th May, 1760, with the 
advice and consent of the General, the Bishop and Intendant, in order 
not to fall into the hands of the English. 

The esteem which he had gained by his merit, the praises which in 
an especial manner he had received, might have induced him to remain 
there, but he had resolved never to swear allegiance to another power. 
Inducements were held out as motives by many French, by missionaries 
and by the savages themselves, who proposed to engage him, and labored 
to make him see the advantages that would x-esult. 



80 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

He still hoped to take with him in his retreat the grenadiers of each 
battalion, according to the advice of M. the Marquis de L6vis, to thus 
preserve the colors and the honor of their corps, but of this he was not 
the master. 

He had the materials of subsistence abundantly, but was obliged to 
content himself with twenty-five Frenchmen who accompanied him as 
far as Louisiana, and he thus escaped with them from the English, 
althougii he had been the most exposed during the war, and although 
he did not receive the least help in so long a journey; but he had with 
him two little detachments of savages, one of which preceded him seve- 
ral leagues and the other accompanied him, Avho were successively re- 
lieved by similar detachments, as he passed through different tribes. 

Those whom he left he sent each to his own nation, and advised them 
as a father. Every where they received him admirably, notwithstanding 
the deplorable circumstances in which he was in; every where he found 
the natives with the best dispositions, and he received their protestations 
of zeal aud inviolable attachment to the king their father. 

He passed to Michilimachina, between Lake Huron and Lake Michi- 
gan, but the savages, consisting of Iroquois or Algonquins, here left him, 
thatM. Picquet might not be embarrassed from this cause;* proceeded 
thus by way of Upper Canada to the Illinois country and Louisiana, and 
sojourned twenty-two months at New Orleans. 

Here he occupied himself in recovering- his spirits, in quelling a sort 
of civil war which had sprung up between the governor and the inhabit- 
ants, and in preaching peace, both in public and in private. 

He had the satisfaction of seeing this happily restored, during his so- 
journ. 

General Amherst in taking possession of Canada, immediately informed 
himself of the place where M. Picquet had taken refuge, and upon the 
assurance which was given him that he had departed on his return to 
France by the west, he said haughtily; " I am mistaken in him, if this 
Abb6 had not been less faithful to the King of England, had he taken the 
oath of allegiance to him, as had been to the King of France. We would 
then have given him all our confidence, and gained him to ourselves. " 

This Genei-al was mistaken. M. Picquet had an ardent love for his 
coimtry, and he could not have adopted another. 

Soon the English would have finished by proscribing him and offering 
a reward for his head, as a dangerous enemy. 

Meanwhile the English themselves, have contributed to establish the 
glory and the services of this useful missionary; we read in one of their 
Gazettes: " The Jesuit of the west has detached all the nations from us, and 
placed them in the interests of Fi-ance. " They called him a Jesuit because 
they had not then seen his girdle, nor the buttons of his cassock, as M. 
De Galissonniere wrote to him jocosely, in sending him the extract of 
their Gazette ; or to speak seriously, the zeal of the Jesuits so well known 
in the new world, makes them believe that out of so great a number of 
missionaries, there can be none but Jesuits. They are represented as the 
authors of all the losses of the English, and the advantages which the 
French have gained over them. Some even insinuate that they possess 
supernatural powers. In short, our enemies believed themselves lost, 
when they were in the army, on account of the horde of savages that 'al- 
ways attended them. 

* I have much desired to find in liis papers, his memoirs upon the customs of Canada ; but I 
have heard M. Picquet say, that this subject was well treated of in the works of Father La- 
iSiau, who had dwell five years at the Saut St. Louis, near Montreal — Note in the Original. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 81 

They s])oke of nothing but of Picquet, and of his good luck; and this 
became even a proverb throughout the colony. 

An English officer, having wished to make himself conspicuous, once 
offered a bounty for his head, whereupon the savages conspired to seize 
this English chief; he was led into their presence, and they danced around 
him with their tomahawks, awaiting the signal of the missionary, who 
made it not, in his courtesy to an enemy. 

Thus did he endeavor, by every possible means, to act neutral, at least 
between the English and the French, 

They had recourse to the mediation of the savages, and offered to allow 
him freely to preach the catholic faith to the nations, and even to domi- 
ciliated Europeans, — to pay him two thousand crowns pension, with all 
the assistance necessary for establishing hiuiself; — to ratify the concession 
of Lake Ganenta and its environs; a charming place which the six can- 
tons of the Iroquois had presented to M. Picquet, in a most illustrious 
council, which they ha^ held at the Chateau of Quebec. The belts, which 
are the contracts of these nations, were deposited at his ancient mission, 
the Lake of Two Mountains ; but he constantly declared that he preferred 
the stipend which the King gave him, and that all the overtures that could 
be made, and all the advantages that could be offered by a foreign power, 
were vain; that the idea of neutrality, under the circumstances, was idle, 
and an outrage upon his fidelity; in a word, that the thought itself was 
horrible. That he could make his fortunes without them, and that his 
character was very remote from this species of cupidity. The services, 
the fidelity, and the disinterestedness of father Picquet, merited for him 
a higher destiny. 

Likewise the generals, commandants, and the troops, failed not by mili- 
tary honors, to evince their esteem and their respect for him, in a 
decisive manner, and worthy of the nature of his services. He received 
these honors as well from the army as at Quebec, Montreal, Three Rivers, 
and at all the forts which he passed, and even at the Cedars, notwith- 
standing the jealousy of certain menial subjects, such as M. De * * *, 
who had sought to tarnish the glory of the missionary; but he had been 
too vindictive in his assaults, to efiect his object. 

We have seen him at Bourg even, a long time after, receive tokens of 
veneration and regard from the officers of regiments who had seen him 
in Canada. 

We see rendered in many letters of the ministers, similar testimonials 
rendered to his zeal and success. They give him the more credit, 
because they saw his anxieties of heart, under the obstacles he had to 
surmount, and upon the ancient hostility of these nations, who had been 
almost perpetually at war, but their experience with the English had 
led them to bestow their attachment upon the French, in proof of which 
the conduct of these people for a long time after the war was cited. 

We see in the work of T. Raynal (vol. vii, p. 292), that the savages had 
a marked predilection for the French ; that the njissionaries were the 
principal cause of this; and that he says that this fact is especially appli- 
cable to the Abbe Picquet. 

To give probability to what he says of his services, allow me to quote 
the testimony which he rendered in 1769, to the governor-general, after 
his return to France, and the loss of Canada. 

" We, Marquis du Quesne, commander of the royal and military order 
of Saint Louis, chief of the squadron of the naval arm, ancient lieutenant- 
general, commandent of New France, and the governments of Louis- 
burgh and Louisiana: 

Certify, that upon the favorable testimony which we have received in 



82 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Canada, of the services of the Abb6 Picquet, missionary of the king 
among savage nations; upon the confidence which our predecessors in 
this colony have bestowed upon him; and the great reputation which he 
has acquired by the fine establishments which he has formed for the 
king, the numerous and t'Ui)ernatural conversions of infidels, which he 
has attached not less to the state than to religion, by his zeal, his disin- 
terestedness, his talents, and his activity, for the good of the service of 
His Majesty ; that we have employed him oji different objects of the 
same service, during the whole period of our administration as governor- 
general, and that he has always acted equal to our expectations, and ever 
'beyond our hope. 

He has equally served religion and the state, with incredible success, 
during nearly thirty years. 

He had directly rendered the king absolute master of the national 
assembles of four nations who composed his first mission to the Lake of 
Two Mountains, with liberty to nominate all their chiefs at his will. He 
had caused all the chiefs of the nations which composed his last mission, 
at la Presentation, to swear allegiance and fidelity to His Majesty; and 
at these places he created most admirable establishments; in a word, he 
has rendered himself so much more worthy of our notice, that he would 
rather return to Canada, and continue his labors, than to live in his 
country, and recover the heritage of his parents, who have disowned 
him, as we have learned, for his not wishing to live in France, ten years 
since, when he was accompanied by three savages. 

We would detail the important services which this abbe has rendered, 
if His Majesty or his ministers require it, and render justice to whom it 
is due, to obtain of the king those marks of approbation which are 
deserved ; in the faith of which we have signed the present ceitificate, 
and sealed it with our arms. 

Signed, The Marquis du Quesne. 

M. de Vaudreuil, governor and lieutenant-general for the king in all 
of New France, certified the same in 1765, that M. Picquet had served 
nearly thirty years in this colony, with all the zeal and distinction possi- 
ble, as well in relation to the direct interests of the state, as relatively to 
those of i-eligion; that his talents for gaining the good will of the savages, 
his resources in critical moments, and his activity, have uniformly entitled 
him to the praises and the confidence of the governors and the bishops: 
that above all, he had proved useful by his services in the late war, by 
sundry negotiations with the Iroquois, and the domiciliated nations; by 
the establishments which he had formed, and which had been of great 
service, by the indefatigable and incessant care which he had taken to 
keep the savages fortified in their attachment to the French, and at the 
same time confirmed in their Christianity. 

M. de Bougainville, celebrated by his maritime expeditions, and who 
participated in the first acts of the war in Canada, certified in 1760, that 
M. Picquet, king's missionary, known by the establishments which he 
had made alike serviceable to religion and the state, in all the campaigns 
in which he had been with him, had contributed by his zeal, his activity, 
and his talents, to the good of the service of the king, and to the glory 
of his arms; and his standing among savage tribes, and his personal 
services had been of the greatest service, as well in military as political 
• affairs. 

All those who had returned from Canada, laboi-ed to make appreciated 
the services so long and so constantly rendered to France during nearly 
thirty years, and to make known the merit of a citizen, who had expa- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. ' 83 

triated himself to gratify the inclinations of his heart, who had sacrificed 
his youth, his heritage, and all the flattering hopes of France, who had 
exposed a thousand and a thousand times his life, preserving often the 
subjects of the king, and the glory of his arms, and who could himself 
say that he had nothing in his actions, but the glory of France, during 
his residence in Canada, in which he had spent much of his life. 

His services had not the same result in the last war for the preservation 
of Canada, but the bi-illiant and almost incredible actions by which he 
contributed to it, have not the less preserved, with the savages, the notion 
and the high idea of French valor, and possible this feeling may here 
after result to our advantage. 

I would wish to be able to report all of the letters of ministers, gover 
nors-general and private persons, of bishops, of intendants, and of othei 
persons in authority, who witnessed with surprise the projects, the nego- 
tiations, and the operations of which this missionary bad the charge, the 
congratulations which he received on his successes, as prompt as they 
Avere inspiring, upon his resources, upon the expedients which he sug- 
gested, his zeal and his experience in critical situations, and which his 
activity always put into execution. 

I have often asked him to make a history of them, that should be alike 
curious and honorable for France. 

We find a part of these letters among his papers; I have there seen 
among others, those of M, de Montcalm, who called him ''My dear and 
very worthy patriarch of the Five nations^ 

M. the marquis de L^vis, desired especially to make known the labors 
and the successes of M. Picquet, of which he had been a witness, and 
which he had admired both for their disinterestedness, as well for 
regard to France as against the English, after the conquest of^Canada; 
and I have witnessed the solicitations which M. de L6vis made to excite 
his ambition, or direct towai-ds some important place, a zeal which 
was worthy of a bishopric. 

The evidence of his ecclesiastical superiors, was not less favorable to 
the zeal of our missionary. The bishop of Quebec in 1760, departing for 
Europe, after having visited the new mission which M. Picquet had 
founded among the Iroquois, and where he had baptized more than a 
hundred adults, enjoined upon all the priests of his diocese, to aid him as 
much as they might be able ; he conferred upon him all his powers, 
even those of approving the other priests, and of absolving fi'om ceu- 
, sures, reserved to the sovereign Pontiff. 

M. Picquet after returning from France, passed several years in Paris, 
but a portion of his time was engaged in exercising the ministry of all 
the suburbs, where the archbishop of Paris deemed that he could be 
most useful. His alacrity for labor fixed him a long time at Mount 
Vall^rien, where he erected a parish church. 

He had been compelled to make a journey to sell books, which the 
king had presented him in 1754, which had survived the treatment he 
had experienced in Canada, and although he was reduced to a very 
small patrimony, he failed to employ his activity in obtaining the 
recompenses he had so well merited. 

Meanwhile the general assembly of the clergy of 1765, oflfered him a 
gratuity of twelve hundred livres, and charged M. the archbishop of 
Rheims, and M. the archbishop of Aries, to solicit for him a recom- 
pense from the king. 

The assembly next ensuing in 1770, gave him also a similar gratuity, 
but his departure from Paris interrupted the success of the hopes which 
his friends had entertained of the recompenses from the court, 

6 



b4 ' HISTORV OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In 1772, he wished to retire to Bresse, where a numerous family de- 
sired it, and urged it with much earnestness. 

He afterwards went to Verjon, where he caused to be built a house, 
with the view of making an establishment for the education of young 
peo])le. He preached, he catechised, he confessed, and his zeal was 
never so much manifested. 

The chapter of Bourg, decreed him the title ef honorary canon. The 
ladies de la Visitation, asked him to become their director, and they 
thus attracted him to the capital of the province. 

In 1777 he made a journey to Rome, where his reputation had preced- 
ed him, and where the Holy Father received him as a missionary worthy 
of being held dear by the church, and presented him with a gratuity of 
five thousand livres for his journey. 

They there made the ineffectual endeavors to detain him; he returned 
to Bresse, and carried thither relics which he displayed for the venera- 
tion of the faithful, in the collegiate church at Bou.g. 

The reputation of the Abbey of Cluny, and the friendship which M. 
Picquet felt towards one of his nephews, established at Cluny, brought 
him to this habitation, so celebrated in Christianity'. He purchased for 
himself, about 1779, a house and plat of land, which he wished to im- 
prove, but in 1781, he repaired with a sister to Verjon, for the settlement 
of affairs, where he was repeatedly attacked by an obstinate cold, and 
by a hemorrage, which reduced him considerably; and also by a kind of 
dropsy; lastly a hernior, which had existed a long time, became aggra- 
vated and caused his death, on the 15th of July, 1781. 

M. Picquet had a very prepossessing and commanding figure, and a 
countenance open and engaging. He possessed a gay and cheerful 
humor. Notwithstanding the austerity of his maimers, he exhibited 
nothing but gaiety, which he turned to account in his designs. He was 
a theologian, an orator, and a poet, be sung and composed songs in 
French, as well as in Iroquois, with which he interested and amused the 
savages. He was a child with one, and a hero with others. His me- 
chanical ingenuity was often admired by the natives. In short, he re- 
sorted to every means to attract proselytes, and to attach them to him, 
and he accordingly had all the success which can reward industry, 
talents, and zeal. 

It is thus I have thought best to make known a compatriot and a 
friend, worthy of being offered, as an example to incite those who are 
burning with zeal for religion and for their country. 

Picquet was as much an object of abhorrence by the English, as he was 
of esteem by the French, a very natural result ft-om the active partizan 
spirit which he evinced, and the zeal and success with which he prose- 
cuted his plans for the aggrandizement of his faith, and his allegiance, 
which appear to have been equally the object of his ambition, and the aim 
and end of his life. Having given in the above biographical notice his 
memoirs drawn up in that florid style of paneygric, so common with the 
people and the age in which it was written, we will quote from an Eng- 
lish historian of the French war. fThos. Mante, in a work entitled The 
History of the Late War in America, London, 1772, quarto, page 231.) 
It is probably as much biased by prejudice, as the other by partiality. 

"As to the Abb6 Picquet, who distinguished himself so much by his 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 85 

brutal zeal, as he did not expose himself to any danger, he received no 
injury; and he yet lives, justly despised to such a degree by every one 
who knows any thing of his past conduct in America, that scarce any 
officer will admit him to his table. 

However repugnant it must be to every idea of honor and humanity, 
not to give quarter to an enemy when subdued, it must be infinitely more 
so, not to spare women and children. Yet such had often been the ob- 
jects of the Abb6 Picquet's cruel advice, enforced by the most barbarous 
examples, especially in the English settlements on the back of Virginia 
and Pennsylvania." 

To adopt either of these as a true account of the character of Picquet, 
would be equally unjust. Now that the times and circumstances in which 
he lived, have both passed away, and even the consequences resulting from 
his actions, have ceased to exist, we may perhaps from the data before us, 
in view of the times and the circumstances in which he acted, deduce the 
following conclusion : 

That he was actuated by a controlling belief of the importance and 
the truth of the religion which belabored with such zeal to establish, and 
that this was the ruling passion of his life. That his energy and ability 
for the pi'omotion of this object, at times led him to disregard the common 
claims of humanity, and to the performance of acts derogatory to our 
nature, and abhoi-red by civilized man. 

That he evinced a capacity for the transaction of business and the pro- 
motion of the interests of his government, highly creditable to his charac- 
ter, and such as to entitle him to the esteem in which he was held by 
those in authority; and that especially in the selection of a location for a 
new settlement, which was the great act of his life, he proved himself the 
possessor of a sound mind, and a capacity for judiciously combining and 
comparing, the probable effects of causes, which must have made a pro- 
minent station of the post he selected. 

The prophecy that a beautiful town might hereafter be built on the ele- 
vated plain opposite his fort, has been fully realized in the present village 
of Ogdensburgh, which the combination of favorable causes now exist- 
ing, is destined soon to give a rank second to but few on our inland 
waters. 

The portrait of Picquet is preserved at the Sulpician Mission of the- 
Lake of Two Mountains, the scene of his early labors, and first succesa 
as a missionary. Picquet was succeeded in the mission of La Presenta- 
tion, by Le Garde, a Sulpician, concerning whom the author has been un- 
able to learn any particulars. 

A French writer, whose initials only are given, (S^- de C— ) has left a 
memoir upon the war in Canada, and the afjairs of that province from 
1749 till 1760, which was published uodgr the direction of the Literary 



86 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and Historical Society of Quebec, in 1835, and which makes frequent 
mention of the post at Oswegatchie. From this work we will translate 
a lew extracts. 

The rancor with which he assails Picquet, almost leads us to believe 
that he was actuated by a personal enmity, although it appears not to have 
been limited to this missionary, but to have been directed towards the 
religious establishments of the country in general. 

We shall endeavor to jireserve the spirit of the original, in our trans- 
lation. We are thus furnished with two versions of the conduct of 
Picquet; and prevented from being misled by an ex-parte narrative, like 
that which Lalande the astronomer, has given us. 

" Thus M. de la Jonqui^re, persuaded that peace could not long con- 
tinue, labored to inspire the savages with a hatred to the English ; and 
especially endeavored to attach the five nations or Iroquois. These 
people had been always distinguished by their bravery; the French had 
waged with them long and cruel wars, and the inhabitants had been 
compelled to labor arms in hand, as we see in the history of Charlevoix, 
a Jesuit, who has written an ecclesiastical history of this country. 

This nation is divided into five branches, named the Onontagues, the 
Goyoguins, the Stonnontowans, [Senecas,] the Anniers, [Mohawks.] and 
the domiciliated tribes. 

The Onondagas dwell upon a lake, at no great distance from the 
Mohawk river, in a fertile country, and the English pretend that it be- 
longs to them. The Goyogowins, and the Stonnontowans, are a little 
beyond in the same direction, and approaching Niagara. The Anniers 
dwell upon the river Mohawk, not far from a dwelling belonging to Mi*. 
Johnson, an English officer, who understands the Indian language, and 
has been very active during this war. The others reside at the Saut St. 
Louis, three leagues from Montreal ; some at a place called la Presenta- 
tion, and some at the lake of Two Mountains. 

The general can well rely upon the fidelity of those who dwell near 
him, but it is not so of the others. Their cantons situated as we have 
seen, above, furnish in one way and another, difficulties not easy to 
surmount. 

M. the Abbe Picquet, priest of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, was to 
this canton, what the Abbe de Laloutre, was to Acadia. He had as 
much ambition as he had, but he turned it to a different account.* He 
understood the Iroquois language, and this gave him a great advantage, 
and enabled him to put on foot the negotiations which he wished with 
the five nations, to draw them to our cause, and engage them to come 
and dwell with us. This Abbe, who could not endure the restraint of 
the seminary, was very willing to seize an occasion like that which 
offered, of freeing himself, and of forming a community over which he 
might rule and reign. He labored to decoy the five nations, and to form 
upon the River Cataraqui, or Frontenac, above the rapids, a village. 

The place which he selected for his establishment, announced his 
little genius, and caused the fort which he had built to be called Picket's 
Folly; as lor himself he called it la Presentation, of which we here 
insert a plan. 

* Hocquart has given him the title of the Apostle of tlit Iroquois, and the English called 
him the Jesuit of the West. — [Note in the original] 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 87 

When the Abbe Picquet had assembled some families, h« tj^^ed of 
building a fort, under the pretext of protectmg them, and ^ey sent hun 
a Conn?.andant, and a magazine g-rd and -f "-Id'l.rri'To tS speaT 
mandaut, to have much regard for the Abb6, and placed h.m, so to^Peak, 
under his tutelage, and gave full permission to this P^^^t to conduct and 
administer the magazines; in short everythmg ^^^.""d^^" *^^^ ° .If 'he,^ 
This priest meanwhile did not prosper much, and it was felt that tiieie 
was great difficulty in inducing the Iroquois to leave a ft and feiti e 
country, to come and fix themselves upon an uncultivated tract, and to 
beg ibr their life of a priest. It was for this reason that de la Jonq m^ie 
the elder, was sent to go and remain among them, ^"d in the vd age 
which he might deem the most convenient for his negotiations, and they 
gave him a brevet of captain, without a company, to the end that tie 
might not be dismrbed in his residence, on account ot his services. 

There could not have been chosen a more suitable person to remam 
with them. He understood their language perfectly, and tor a long time 
had lived among them, as one of their number, and aUhough he had 
been married in Canada, he had among the Iroquois many children , and 
in short, he had been as it were, adopted among them, and was regarded 
as one of their nation. , „■„„„. 

He had his cabin. His instructions were to second the Abbe Ficquet, 
in his project, and above all to induce the Mohawks to leave entirely 
the vicinity of the English, and to offer them such niducements, and 
advJmages as they desired, to make them abandon their settlements, 
and Se and live with l>s. If indeed he had been able to succeed m 
this, there can be no doubt that the remainder of the five nations wou d 
have followed their example. They alone were directly attached to the 
English, who had all along preserved in them a hostility to om- nat «n. 
But Mr. Johnson, who was not ignorant of the designs of theliench, 
laboured on the contrary, to maintain them in the alliance of his nation. 
The Jesuits who had always sought their own aggrandizement, undei 
the pious pretext of instructing the people, had not failed to seek to es- 
tablish themselves in Canada. . , 

Wishing to remain the sole masters they crossed, as much as possible, 
the Recollets in their projects of returning to the country after the 
English had restored Canada, [in the treaty of St. Germain m 1632.] Fiom 
the earliest times that these fathers, (the Jesuits,) were established m the 
countrv, they detached some of their number, to go and preach the gos- 
pel to the savages. They followed them in their marches, but wearied 
with their wandering life, which agreed not with their designs, which 
thev had to accumulate large properties, they took great care to endea- 
vor to establish their neophytes, without embarrassing themselves by 
those whom they abandoned. 

Thev made great account of their zeal at the court, and showed large 
numbers of converts, and under the specious pretext ol unitmg them, 
to civilize them,* they demanded concessions of lands, and pensions. 
The court persuaded of the justice of their demands, accorded both the 

''"it was\irus\hat they acquired the Seigniories of Charlesbourg; New 
and Old Lorette: Rastican,and the Prairie de la Magdeliene, and others, 
which are very well established, and of considerable repute. Ihese 
concessions were given them under the titles of Seigneune et ventes. 
{lods et rentes.) * * * 

* The author in the MSS. neither renders justice to the motives, iior the coiiduci, of the 
Jesuits.— [iVoJe in the oriental ] 



88 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The village of the Saiit St. Louis, is situated upon the south bank of 
the river St. Lawrence, three leagues above Montreal. It is inhabited by 
Iroquois. The Jesuits have there a very fine and flourishing mission. 
Father Tournois governs this mission, and like a good Jesuit, puts the 
profit to his own interest, and that of his order. This seigniory has been 
directly assigned to the Iroquois ; but the Jesuits had obtained subse- 
quently to the Indians, a title of concession under the pretense of pre- 
venting the savages from going to Montreal to buy merchandize, where 
brandy was often given them, and to prevent them from drinking this 
liquor." 

We find among the Bradstreet and Amherst MSS. (State Library ,j a 
communication from the former, dated at Schenectady, Dec. 15, 1775, in 
which he complains of the danger there will be of depending upon the 
interest which Sir William Johnson was expected to secure, with the 
aid of £5000 sterling which had been given him in the spring of that 
year to be laid out among the six nations, exclusive of those who had 
settled at Swegache. He complains of this as very unwise because 
these Indians were in the frequent practice of visiting their relatives and 
urging them to espouse the cause of the French. The consequence 
was that great numbers who had early in the season been favorably 
inclined, became settled in their attachment to the enemies of the 
English. 

The scalping parties fitted out at la Pi-esentation, which proved so 
harrassing to the English settlements along the Mohawk rivei*, and the 
frontier of New York during the year 1758-9, at length led to an 
attempt by Brigadier General Gage, inJ957, to put a stop to these out- 
rages, by crushing the fortress from whence they issued. 

This General had been instructed " in case Niagara should be reduced, 
to take post immediately at a place called by the French la Galette, 
near the entrance of the river St. Lawrence, and as soon as General 
Amherst was informed of the above event, he sent Major Christie to 
Brigadier Gage to enforce those orders, as by that means the English on 
the Mohawk river, would be as effectually free from the inroads of the 
enemy's scalping parties, and be enabled to live in as much security as 
the inhabitants of any part of the country, between Crown Point and 
New York, had already been. But however necessary it might be to 
take possession of this post, the difficulties which would attend the doing 
of it, appeared to Brigadier Gage so great, that he thought proper to 
make the General acquainted with them, and in the mean time defer the 
execution of his orders to a more favorable opportunity. 

As the General deemed the post an object of the first consequence, he 
was greatly chagrined at the account from Brigadier Gage, especially as 
the season would be too far advanced before his orders, if he renewed 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, 89 

them, could reach Brigadier Gage, for the Brigadier to execute them, he, 
therefore was obliged to postpone this necessary business to another 
campaign.* 

The French fortress at Quebec, was reduced by the English army 
under the command of General Wolfe, in 1759. 

The various French posts in the interior, still remained, and to com- 
plete the conquest three expeditions were fitted out early in the season 
of 1760, One of these ascended the St. Lawrence from Quebec, another 
proceeded towards Montreal by way of Lake Champlain, and the third, 
under Sir Jeffery Amherst, proceeded by way of Oswego, and down the 
St. Lawrence, encountering in its way the strong fortress on Isle Royal 
which he reduced. The details of this event, as related by Mante, the 
historian of that war, are here given. (P. 300.) 

"The necessary preparations having been made to bring the whole 
power of the British forces in North America against Montreal, in order 
to finish by its reduction the war in this part of the world; and the 
season being sufficiently advanced to enable Sir Jetfery Amherst, the 
commander-in-chief, to commence his part of the operations, he em- 
barked at New York on the 3d of May, and proceeded to Schenectady. 
From thence with a part of his army, he pursued his route to Oswc-go, 
where he encamped on the 9th of July. The remainder he ordered to' 
follow with the greatest diligence, under the command of Brigadier Gage. 
On the I4th two vessels hove in sight on Lake Ontario, which proving to 
be those that had been fitted out at Niagara, under the command of Cap- 
tain Loring, boats were immediately dispatched to him, with orders to 
look out for, and attack the French vessels cruising on the lake. On the 
20th, two more vessels appeared, and proving to be the French vessels 
which had escaped Captain Loring's vigilance, a small boat was imme- 
diately dispatched to cruise for him, with an account of this discovery; 
and, at the same time, to prevent his being obliged to return to Oswego, 
for want of provisions, the General ordered Captain Willyamoz, with a 
detachment of one hundred and thirty men in twelve boats, to take post 
on the Isle-Aux-Iroquois, and supply Captain Loring with everything he 
might want. On the 22d, Brigadier Gage arrived with the rear of the 
army; as did Sir William Johnson on the 23d, with a party of Indians. 

On the 24th, the General received intelligence, that the French vessels 
had escaped into the river St. Lawrence, and that Captain Loring was 
returning with the Onondaga, and the Mohawk', of eighteen six pounders. 

On the fifth of August, the General ordered the army to be in readi- 
ness to embark. It consisted of the following troops : 

The first and second battalion of Royal Highlanders. 

Forty-fourth regiment. 

Forty-sixth. 

Fifty-fifth, 

Fourth battalion of the sixtieth. 

Fight companies of the seventy-seventh. 

Five of the eightieth. 

Five hundred and ninety-seven grenadiera. 

One hundred and forty-six rangers. 

* History of the laie war in North America, by Thomas Mante, p 217. 



90 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Three battalions of the New York regiment. 
New Jersey regiment. 

Four battaUons of the Connecticut regiment, and one hundred and 
sixty-seven of the Royal Artillery, amounting in the whole, to ten thou- 
sand one hundi-ed and forty-two effective men, officers included. 

The Indians under Sir William Johnson, were seven hundred and six. 
On the 7tli Captain Loring sailed with his two vessels, and imme- 
diately after, the first battalion of Royal Highlanders, the grenadiers of the 
army, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Massey, with Captain Camp- 
bell, of the forty second to assist him as Major; the light infantry, com- 
manded by Lieutenant Colonel Amherst, with Captain Delancey as Major 
to assist him, with Ogden'sand Whyte's companies of rangers, the whole 
under the command of Colonel Haldiman, embarked and sailed to take - 
post at the entrance of the river St. Lawrence. 

On the 10th, the general himself embarked, with the Royal Artillery, 
the regulars, Sir William Johnson and a part of his Indians, in boats 
and whale boats; but, the wind being very high, and the water of the 
lake very rough, they were forced to make for a small creek, at whose 
entrance there is a very dangerous bar, on which one of the artillery 
boats was lost. The next day, the weather being a little more moderate, 
the General at noon, proceeded for the river de la Motte, and on the 
12th was joined by Brigadier Gage, with the provincials in a bay, 
Avhere the enemy had lately encamped. On the 13th the whole 
embarked, and that very day encamped with Colonel Haldiman, 
at the post which he had taken at the head of the River St. Law- 
rence. Captain Loring, with his two vessels, having mistaken the 
channel from the lake to the River St. Lawrence, the army passed 
him, while he was endeavoring to extricate himself. On the 13th, the 
whole army gained Point de Baril, in the neighborhood of the post 
called La-Gallette, which Brigadier Gage was ordered to destroy the 
X^receding year. Hei3 the enemy had a very good dock, in which they 
built their vessels. 

The grenadiers and light infantry, with the row-gallies, took post that 
day, without halting, at Oswegatchie, a few miles below Point au Baril. 
All this while, one of the enemy's vessels kept hovering about the 
army ; and as Captain Loring had not yet got into the right channel, it 
became necessary, for the safety of the ai'my, either to compel this vessel 
to retire, or to take her. 

The General was therefore obliged to order Colonel Williamson, with 
the row-gallies well manned, to do one or the other. On the 17th, the 
gallies advanced with the utmost intrepidity, under a heavy fire from the 
enemy; but it did not in the least dampen the ardor of the assailants; 
their fire was returned ^vith such resolution and bravery, that after a 
severe contest of almost four hours, the French vessel struck her colors. 
She mounted ten twelve-pounders, and had on board one hundred men, 
twelve of whom were killed or wounded. The general immediately 
named the vessel the Williamson, in honor of the Colonel, and to per- 
petuate the memoi-y of so gallant an action. The same day the army 
proceeded to Oswegatchie, from whence it was necessary to reconnoitre 
Isle-Royal, so that it was noon the next day before the army could 
proceed. 

Fort Levi stood on this island, which was otherwise strongly fortified. 
Though the reduction of Fort Levi could be of little service, merely as 
a fort, yet it was certainly of too much consequence t'> be left in the 
rear of an army ; besides, the number of pilots, perfectly acquainted 
with the navigation of the River St. Lawrence, which the making of the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 91 

garrison prisoners would aiibrd, was alone a sufficient motive for attack- 
ing it. It was therefore invested that very evening. Whilst the English 
were passing the point, the French kept upa very smart cannonade upon 
them, and destoyed one of the row-galliea, and a few boats, and killed 
two or three men ; but notwithstanding this fire, and an uninterrupted 
continuance of it, the fort was so completely invested by the 20th, by the 
masterly disposition of the troops, as to make it impossible for the garri- 
son to escape. 

Captain Loriug had arrived the day before, with his two vessels, and 
the Williamson brig, and the batteries being now ready, the general, on 
the 23d, determined to assault the fort, that as little time as possible 
might be wasted on it. He therefore ordered the vessels to fall down 
• the stream, post themselves as close to the fort as possible, and man their 
tops well, in order to fall upon tlie enemy, and prevent their making use 
of their guns; whilst the grenadiers rowed in with their broadswords 
and tomahawks, facines and scaling ladders, under cover of tlu-ee hundred 
of the light iufanti-y, who were to fire into the embrasures. 

The grenadiers received their orders with a cheerfulness that might 
be I'egarded as a sure omen of success; and with their usual alacrity, 
]n-epared for the attack, waiting in their shirts till the ships could take 
their proper stations. 

This tlje Williamson brig, cojnmanded by Lieutenant Sinclair, and 
the Mohawk, by Lieutenant Phipps, soon did; and both sustained and 
returned a very heavy fire. But the Onondaga, in which was Captain 
Loring, by some extraordinary blunder, ran a-ground. The enemy dis- 
covering his distress, plied her with such unceasing showers of great 
and small arms, that Captain Loring thought proper to strike his colors, 
and sent Thornton, his master, on shore, to the enemy, who endeavored 
to take possession of the vessel ; but by Colonel Williamson's obsei-ving 
it, he turned upon them a battery, which obliged them to desist from 
the uniiertaking. The General then ordered Lieutenant Sinclair from 
the Williamson brig, and Lieutenant Pennington, with two detachments 
of grenadiers under their command, to take possession of the Onondaga, 
and they obeyed their ordei's with such undaunted resolution, that the 
English colors were again hoisted on board of her. But the vessel after 
all, could not be got otF, and was therefore abandoned about midnight. 
The English batteries, however, put a stop to any further attempt of the 
enemy to board her. Captain Loring being wounded, was in the mean 
time sent ashore. This accident of the Onondaga's running aground, 
obliged the General to defer for the present his plan of assault, but this 
delay proved rather a fortunate event, as it saved a good deal of blood, 
for on the 25th, M. Pouchet, the commandant, beat a parley, demanding 
what terms he might expect; to which no answer was returned, but that 
the fort must be immediately given up, and the garrison surrendered 
prisoners of war, and but ten minutes were given for a reply. These 
terms where received within the ten minutes; and Lieutenant Colonel 
Massey, with the grenadiers, immediately took possession of the place. 

The loss of the English before it, was twenty-one killed, and nineteen 
wounded. The first shot from the English battery killed the French 
oflicer of artillery. Eleven more were killed afterwards, and about ibrty 
wounded. The garrison, and all of the pilots, lor the sake of whom chiefly 
the place had been attacked, were sent to New York; and the General 
named the fort, Fort William Augustus. 

On the surrender of Fort Levi, the Indians following the English army, 
prepared agreeably to their bloody custom, when at war, to enter the fort 
in order to tomahawk and massacre the garrison. But General Amherst, 



92 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

being apprised of theii* intentions, immediately sent orders to Sir William 
Johnson, to persuade them if possible, to desist, declaring at the same 
time, that, if they offered to enter the fort, he would compel them to 
retire. The stores he promised should be delivered to them, as his army 
was not in want of what few blankets might be found there; this mes- 
sage had its desired effect. The Indians though with great apparent 
reluctance, and ill humor, were prevailed on to return to their camp; 
however, their resentment increased to such a degree, that Sir William 
Johnson informed the General, he was apprehensive they would quit the 
army, and returu to their respective villages and castles. The General 
replied : " That he believed his army fully sufficient for the service he was 
going upon, without their assistance; that, tliough he wished to pi'eserve 
their friendship, he could not prevail on himself to purchase it at the. 
expense of countenancing the horrid barbarities they wanted to perpe- 
trate; and added, that, if they quitted the army, and on their return 
should commit any acts of cruelty, he should assuredly chastise them." 
Upon this most of these creatures, who amounted to about seven hundred, 
abandoned Sir William Johnson, and returned to their respective villages 
and castles, but without committing the least violence; the faithful few, 
in number about one hundred and seventy, who continued with the 
army, were afterwards distinguished by medals, which the General gave 
them, that they might be known at the English posts, and receive the 
civil treatment their humanity, and their affection for the English entitled 
them to. 

If the French plan of policy had admitted of similar exertions of hu- 
manity towards their prisoners, there is no doubt but they might thereby 
have equally prevented the commission of acts, which, even had they con- 
quered, would have been sufficient to sully the glory of their greatest 
achievements. 

Till the 30th, the army was employed in leveling the batteries, and re- 
pairing boats and rafts for the artillery, which was now embarked with 
the necessary stores; and on the 31st, the General, with the first division 
of the army, consisting of the artillery, the grenadiers, and the light in- 
fantry, the 44th and 55th regiments, the 4th battalion of Royal Americans, 
and three regiments of provincials, embarked about noon, and in the 
evening reached the Isle-Aux-Chats, [opposite Louisville landing,] having 
passed the first rapids. On the 1st of September, they proceeded about 
ten miles further, and encamped. On the 2d, Brigadier Gage, with the 
other division, joined the General, having lost three Highlanders, in going 
over the Falls. The whole now proceeded together, entered Lake St. . 
Francis, and that very evening reached Pointe-Aux-Boudets, where, the 
weather being extremely bad, the General halted. On the 3d, a prisoner 
was brought in, who gave intelligence that Colonel Haviland had taken 
possession of the Isle-Aux-Noix, the enemy having abandoned it on his 
a|)|)roach. 

The navigation of the River St. Lawrence, is, in this place, perhaps, 
the most intricate and dangerous of any actually used in North America, 
without the assistance of pilots accustomed to the force and direction of 
its various eddies. Though the French have been constantly going up 
and down the river ever since their possession of Canada, General Am- 
herst's attem[)t to navigate it in the manner he did, was judged impracti- 
cable. No doubt, the route by Lake George and Lake Champlain, might 
have been the easiest to penetrate by into Canada; but this by the 
Mohawk River, Oswego, and the River St. Lawrence, opened a passage 
which had as yet, been unexplored by the English, and effectually de- 
prived the French of the opportunity of carrying on the war another cam- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 93 

paign, by retreating to their unconquered posts at Detroit, and elsewhere 
to the south. Those who declared the river impracticable to the English, 
grounded their opinion on the unsuccessfulness of the attempt made on 
La Galette, the preceding year, by General Gage; not considering the 
difference between a feeble irresolute eflFort, and a strong determined 
stroke. 

The pilots taken at Fort Levi, contributed much to the safety of the 
army in this navigation ; or, it would have been equally tedious. 

The chief art of getting through these rapids with a number of boats, 
consists in the making them keep a profyer distance. Without the great- 
est attention to ihis precaution, the lives of those who pass the Cedar 
Falls, especially, must be in the utmost danger. 

Jt must be confessed, that the appearance of broken rocks, and inac- 
cessible islands, interspersed in the current of a rapid river, and the foam- 
ing surges rebounding from them, without a direct channel to discharge 
itself by, presents a scene of horror unknown in Europe; yet the mind, 
by degrees, soon loses the sensation of terror, and becomes free enough 
to direct the actions of the body. 

On the 4th of September, the General put the army in motion , and it 
soon cleared the Lake St. Francis, and entered a country lately well in- 
habited, but now a mere desert. Aliout noon, the van of the army en- 
tered the Cedar Falls. 

This, as we have already hinted, is hy far the most dangerous part of 
the whole river, and had the boats crowded too. close upon each other, 
most of them must have perished. 

Accordingly, for the want of sufficient precaution, twenty-nine boats 
belonging to the regiments, seventeen whale boats, seventeen artillery 
boats, and one row galley, were dashed to pieces, with the loss of eighty- 
eight men; and this too before, on account of the night's approaching, 
the whole of the army could get through; what did, encamped on the 
Isle-Perrot. On the 5th, in the morning, the remainder, taking care tf» 
pi-eserve a proper distance, passed the rapid with ease. During the stay, 
the General was obliged to make, to repair the damaged boats, the in- 
habitants came flocking in, and took the oath of allegiance to his Britannic 
Majesty. 

Humanity and clemency ever attended on the victories of the Romans; 
the princes and the people who submitted to their arms, were sure of 
protection ; and those who dared to opj)ose them, were made to feel the 
weight of their greatness and power. 

True policy might alone be thought sufficient, especially after such an 
illustrious example, to make the generals of every nation adopt such con- 
ciliating measures. It would have been justly a matter of surprise, if, 
from the national feelings of his own heart, independent of any other 
motive, General Amherst had neglected to stretch forth the hand of com- 
miseration, to the number of trembling, despairing wretches, who now 
appeared before him. The blood that had been shed in the wantonness 
of cruelty, had expunged from their breasts every hope of mercy; and 
they advanced like culprits approaching a judge, to receive the sentence 
due to their crimes. 

Full as they were of conscious guilt, how great must have been their 
joy, to find themselves forgiven, i-estored to their possessions, and to their 
families; to be received as friends, and have every necessary provided 
for them as such, and to crown all, to know, for certain, that they might 
securely depend on a continuance, or rather an increase of these bless- 



94 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

From a map in Mante's History of the War in Canada, which repre- 
sents the channel of the St. Lawrence, above and below Isle Royal, it ap- 
pears that the English army were encamped on Indian Point, opposite 
the island where batteries were erected, and on the north shore. Bat- 
teries were opened on the islands under the Canada shore, and detached 
posts were established on the point opposite the Galloo Island, and upon 
that island, and the small one near its head. 

The following account is preserved of the building of the fortress on 
Isle Royal, which was accomplished but the year before its reduction. 
It received its name fi'om the French officer, who superintended its erec- 
tion. — (See Memoirs sur le Canada, p. 168.) 

"M. the chevalier de L6vis, had returned to the rapids, where he had 
ordered the construction of a fort, on an island called Oraconenton, 
about a league above the rapids. He gave orders that they should finish 
a bark, of which the building had been interrupted, in order to send the 
laborers to Quebec; the arrangement for the defense was, that the barks 
with the Jacobites, should form the first line; the Isle Oraconenton, and 
tlie others, the second, and the third at the Galops, which is at the com- 
mencement of the rapids ; and thus they desired to defend themselves, 
from rapid to rapid. 

This project would have been good, if they had had suitable bateaux 
to defend this river, which is extremely wide towards La Presentation, 
and defend the different passages of the rapids. 

After these arrangements had been made, he descended to Montreal, 
whei'e he learned that the Canadians had left their arms, to go to secure 
their harvest. 

Against these he promulgated an ordinance, under pain of death ; but 
it was represented to him, that it would be impossible to enforce this 
ordinance, as it did not emanate from M. de Vaudreuil, and this general 
did not have the power of the court, and that the Canadians could only 
be regarded as volunteers, who served without pay. * * * 

M. de Levis said, that if any one in the army wished to desert, he 
would cut off his head, but they boldly replied to him that if they knew 
that these were his sentiments, he would not find a single militia man, 
either at the Isle-Aux-Noix, nor at Oraconenton, and that they would take 
care that he should not find them. This threat intimidated hJm, and he 
said no more; he left to visit the Isle Aux Noix, and concerted with M. 
de Bourlamarque, for its defense, with whom a little time after, he as- 
cended to Oraconenton, to the end that he might accelerate by his pre- 
sence, the works there in progress, and defend in person the rapids, 
against the army of M. de Bostwick, who was still encamped at Choua- 
guen, and seemed preparing to descend. James Zouch, an English offi- 
cer, had surprised La Presentation, having come through the woods 
from the army of Amherst, to La Presentation, to carry the letters of 
this general to Bostwick, and who had come out too low down. The 
five nations even sent belts to the savages of La Pi'esentation, to invite 
them to withdraw. 

These news which were received, one after the other, made him urge 
the works on the tort; and it was under these circumstances, that M. de 
Levis received the tidings of the death of M. de Montcalm, and of the 
battle, with the order to descend as quickly as possible to Montreal, 
whence he continued his route to Jacques Cartier. » * * 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 95 

M. de L6vis, having given ordei-s to fortify Jacques Cartier, gave the 
command of this post to M. Dumas, and returned to Montreal. The 
fortification of the Isle Oraconenton, was given to M. Pouchot, who had 
been exchanged with many other prisoners, and they continued to labor 
at the Isle Aux Noix; they added to the middle of these entrenchments, 
a fort, en eioile, in which buildings were erected for the lodgement of the 
garrison and officers." 

The St. Lawrence became a thoroughfare of prime importance, in the 
French and English war, that ended with the conquest of Canada, in 
1760. From the paper from which we have previously quoted, (Memoirs 
sur le Canada.) we will here translate, commencing near the close of the 
year 1758. 

"In fine, M. de Vaudreuil, had decided to construct two barks in the 
place of those that were burned, and consequently to recall M. Duplessis 
fiom Frontenac, and to put there a commanding officer with a garrison. 
He had given orders to Duplessis, to retire entirely with his detachment; 
this was done on the 26th of October. He found at La Presentation, the 
orders which he had given to descend, and sent the Sieur Chevalier 
Benoit, the commander, to Fort Fi-ontenac, with a detachment of troops 
and Canadians. He was sent as well to protect the baggage and the mu- 
nitions of war, and the provisions, which were to pass by that way to the 
upper countiy, as to establish this post. Sieur Duplessis, also, had orders 
as well to send back those on the part of Montigni, to Niagara, who had 
come down, and who were to make this voyage with those sent in the 
canoes, in charge of the baggage and mei'chandise. 
* * * Sieur the Chevalier Benoit, was of a Parisian family, and had 
absolutely nothing; he was one of those men, of nothing, who because 
they are such, charitably believe all others to be rogues. He was a man 
of chimeras, devout, with much wit, some little polish, and in addition 
to all, with some philosophy; and as for the rest, brave, and capaJ)le of 
doing honor to any service in which he wrs charged. 

He departed therefore from La Presentation, with an inconsiderable 
detachment, and repaired to Frontenac, with a royal magazine guard. 
As the posts of the upper country were naturally wanting in articles of 
ihe greatest necessity, the instructions were issued, that as great a quan- 
tity should be forwarded as possible. 

Officers were despatched to conduct these convoys, but theft and losses 
annihilated almost all of them. 

The Canadians at this time, fatigued, and dying of hunger, did not wish 
to pi'oceed further, and threatened to revolt; and to add to the misfor- 
tune, they demanded their payment; in short, they did us more harm 
than good at Niagara. Douville, commandant at Toronto, had evactuated 
that post, and retired to Niagara. Sieur de Cresse, assistant ship master 
of Canada, had been sent to Frontenac, with M. Laforce, captain of the 
builders, to construct two new gallies, as well to secure the supremacy of 
the lake, as to supply Niagara more easily, and to render the defense of 
this frontier the more respectable ; but as he Avas unable to find the ne- 
cessary timber at that point, here moved himself down towards La Pre- 
sentation, to a strait known by the name of Point au Bai'il, where the con- 
sti'uction was in every respect more easy. 

He thence wrote to the General, in waiting M. Benoit, who had orders to 
fortify himself, either at the shipyard of Frontenac, or its environs. After 
having carefully examined, he decided to fortify himself near the fort, 



96 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and in cousequence he cut down timber, to form four bastions, upon a 
prolongation fifty or sixty feet along the bank, and on the side of the fort. 

* * * But tlie General, who had received great complaints against 
Sieur de Lorimier, commanding officer at La Presensation, resolved to 
remove him, and to put in his place M. Benoit, and at the same time, in 
order to protect the works at Point au Baril, he gave the necessary orders 
to M. Benoit, who repaired there with all his garrison, and all that they had 
sent fi-oni Frontenac, and sent iron for the constructions at that place, and 
left not that which was at Frontenac. 

Point au Baril is distant three leagues from La Presentation, in 
ascending towards Frontenac, upon the right bank of the river St. Law- 
rence. 

Its location was less exposed to attack, than the coast at La Presenta- 
tion, which of itself was a post too feeble and too badly situated, to sus- 
tain an attack. They thei-efore transported thither all that was destined 
for Frontenac, and built entrenchments around the spot, chosen for the 
building of the vessels, and sent thither a magazine guard, under ayoung 
man attached to M. de Montcalm." 

From a map which accompanies the work from which we have been 
quoting, it appears that Point au Barril, [Barell Point,] was on the north 
shore of the river St. Lawrence, above La Presentation, and not far from 
the site of the present village of Maitland. We here insert the plan of 
the work as there given. 

This point is mentioned very frequently on maps 
ralating to the St Lawrence river, of an old date. 

* * * "It was from two prisoners sent by a de- 
tachment of Loups, by M. de Pouchot, that we learned 
that the army which descended by Chouaguen, and 
which was commanded by M, Amherst, at the head 
of 1500 men, was approaching. 

It from this appeared beyond doubt, that the colony 
was about to be attacked at the same moment by three 
different ways, azid that the slowness of the approach 
of Murrray, would avail nothing, when the three 
armies should assemble. 

M, Amherst, having made his preparations, departed from Chouaguen, 
and appeared before Oraconenton.* The fort of La Presentation, had 
been dismantled, and the plan of defense of M de L6vis, could not be 
entertained, in consequence of the superiority of the army of the English 
General. 

Accordingly, M. Amherst found no difficulty. Before commencing the 
siege of the Fort, he caused to be planted opposite to the fort, upon the 
main land, some batteries, which in a short time, razed the parapets, and 
ruined a part of the entrenchments. JM. Pouchot conducted the de- 
fense in a manner, that failed not to elicit the admiration of the English 
General. At length, finding himself no longer able to retain it, he sur- 
rendered the place, and the garrison was made prisoners of war. * * * 

The French Generals held frequent councils, but they amounted to 
nothing, because the junction of these armies, destroyed all plans of de- 

* This fort appears to have been situated {See Smith's History, t. Lp. 359,) upon Isle Royal, 
between La Presentation, (now 0<>:densburgh,) and the beginning of the rapids. (Note in the 
original.} 




AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 97 

fense which they had formed, and they were the more emharrassed be- 
cause they had but a slender stock of provisions, and no hopes of draw- 
ing more from the country. 

They did not know what lot M. Amherst would bring, nor how to treat 
with him in so unpleasant a place; and they could not hold out twenty- 
four hours. M. de Vaudreuil had, upon the departure of Amherst from 
Oraconenton, thought of submitting as soon as he should appear before 
the city. 

M. Amherst, after having reduced Oraconenton, chose from among the 
Canadians whom he there found, those who wei-e best qualified to con- 
duct barges and canoes, and leaving the savages who had hitherto ac- 
companied him, he descendedlto Soulauges, a small parish of the colony, 
and where are the last of the rapids, which were all passed hapily, at 
least without any considerable loss, and came and presented himself in 
good order, before the parish named Lachine, where his troops encamped 
without difficulty. The detachments which he had there, had orders to 
make preparations against the city."* 

The following is an account given of this transaction in the Annual 
Register" for 1760, page 58. 

" Having laid this general plan for completing the conquest of Canada, 
Lord Amherst, with an army of about 10,000 men, left Schenectady on 
the frontiers of New York, (Jujie 21, 1760,) and passed up the Mohawks' 
river, and down that of the Oneidas', to Oswego. The army he had 
collected there, consisted of about 10,000 men, regulars and provincials, 
Sir William Johnson, brought about a thousand savages of the Iroquois, 
or Five Nations ; the greatest number of that race of men which was 
ever seen in arms in the cause of England. 

It was a matter of the greatest difficulty, to transport so numerous an 
army, the whole of its artillery, its ammunition, and all its provisions, 
over the expanse of that vast lake, in open boats, and galleys; it required 
the greatest caution, and the exactest order, least they should fall foul 
upon one another, least they should be driven out too far to gain the land, 
on the first threatening of a storm, or least they should come too near 
the shore. But all the dispositions were made with the most admirable 
method, and with that regularity of military arrangements which makes 
so considerable a part in the character of that able commander, so that 
the whole army embarked on the twentieth of August. A detachment 
had been sent some days before, to clear the passage of the river St. Law- 
rence of any obstructions, and to find the best passage for the vessels. 

On the 27th, he had taken possession of Swegatchie, and made all 
dispositions for the attack of Isle Royal, a fort lower down the river, which 
commands the most important post, and as it were the key of Canada. 
The troops and boats were so disposed, that the Isle was completely 
invested, and the garrison was left no means of escape. The batteries 
were then raised, and opened, and after two days sharp firing, the fort 
surrendered. 

This being a post of importance both to command Lake Ontario, and 
to cover our frontier, the general spent some days here in order to repair 
the fort, and at the same time to fit out his vessels, and to prepare all 
things for passing his troops down the river, the most dangerous part of 
which he was now to encounter, as all the rapids lie between this place 
and Montreal; but notwithstanding all precautions, nearly ninety men 
were drowned in [)assing these dangerous falls, and a great number of 

* See noie A. in the appendix of this work. 



98 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

vessels broke to pieces. This loss from so large an embarkation, in such 
circumstances, is to be regarded as inconsiderable. 

At length, after a tedious, fatiguing and dangerous voyage of two 
months and seventeen days, the English saw, to their great joy, the Isle 
of Montreal, the object of their ardent wishes, and the period of their 
labors." 

There exists a tradition in the country, that the pilots who guided the 
vessels of Lord Amherst down the rapids, were bribed to pass them 
down the more dangerous routes, by the offer of large rewards by the 
enemy. It may well be questioned, whether men could be induced by 
any motive less than heroic patriotism, to conduct a craft down a channel 
in which a pi'obability, amounting to little less than a certainty, existed, 
that it would be engulphed in the angry surges of the rapids. 

Those who have passed down the river St. Lawrence, in steam boats, 
and witnessed the tumultuous war of waters, which this mighty Scylla 
and Charybdis, at once so wild, so grand, and so dreadful, presents; and 
reflects that a large army in a great number of boats, many of which were 
guided by inexperienced hands, constituted the flotilla, he will agree 
with the opinion of the author above quoted, that the number of lives 
lost is small compared with the whole number of the army, and the 
manifold dangers to which they were exposed. 

There is still said to exist, in the St. Lawrence, opposite the town of 
Massena, the wreck of one or two vessels, which are supposed to have 
belonged to the French or the English fleet, and to have perished about 
this time. 

General Israel Putnam, who afterwards shone most conspicuously in 
the revolutionary war, was in company with Lord Amherst in this ex- 
pedition, and fi-om what is well known of his energy and courage, there 
can be no doubt that he took an active part in the campaign, and was 
foremost in every enterprise that required the exercise of those traits of 
chai'acter, for which he was so eminent. 

While the English account just quoted, (perhaps from a national 
prejudice, and a desire then manifested to keep in a subordinate station 
the provincials,) does not mention the name of Putnam, in connection 
with this event. The following extract from the miscellaneous works 
of David Humphrey, (New York, 1804, p. 280-1,) gives in an account 
of the i-eduction of Isle Royal, quite a different version of the affair, and 
is perhaps equally chargable with partiality, in giving all the credit of the 
enterprise to an American officer. 

It appears probable that Humphrey's account is mostly fabulous. 

"In 1760, Gen. Amherst, a sagacious, humane and experienced com- 
mander, planned the termination of the war in Canada, by a bloodless 
conquest. For this purpose, three armies were destined to co-operate 
by different routes against Montreal, the only remaining place of strength 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 99 

the enemy held in that country. The corps formerly commanded by 
Wolf, now by General Aiurray, was ordei-ed to ascend the river St. 
Lawrence; another, under Col. Haviland, to penetrate by the Isle Aux 
Noix; and tlie third, consisting of about ten thousand men, commanded 
by the General himself, after passing up the Mohawk River, and taking 
its course by the Lake Ontario, was to form a junction by failing down 
the St. Lawrence. 

Jn this progress, more than one occasion presented itself to manifest 
the intrepidity and soldiership of Lieut. Col. Putnam. Two armed 
vessels obstructed the passage and prevented the attack on Oswegatchie 
Putnam, with one thousand men, in fifty batteaux, undertook to 
board them. This dauntless officer, ever sparing of the blood of others, 
as prodigal of his own, to accomplish it with the less loss, put himself, 
(with a chosen crew, a beetle and wedges,) in the van, with a design to 
wedge the rudders, so that the vessels should not be able to turn their 
broadsides, or to perform any other maneuvre. All the men in his 
little fleet were ordered to strip to their waistcoats, and advance at the 
same time. He promised if he lived, to join and show them the way 
up the side. Animated by so daring an example, they moved swiftly, 
in profound stillness^ as to certain victory or death. The people on board 
the shi|), beholding the good countenance with which they approached, 
ran one of the vessels on shore, and struck the colors of the other. 

Had it not been for the dastardly conduct of the ship's company in the 
latter, who compelled the captain to haul down his ensign, he would 
have given the as.-ailants a bloody reception ; for the vessels were well 
provided with s[)ars, nettings, and every customary instrument of annoy- 
ance, as well as defence. 

It now remained to attack the fortress, which stood on an island, and 
seemed to have been rendered inaccessible by a high abattis of black 
ash, that every where projected over the water. Lieutenant Colonel 
Putnam, [)roposed a mode of attack, and oftered his services to carry it 
into effect. The General approved the proposal. Our partizau, accord- 
ingly, caused a sufficient number of boats to be fitted for the entei-prise. 
The sides of each boat were surrounded with fascines, musket proof, 
which covered the men completely. A wide plank, twenty feet in length 
was then fitted to every boat, in such a manner by having an angular 
piece sawed fi"om one extremity that when fastened by ropes on both 
sides of the bow, it might be raised or lowered at pleasure. The design 
was, that the plank should be held erect, while the oarsmen forced the 
bow with the utmost exertion against the abattis, and that afterwards 
being dropped on the pointed brush, it should serve as a kind of bridge 
to assist the men in passing over them. Lieutenant Colonel Putnam, 
having made his dispositions to attempt the escalade in many places at 
the same momeiit, advanced with his boats in admirable order. The 
garrison perceiving these extraordinary and unexpected machines, waited 
not the assault, but capitulated. Putnam was particularly honored by 
"Gen. Amherst, for hi.ij ingenuity in this invention, and promptitude in 
its execution. The three armies arrived in Montreal within two days of 
each other, and the conquest of Canada became complete, without the 
iJoss of a single drop of blood." 

It has been justly remarked, that there is an air of incredibility about 
this statement, which of itself sufficiently impairs its value as a historical 
fact. That a crew of an armed ship, should have been terror stricken 
at the approach of a handful of unarmed men, or possessing the means 

r 



100 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of annihilating at a single discharge the insignificant array brought 
against them, should have omitted to do so, implies a degree of cowardice 
or treachery which can scarcely be credited or believed. 

With the fall of the fortress of Isle Royal, ceased the French dominion 
in St. Lawrence county.* 

It was subsequently occupied by a small guard of British troops, and 
held till surrendered in accordance with the stipulations of Jay's treaty 
in the summer of 1796, to Judge Ford, who received it for the pro- 
prietors. 

The remains of a cemetex'y still exist on the west side of the Oswe- 
gatchie, and several head stones mark the place where British soldiers 
were buried. 

The history of this station, so far as our knowledge extends, from the time 
of the English conquest to the surrender under the treaty, is nearly or 
quite lost. 

Such data as have fallen under our notice, will here be given : 

In the summer of 1776, the following minute was forwarded from 
Oswego, by Lieut. Edward McMichael. (See American Archives, fifth 
series, vol. i, page 815.) 

"Was informed at Oswego, that three regiments of Ministerial troops 
had arrived at Osivegatchie, at which place they were joined by a number 
of Tories and Indians under the command of Colonel Johnson, and were 
to embark immediately on board two armed vessels, bateaux and canoes, 
and proceed to Osivego, at which place they were to be joined by Colonel 
Butler, with all the Indians under his command, and likewise by Colonel 
Caldwell, with hat regulars could be spared from JViagai-a. 

They intended repairing Oswego Fort, as soon as possible, in order 
that they might hold a treaty with the Indians, and be able to defend 
themselves against any attack." 

In April, 1779, Lieutenants McClellan and Hardenburgh, of the Revo- 
lutionary army, were despatched from Fort Schuyler, on an expedition 
at the head of a body of Indians, against the British garrison at Oswe" 
gatchie, intending to steal upon it, and take it by surprise, but falling in 
with some straggling Indians, several shots were imprudently exchanged, 
which alarmed the garrison. They then attempted to draw the enemy 



*Antpine St. Martin, a Frenchman, said to have inhabited the country since its occupation 
by the French, in 1760, died at an extreme age, (supposed to exceed by several years, a century) 
on the 4tli of March 1849, at Ogdeusburgh. In his latter years, he attracted some attention 
from liis being made the personage of a romance, written and publislied at Potsdam, by C . 
Boynton. His longevity appears to have been to him as much a solitude , as it was to otiiers a 
wonder, and he would at times weep, and lameilt, that "God had forgotten him." With^im 
perished the last survivors of the French period of our history, and it is much to be regretted 
that liis narrative and recollections were not preserved. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 101 

from the fort by sti'atagem, and partly succeeded, but could not draw 
them at a sufficient distance to cut off their retreat, and on approachinS' 
the fort themselves, the assailants were so warmly received, that they 
were compelled to retreat without unnecessary delay. The only service 
performed, was to send a Caughnawaga Indian into Canada, with a letter 
in French by a French general, probably the Marquis de Lafayette, and 
addressed to the Canadians, and written the preceding autumn. The 
expedition was despatched from Fort Schuyler, on the day before Colone 
Van Schaick moved upon Onondaga ; and from a letter addressed by Gen. 
Clinton, six weeks afterwards to General Sullivan, there is reason to be- 
lieve, one object was to get clear of the Oneida Indians, then in the fort, 
until Colonel Van Schaick should have proceeded so far upon his expe- 
dition, that they or their people should not be able to give the Onondagas 
notice of his approach. All the Indians still remaining in Fort Schuyler 
on the 18th, were detained expressly for that purpose. Although pro- 
fessedly friendlj', and reliable as scouts, they could not be trusted in ex- 
peditions against their fellows.* 

The expedition, of Lieutenants McClellan, and Hardenbergh returned 
to Fort Schuyler without having effected their purpose, on the 30th of 
April. 

An incident happened in, a military expedition from Fort Schuyler to 
Oswegatchie, during the Revolutionary war, and probably in the onejust 
described, which sliows in an amiable light, the finer feelings of the In- 
dian character, and will serve as an offset for some of the darker phases 
of Indian warfare. The subject of the adventure afterwards for several 
years resided in St. Lawrence county, and often related the incident to 
the one fi-om whose lips the account is wi-itten. 

Belonging to a military party that was proceeding through the forest, 
"was a little boy, about twelve years old, who served as a fifer to the com- 
pany. Light hearted and innocent, he tripped along, sometimes running 
in advance to gather flowers, and at others lingering behind to listen to 
the music of the birds, which made the forest vocal with their songs. 
Seeing the unguarded deportment of the lad, his captain cautioned him 
against wandering from the company, for fear that some hostile Indian 
who might be lurking in the thicket, should take him off The warning 
was heeded for some time, but ere long forgot, and he found himselt 
many rods in advance of the party, culling the wild flowers which were 
scattered iii his path, and inhaling the fragiJance which the morning air 
with its exhilarating freshness inspired him, when he was suddenly 
startled by a rude grasp upon the shoulder, which upon looking around 
he saw was thajt of a sturdy Indian,^ TVka Jjad, been secreted behind a 

* See Sloije's ifjife of Brant. Vol. 1. p 91.. 



102 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

rock, and had darted from his concealment upon the unsuspecting victim, 
who had wandered from his protectors. 

Tie attemi)ted to scream, but fear paralyzed his tongue, and he saw the 
glittering tomahawk brandished over his head, which the next moment 
would terminate with a blow, his existence; but the savage, seeing the 
unarmed and terror stricken child, with no warlike implement but his 
fife, and doubtless touched with the innocence and terror of his trem- 
bling prisoner, relaxed his grasp, took the fife from under his arm, and 
having playfully blowed in its end he returned it to its owner, and 
bounded off into the forest. No further caution was needed, to keep 
him within the ranks, and they the next day reached their destination, 
which was Fort Oswegatchie, 

In after years, when age had made him infirm, in relating this inci- 
dent, he would weep with emotion at this perilous adventure, and always 
ended with the heartfelt acknowledgment, "that God had always pro- 
tected him, and guarded him, from dangers seen and unseen, and fi-om 
childhood to old aj^^e." 

Isaac Weld, jr., published in London, in 1799, in two octavo volumes, 
a journal of travels in the States of North America, and the provinces of 
Upper and Lower Canada, in the years 1795-7, which describes among 
other interesting subjects, the condition and appearance of our frontiei', 
and the fort at the mouth of the Oswegatchie, which we will quote^ 
[Vol. ii, p. 38, et seq.] The voyage was undertaken in the month of Au- 
gust 1796. 

"The Indians not only retain |)ossession of the different islands, but 
likewise of the whole of the south-east shore of the St. Lawrence, situ- 
ated within the bounds of the United States; they likewise have consid- 
erable strips of land on the opposite shore, within the British Dominions, 
bordering upon the river; these they have reserved to themselves, for 
hunting. The Iroquois Indians have a village upon the Isle of St, Regis, 
and another also upon the main land, on the south-east shore ; as we. 
passed, several of the inhabitants put off in canoes, and exchanged un- 
ripe heads of Indian corn with the men for bread ; they also brought 
with them some very fine wild duck and fish, which they disposed of to 
us on very moderate terms. 

On the fourth night of our voyage, we encamped as usual on the main 
land, opposite the Island of St. Regis, and the excellent viands which 
we had procured from the Indians having been cooked, we sat down to 
supper before a large fire, materials for which are never wanting in this 
woody country. The night was uncommonly serene, and we were in- 
duced to remain to a late hour in front of our tent talking of the various 
occurrences in the course of the day; but we had scarcely retired to 
rest when the sky became overcast, a dreadful storm arose, and by day- 
break the next morning we found ourselves, and every thing belonging 
to us, drenched with rain. 

Our situation now was by no means agreeable. Torrents still came 
pouring down ; neither our tent nor the woods afforded us any shelter, 
and, the wind being very strong and as averse as it could blow, there 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 103 

was no prospect of our being enabled speedily to get into better quarters. 
In this state, we had remained for a considerable time, when one of the 
party, who laad been rambling about in order 'to discover what sort of a 
neighborhood we wei-e in, returned with the pleasing intelligence, that 
there was a house at no great distance, and that the owner had politely 
invited us to.it. It was the house of an old provincial officer, who had 
received a grant of land in this pai't of the country for his past services. 
We gladly proceeded to it, and met with a most cordial welcome from 
the captain and his fair daughters, who had provided a plenteous break- 
fiist, and spared no paius to make their' habitation during our stay, as 
pleasing to us as possible. 

We felt great satisfaction at the idea, that it would be in our power to 
spend the remainder of the day with these worthy and hospitable peo- 
ple, but alas! we had all formed an erroneous opinion of the weather, 
the wind veered suddenly about; the sun broke through the thick clouds, 
the conductor gave the parting order, and in a few minutes we found 
ourselves once more seated in our bateau. From hence upwards, for a 
distance of forty miles, the current of the i-iver is exceedingly strong, and 
numberless rapids are to be encountered, which, though not so tremend- 
ous to appearance, as those at the Cascades, and Le Coteau du Lac, are, 
yet both more dangerous and more difficult to pass. The great danger 
consists however, in going down them; it arises from the shallowness of 
the water, and the great number of sharp I'ocks, in the midst of which 
the vessels are hurried along with such impetuosity, that if they unfor- 
tunately get into a wrong channel, nothing can save them from being 
dashed to pieces, but so intimately, are the people employed on this 
river, acquainted with the different channels, that an accident of the 
sort is scarcely ever heard of. " Le Long Saut," the Long Fall, Or 
Rapid, situate about thirty tniles above Lake St. Francis, is the most 
dangerous of any (fae on the river, and so difficult a matter is it to pass 
it, that it requires not less than six men on shore, to haul a single bateau 
against the current. 

There is a third canal, v/ith locks, at this place, in order to avoid a 
point, which it would be wholly impracticable to weather in the ordinary 
way. These different canals, and locks, have been made at the expense 
of government, and the profits arising from the tolls paid by each bateau 
that passes through them, are placed in the public ti-easury. x\t these 
rapids, and at several of the others, there are very extensive flour and 
saw mills. 

On the fifth night, we arrived at a small farm house, at the top of the 
Long Saut, wetfi-om head to foot, in consequence of having been obliged 
to walk past the rapids, through woods and bushes, still drip})ing after 
the heavy rain that had fallen in the morning. The woods in this neigh- 
borhood are far more majestic than on any other part of the St. Law- 
rence; the pines, in particular, are uncommonly tall, and^seem to wave 
their tops in the very clouds. In Canada, pines grow, on the richest 
soils, but in the United States, they grow mostly on poor ground ; a tract 
of land covered with lofty pines, is there generally denominated "a 
pine bari'en," on account of its great poverty. 

During a considerable part of the next day, we also proceeded on foot, 
in order to escape the tedious passage of the liapide Plat, and some of 
the other dangerous rapids in this [)art of the river. As we passed 
along, we had an excellent diversion in shooting pigeons, several large 
flights of Avhich we met with in the woods. The wild pigeons of 
Canada, are not unlike the common English wood pigeon, except that 
they are of a much smaller size ; their flesh is very well flavored. Du- 



104 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

rin^ particular years these birds come down from the northern regions 
in flights tliat is marvelous to tell. A gentleman of the town of Niagara 
assured me, that once as he was embarking there on board a ship for 
Toronto, a flight of them was observed coming from that quarter, that 
as he sailed over Lake Ontario to Toronto, fort}'-five miles distant from 
Niagara, pigeons were seen flying over head the whole way, in a con- 
trary direction to that from which the ship was proceeding; and that on 
arriving at the place of his destination, the birds were still observed com- 
ing down from the north, in as large bodies as had been noticed at any one 
time during the whole voyage ; supposing therefore that the pigeons 
moved no faster than the vessel, the flight according to this gentleman's 
account, must at least have extended eighty miles. 

Many persons may think this story surpassing belief; for my own part, 
however, I do not hesitate to give credit to it, knowing, as I do, the 
respectability of the gentleman who related it, and the accuracy of his 
observation. When these birds appear in such great numbers, they 
often light on the borders of rivers and lakes, and in the neighborhood 
of farm houses, at which time they are so unwary, that a man with a 
short stick might easily knock them down by hundreds. 

It is not oftener than once in seven or eight years, perhaps, that such 
large flocks of these birds are seen in the country. The years in which 
they appear, are denominated " pigeon years." 

There are also " bear years," and " squirrel years." This was both a 
bear and a squirrel year. The former, like the pigeons, come down from 
the northern regions, and were most numerous in the neighborhoods of 
lakes Erie and Ontario, and along the upper part of the river St. Law- 
rence. On arriving at the borders of these lakes, or of the river, if the. 
opposite shore were in sight, they generally took to the water, and endea- 
vored to i-each it by swimming. Prodigious numbers of them are killed 
in crossing the St. Lawi-ence, by the Indians, who had hunting encamp- 
ments at short distances from each other, the whole way along the bank 
of the river, from the island of St. Regis to lake Ontario. One bear of 
very large size, boldly entered the river, in the face of our bateau, and 
was killed by one of our men, while swimming from the main land to 
one of the islands. * * * 

The squirrels this yeai-, contrary to the bears, migrated froffi the south, 
from the territory of the United States. Like the bears, they took to the 
water, on arriving at it, but, as if conscious of their inability to cross a 
very wide piece of water, they bent their course towards Niagara river, 
above the falls, and at its narrowest and most tranquil part, crossed over 
into the British territory. It was calculated that upwards of fifty thous- 
and of them crossed the river in the course of two or three days, and 
such great depredations did they commit, on arriving at the settlements 
on the opposite side, that in one part of the country, the farmers deemed 
themselves very fortunate where they got in as much as one-third of their 
crops of corn. These squirrels were all of the black kind, said to be pe- 
culiar to the continent of America. 

* * * On the sixth evening of our voyage, we stopped nearly 
opposite to Point aux Iroquois, so named from a French family having 
been cruelly massacred there, by the Iroquois Indians, in the early ages 
of the colony. The ground being still extremely wet here, in conse- 
quence of the heavy rain of the preceding day, we did not much relish 
the thoughts of passing the night in our tent; yet there seemed lo be 
no alternative, as the only house in sight was crowded with people, and 
not capable of affording us any accommodation. Luckily however, as 
we were searching about for the driest spot to pitch our tent upon, one 



AND PRANKLIN COUNTIES. 105 

of the pat-ty espied a barn, at a little distance, belonging to the man of the 
adjoinmg house, of whom we procured the key; it' was well stored with 
straw, and having mounted to the top of the mow, we laid ourselves 
down to rest, and slept soundly there, till awakened in the mornino-, by 
the crowing of some cocks, that were perched on the beams over our 
heads. 

At an early hour we pursued our voyage, and before noon passed the 
last rapid, about three miles below the mouth of the Oswegatchie River 

u- ?"^^n considerable of these within the limit of the United States,' 
which fall into the St. Lawrence, it consists of three branches, that unite 
about fifteen miles above its mouth ; the most western of which issues 
from a lake, twenty miles in length, and eight in breadth. 

Another of the branches, issues from a small lake, or pond, only about 
four miles distant from the west branch of Hudson River, that flows past 
New York. Both the Hudson and the Oswegatchie, are said to be 
capable of being made navigable for light bateaux, as far as this spot, 
where they approach within so short a distance of each other, except 
only at a few places, so that the portages will be but very trifling. This 
however is a mere conjecture, for Oswegatchee River is but very im- 
perfectly known, the country it passes through being quite uninhabited; 
but should It be found at a future period, that these rivers are indeed 
capable of being rendered navigable, so far up the countrv, it will pro- 
bably be thi-ough this channel that the greatest of the trade that there 
may happen to be between New York and the countrv borderin"- upon 
Lake Ontario, will be carried on." 

The small lake referred to by the author, was doubtless Raquette lake, 
in Hamilton county, which is even nearer the head waters of the Hud- 
eon, than above stated, but it lies at the source of the Raquette river, 
instead of the Oswegatchie. 

"The trade is at present carried on between that city and the lake, 
by means of Hudson River, as far as Albany, and from thence by means 
of the Mohawks' River, Wood Creek, lake Oneida, and Oswego River, 
which falls into Lake Ontario. The harbor at the mouth of Oswego 
river, is very bad, on account of the sand banks, none but flat bottomed 
vessels can approach with safety nearer to it than two miles, nor is there 
any good harbor on the south side of lake Onatrio, in the neighborhood 
of any large rivers. Sharp built vessels, however, of a considerable size, 
cau approach with safety to the mouth of Oswegatcliee River. The 
Seneca, a British vessel of waj-, of twenty-six guns, used to ply constantly, 
formerly between Fort de la Galette, situated at the mouth of that river' 
and the fort at Niagara; and the British flir ships, on the lakes, used also 
at that time to discharge the cargoes there, brought down from the 
upper country. 

As therefore the harbor at the mouth of Oswegatchee, is so much 
better than that at the mouth of the Oswego river, and as they are nearly 
an equal distance from New York, there is reason to suppose that if the 
river navigation should prove equally good, the trade between the lakes 
and New York, will be for the most part, if not wholly carried on by 
means of Oswegatchee River, rather than of Oswego River. With 
a fair wind the passage from Oswegatchee River to Niagara, is accom- 
plished in two days, a voyage only oiie day longer than from Oswego to 
Niagara, with a fair wind. 

Fort de la Galette was erected by the French, and though not built till 
long after fort Frontenac, now Kingston, yet they esteemed it by far the 



106 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

most important military post on the St. Lawrence, in tlie upper comitr-y, 
as it was impossible for any boat, or vessel, to pass up or down tiiat river 
without being- observed, whereas they mij^ht easily escape unseen behind 
the many islands, opposite to Kingston. Since the close ofthe American 
war. Fort de la Galette has been dismantled, as it was within the 
territories of the United States, nor would any advantatre have arisen 
from its retention, for it was never of any importance to us but as a trading 
post, and as such, Kingston, whicii is in our own territory, is tar more 
elligibly situated, in every point of view, it has a more safe and commodi- 
ous harbor, tiie fur sliips coming down from Niagara, by stopping there, 
are saved a voyage of sixty miles up and down the St. Lawrence, which 
was often found to be more tedious than the voyage from Niagara to 
Kingston, In the neighborhood of La Galette, on the Oswegatchee River, 
there is a village ofthe Oswegatchee Indians, whose nnml)ers are estimat- 
ed at one hundred warriors. 

The current ofthe St. Lawrence, from Oswegatchee upwards, is much 
more gentle than in any other part between Montreal and Lake Ontario, 
except only where the river is considerably dilated, as at lakes St. Louis 
and St. Francois; however, notwithstanding its being ^o gentle, we did 
not advance more than twenty-five miles in the course ofthe day, owing 
to the numerous stops that we made, more from motives of pleasure 
than necessity. The evening was uncommonly fine, and towards sunset 
a brisk gale spi-inging up, the conductor judged it advisable to take 
advantage of it, and to continue the voyage all night, in order to make up 
for the time we had lost during the day. We accordingly proceeded, 
but towards midnight the wind died away; this circumstance, however, 
did not alter the determination ofthe conductor. The men were ordered 
to the oars, and notwithstanding that they had labored hard during the 
preceding day, and had had no rest, yet they were kept closely at work 
until day break, exceipt for one hour, during which they were allowed to 
stop to cook their provisions. Where there is a gentle current, as in this 
part of the river, the Canadians will work at the oar for many hours 
without intermission ; they seemed to think it no hardship to be kept 
employed in this instance the whole night; on the contrary, they plied 
as vigorously as if they had but just set out, singing merrily the whole 
time. The French Canadians have in general a good ear for music, and 
sing duets with tolerable accuracy. They have one very favorite duet 
amongst them, called the " rowing duet," which, as they sing, they mark 
time to, with each stroke of the oar; indeed, when rowing in smooth 
water, they mark time the most of the airs they sing in the same 
manner. 

About eight o'clock the next, and eighth morning of our voyage, we 
entered the last lake before yon come to that of Ontario, called the Lake 
of a Thousand Islands, on account of the multiplicity of them which it 
contains. Many of these islands are scarcely larger than a bateau, and 
none of them, except such as are situated at the upper and lower extre- 
mities of the lake, ap|)eared to me to contain more than fifteen English 
acres each. They are all covered with wood, even to the very smallest 
The trees on these last are stunted in their growth, but the larger islands, 
produce as fine timber as is to be found on the main shores of the lake. 
Many of these islands are situated so closely together, that it would be 
easy to throw a pebble from one to the other, notwithstanding whicli 
circumstance, the passage l^etween them is perfectly safe and commo- 
dious for bateaux, and between some of them that arc even thus close 
to each other, is water sufficient for a frigate. The water is uncommonly 
clear, as it is in every part of the river, from Lake St. Franf^is upwards: 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 107 

between that lake and the Utawas river downwards, it is discolored, as I 
have before observed, by j)assing over beds of niai]. The shores of all 
these islands under our notice are rocky; most of them rise very boldly, 
and some exhibit perpendicular masses of rock towards the water, 
upwai-ds of twenty teet high. The scenery jjresented to view in sailing 
between these islands is beautiful in the highest degree. Sometimes^ 
alter passing through a narrow strait, you find yourself in a basin, land 
locked on evei-y side, that appears to have no conimunication with the 
lake, except by the passage through which you entered ; you are looking 
about, perhaps, for an outlet to enable you to proceed, thinking at last to 
see some little channel which will just admit your bateau, when on a sud- 
den a)i expanded sheet of water opens upon you, whose boundary is the , 
horizon alone ; again in a fiew minutes you find yourself land "locked, 
and again a spacious passage as suddenly presents itself; at other times, 
when in the middle of one of these basins, between a cluster of islands, 
a dozen diflTerent channels, like so many noble rivers, meet the eye, 
perhaps equally unexpectedly, and on each side the islands appear regu- 
larly retiring till they sink from the sight in the distance. Every minute, 
during the passage of this lake, the prospect varies. The numerous 
Indian hunting encampments on the difi^jrent islands, with the smoke of 
their fires rising up between the trees, added considerably to the beauty 
of the scenery as we passed it. The Lake of a Thousand Islands is 
twenty-five miles in length, and about six in breadth. From its upper 
end to Kingston, at which place we arrived early in the evening, the 
distance is fifteen miles. 

The lengrh of time required to ascend the River St, Lawrence, from 
Montreal to Kingston, is commonly found to be about seven days. If 
the wind should be strong and very favorable, the passage may be per- 
formed in a less time; but should it, on the contrary, be adverse, and 
blow very strong, the passage will be protracted somewhat longer; an 
adverse or favorable wind, however, seldom makes a difference of more 
than three days in the length of the passage upwards, as in each case it 
is necessary to work the bateaux along by means of poles for the greater 
part of the way. The passage downwards is performed in two or three 
days, according to the wind. The current is so strong, that a contrary 
wind seldom lengthens the passage in that direction more than a day." 

The English are believed to have maintained the fort at Oswe- 
gatchie, as a protection to their fur trade; and this was made the cover 
of a pretension, to justify their retaining it after the peace which fol- 
lowed the revolution. The Oswegatchies, continued to reside in the 
vicinity after the English conquest, adopted the new allegiance, and as 
usual became corrupted in morals by their vicinity to the garrison. 
They are believed to have acted with the British in the war of the Revo- 
lution. 

In the enumei'ation of Indian tribes made by Sir Wm. Johnson, in 
1763,* the tribe is represented as numbering eighty warriors, at peace 
with the English. In the same enumeration, the Caughnawagas are 
reported at three hundred men, emigrants from the Mohawks, and with 
a colony at Aghquissasne, (St. Regis,) which was the seat of a snission. 
The latter had been founded but three years previously. 

*D->fumeniary HUi^ry of l\e-sv York, vol i, page 97. 



108 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

A portion of the Mohawk emigration had settled at the mission of the 
Lake of Two Mountains. 

The English vt'ere caieful not to molest them in their religious observ- 
ances, which remain to this day, the same as when first established 
among them. 

The Oswegatchies, at the time when the present class of settlers came 
on, were occupying a village of twenty-three houses, on Indian Point, in 
Lisbon, about three miles below Ogdensburgh. Spafford, in his Ga- 
zetteer, published in 3813, thus tnentions them. " This village was built 
by the British government, after the Revolution, and when, of course, 
that government had no title to the land. The Indians remained here 
several years after the setdemeht of the coimtry by the present pi-oprie- 
tors, and were removed by order of the government of New York, on 
the complaint of the inhabitants. These Indians driven from New 
Johnstown, in Upper Canada, received this spot with improvements, in 
exchange from which dHven by our government, they became destitute 
of a local habitation and a name, and the Oswegatchie tribe no longer 
exists, although a few individuals i-emain, scattered among the surround- 
ing tribes." 

This dispersion took place about 1806, or 7, and the remnants of the 
tribe, or their descendants, are found at St. Regis, Onondaga, and else- 
where. 

While in Lisbon, they were under the diiection of one Joseph Reoam, 
a Frenchman, who spoke their dialect of the Iroquois language, and is 
said to have been a chief, and to have married an Indian woman. They 
planted corn on Galloo island, and elsewhere in the vicinity. 

Their village is described by one who saw it in 1802, as consisting 
of a street, running parallel with the river, with the houses ranged in a 
regular manner on each side of itj all uniformly built, with their ends to 
the street, sharp roofed, shingled with pointed shingles, and with glass 
windows. Every house was built for two families, had two doors in 
front, and a double fire place, and single chimney in the centre, with a 
partition equally dividing the interior. In 1802 there wei-e about 24 
families. 

These Indians were accustomed to spend most of their summers on 
Black lake, in hunting and fishing, returning to their cabins for the win- 
ter. They used bark canoes, which they carried around rapids, and 
across portages, with perfect ease. 

As many as forty Indians at a time were ofteji seen in the settlement 
when new. 

Directly opposite to the site of the Indian village of the Oswegatchies, 
is the island that was fortified by the French, and taken by the English 
under Lord Amherst in 1760. The ruins of the fortress upon it, are 
still to be seen, although mostly obliterated, and have given it the name 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 109 

of Chimney island. This island is low, and in shape irregular. It is 
on the American side of the channel, and has an area of six acres. 
There are said to be still seen on an island, opposite this, under the 
Canada shore, the traces of works erected by the Englisli, to assist in 
its reduction. 

A great number of iron and other metalic relics, have been found on 
this island, and the adjoining shores, as tomahawks, hoes, axes, picks, 
the hangings of gates and other relics of the French and Indian occupa- 
tion of the place. These, like those found on the sites of the French 
establishments at Onondaga, and elsewhere, are rude and very coarse ; 
scarcely appearing to be capable of being used for the purposes for 
which they were intended. 

This island is three miles below the village 'of Ogdensburgh. 

Like many other places having associations connected with the olden 
time. Chimney island has been the scene of money digging, on a some- 
what extensive scale, by those who were weak enough to be led astray 
by the pretended indications of the divining rod, or the impositions of 
fortune tellei's. As uniformly happens, there has been money lost in- 
stead of gained in these operations, and if stories are to be believed, 
certain of these adventurers have lost somewhat of credit and standing 
in community, by these speculations.* 

* See Appendix, note B of this work. 



110 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



CHAPTER II. 



ST. REGIS. 

N a beautiful and elevated point whicli juts into the St. Law- 
' reiice, where that river is crossed by the forty-fifth parallel of 
^^^^^0 latitude, and between the mouths of the St. Regis and Racquette 
rivers, stands a dilapidated and antique looking village, whose mas- 

||asive and venerable church, with tin covered spire; whose narrow 
«i)^ and filthy sti-eets, and the general appearance of indolence and 
poverty of its inhabitants, and especially the accents of an unaccustomed 
language, almost convey to the casual visitor an impression that he is iu 
a foreign land. 

Such is the Indian village of St, Regis, whose origin and history we 
are about to relate. Its founders in selecting this site, evinced the pos- 
session of a taste at once judicious and correct, for it may well be ques- 
tioned whether the shores of the St. Lawrence, abounding as they do in 
charming and lovely localities, affords anywhere a spot that will surpass 
this in beaiuy of scenery, or pleasantness of location. The village stands 
on a plain, moderately elevated above the rivei", which having for more 
than forty miles been broken by cascades and dangerous rapids, here 
becomes tranquil. 

To the west, the ground swells into a gentle hill, which overlooks the 
village and river to a great distance ; beyond which it again descends 
into a spacious plain, which for time immemorial has been the favorite 
ground for ball-playing, a pastime to which the natives are strongly 
attached, and in which they engage with much zeal. 

The surrounding fields, are an open common, without separate enclos- 
ures, and are used as a public pasture by the inhabitants. Around the 
cabins of the villagers are usually small encl(>sures, devoted to the culti- 
vation of corn, and culinary vegetables, which by the right of occupancy 
have come to be considered the private property of individuals, and as 
such are bought and sold among the natives, although the law recognizes 
no such private ownership, and holds them all as tenants in common, 
denying them the right of buying or selling land, except to the govern- 
mei t. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. Ill 

Opposite to the village, lay several very fertile and beautiful islands^ 
which are owned and cultivated by the villagers, and upon which is 
raised the grain upon which the}^ subsist, and the grass which serves for 
their cattle during the winter months. The public points in the village^ 
and the summits of the hill are crowned by the cross, which indicates 
the religious faith of the greater part of the inhabitants, and reminds us 
that the colony owes its origin to a religions movement. Such is St, 
Regis, as it appears to the stranger; a village which under Anglo- 
Saxon enterprise, would ere this have attained a preeminence equal to 
any place on the river, but which now exhibits nothing but an air of 
decay and litstlessness, peculiar of She Indian character, when it assumes 
the habits of civilization. 

To one who traverses the streets, and observes the genei'al aspect of 
its inhabitants, a leading trait will be noticed as their conti-olling 
principle, and he will recognize Indolei?ce in every feature, and in every 
action. 

With this preliminary, we will proceed with om- account of the origin 
of this village, which was formed by an emigration from the mission 
at Caughnawaga, or the Saut Saint Louis, about nine miles above 
Montreal. The latter at a I'emote period of American history, in its 
turn, was formed by a portion of the Mohawk tribe of Indians, who 
were induced by the French to emigrate to their vicinity and embrace 
the Catholic faith. 

We will reserve for the appendix,* stieh notices as we may find, con- 
nected with this people, previous to the founding of St. Regis, and com- 
mence our account with a traditionary narrative «pon which is based the 
causes that led to the measure. 

About a hundred and thirty years ago, three children, (a girl about 
twelve or thirteen years of age, and two younger brotliers,) were playing 
together in a barn, in the town of Groton, Massachusetts, and being 
absent f^om the house longer than was expected, their mother became 
solicitous about them, and went to find themi, The girl was lying on 
the floor, with a limb broken, and the boys were missing. 

She related that seeing some Indians coming, she fled to the upper 
part of the barn, and fell by accident from the beams above, and that 
they had seized the two boys, and carried them awaj'. The stealthy 
manner of this seizure, and, the time that had elapsed, forbade pursuit,, 
with any hope of success, and the distracted parents were left to mourn 
the loss Avithout consolation or hope. The probable motive for the 
seizure of these children, was the expectation (that a bounty would be- 

* See Appendix Note C of this work. 



112 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

offered for their ransom ; or perhaps they might be exchanged for French 
prisoners. 

As afterwards appeared, these boys were taken by Caughnawaga In- 
dians to their village near Montreal, where they were adopted as their 
own children, growing up in habits, manners, and language, as Indians, 
and in due time they married the daughters of chiefs of that tribe. The 
names of these chiefs were Sa-kon-en-tsi-ask and Ata-weu-ta. 

But they possessed the superiority of intellect, and enterpi-ise, which 
belonged to their race, and this led to a series of petty quarrels, growing 
out of the jealousy of the young Indians of their age, which disquieted 
the village, and by the party spirit which it engendered, became a source 
of irritation and trouble in the settlement, and of anxiety on the part of 
their missionary, who labored in vain to i-econcile the difficulties between 
them. 

Failing in this, he advised the two young men, (one of whom they had 
named Ka-re-ko-wa) to remove with their families to a place by them- 
selves, where they might enjoy tranquility, and be beyond the reach of 
annoyance from their comrades. 

This advice they adopted ; and taking with them their wives, and fol- 
lowed by their wives' parents, these four families departed in a bark 
canoe, with their effects, to seek in a new country, and in the secluded 
recesses of the forest, a home. 

They coasted along up the St. Lawrence, and at length arrived at the 
delightful point on which the village of St. Regis now stands, where 
they landed and took possession. 

The name of these youths, was Tarbell, and their descendants have 
always resided at St. Regis, and some of them have been distinguished 
as chiefs and head men of the tribe. One of these named Lesor Tar- 
bell, and a son of his name,, was a prominent chief, about fifty years 
since, and very much esteemed by the whites, for his prudence, candor, 
and great worth of charactei-. 

The name of Tarbell, is said to be very common in Groton, to this day. 

Another traditional version of the account, differs in some particulars 
from that just related, and is as follows : 

Three lads, and an elder sister, were playing together in a field, when 
they were surprised by a small party of Indians. One of the boys es- 
caped, but the rest were seized, and marched that day about fourteen 
miles into the woods towards Canada, when it coming on dark, they 
came to a halt, and camped for the night. Thinking their prisoners se- 
cure, the Indians were less watchful than usual, and finally all fell asleep. 

The gii'l, about twelve years old, kept awake, and seeing the rest 
asleep, her first thought was to awaken her brothers, and attempt to es- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 113- 

cape, but fearing to disturb the Indians, should she attempt this, and 
thus prevent any possibility of escape, she crept carefully out from among 
them, and struck off in the direction of her home, which she at length 
reached after undergoing great hardship. 

One of the lads on growing up went off to the north west, the other 
married, and subsequently with his wife, and one or two other families, 
moved off, and made the first settlement at St. Regis. 

From the abundance of partridges which the thicket afforded, they 
called it, Ak-wis-sas-ne " where the partridge drums," and this name 
it still retains.* 

These families were living very peaceably together, and had made 
small clearings for cornfields, when they were joined by Father Anthony 
Gordon, a Jesuit fi'om Caughnawaga, with a colony of these Indians in 
1760. 

The year of this settlement is known by the fact that they were met 
near Coteau du Lac, by Lord Amherst, who was decending the St. Law- 
rence, to complete the conquest of Canada. Gordon named the place 
St, Regis. 

With the belief that a biographical sketch of this saint, would be ac- 
ceptable to our readers, in connection with this account, we will take the 
liberty of inserting it as it is given by a catholic author. * 

"Jean Francois Regis, of the society of Jesus, was born Jan. 31, 
1597, at Foncouverte, a village in the diocess of Narbonne in Lauguedoc, 
France, and was a descendant of an ancient and noble family. At an 
early age he became strongly impressed with religious pentiments, and 
while a youth, was one of the first to enter the Jesuit School at Beziers, 
where he led a very exemplary life. At the completion of his earlier 
studies, he undertook the charge of instructing menial servants in Tour- 
non. In 1631, his studies being finished, he visited Foncouverte to 

* Another and equally consistem explanation of the adoption of this name, is given : 

In the ■winter time, the ice ftom the rapids above, coming- down under the firm ice at this 
place, often occasions a sort of tremor or earthquake in miniature, and is attended with a noise 
very much like the drumming- of a partridge. A particular account of the singular phenomena 
of the ice in the rapids, -will be given in our account of the town of Massena. 

On the occasion of the author's visit to St, Regis in June 18.52, the natives desired to give 
him a name, and proposed among others, that of their village. Objections being made, they 
decided upon, O-kwa-e-sen, a partridge, they regarding- that bird somewhat as a national 
emblem, like the eagle to the United States. The idea was doubtless suggested by the par- 
ticular inquiries made about the origin of their village. The custom of naming those who 
have business -with them in common, and in former times when the drinking of rum was 
more prevalent, the ceremony of christening and adoption -was conducted -with excessive de, 
monstration of joy. At present it consists in singing and shouting around the candidate, and 
the shaking of hands. At times a rude dance is performed, but this people have lost every 
recollection ef the national feasts and dances, which are still maintained among the pagan 
party of the Iroquois at Onondaga and other Indian settlements, in the interior of the state. 

They informed the author that they should consider him as belonging to the Ro-tis en-na. 
keh.te, or Little Turtle band, thit being the smallest and feeblest one among them. 



114 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

settle some family afFairs, atifl there attracted much notice from the zeal 
>vith which he preached to the people, and solicited alms for the poor. 
He 8[)ent several years in missionary lahors in France, always conspicu- 
ous tor his zealous labors among tlie poor, over whom he acquired great 
ascendency. This excited such persecution from the higher classes, 
that he solicited an appointment as a missionary to the Hurons, and 
Irotjuois of Canada, but finally remained at home, much to his own 
disappointment. He continued his labors among the lower classes till 
his death, Dec. 31, 1640, at the age of 43 j^ears, of which 26 were spent 
as a Jesuit. This tomb at La Louvase, in Languedoc, is regarded by the 
catholic population of France, as a shrine, and miracles are believed by 
them to liave been performed at it. He was cannonised by pope Clement 
Xn, in 1737, at the joint request of Kings Louis XV of France, and 
Philip V, of Spain, and of the clergy of France, assembled at Paris, in 
1735. His festival accurs on the 16th of June. [See Butler's lAves of the 
Sciints, ]8»io edition, vol. vi, p. 261, 287.] 

A painting of St. Regis, exists in the church at the mission of that 
name. It was presented by Charles X, as hereafter stated. 

It is not known how long the four families had been residing at this 
place, when they were joined by the others, nor the nuntbers of the latter, 
further than the vague tradition that "there were many canoe loads." 
Probably they numbered several hundred souls. 

The cause assigned for this emigration, was a desire to get the natives 
away from the corrupting influences of rum, and the train of vices to 
which they were particularly exposed from their proximity to Montreal. 
It was hoped that by this means being withdrawn from the temptations 
to which they were constantly liable, that a benefit would be derived. 

In our account of Picquet's mission, we have seen that the missionaries 
at the Indian establishments felt and deplored the contaminating influence 
of the Europeans, and that the mission of St. Louis, was for this cause 
obliged to be moved some distance up the river, to get the natives out of 
the way of the moral miasm of Montreal, and the further emigration 
to St. Regis, may without doubt be attributed to the same cause. 

In these acts, these ecclesiastics evinced a commendable regard for 
the moral welfare of their flocks, which challenges our admiration. In 
order that the end desired might not be defeated, it was considered 
essential that the new colony should be made up of a native population 
entirely; that no military post should form a part of them, and that 
traffic especially in spirituous liquors should be entirely interdicted. 

Among the first duties of Gordon was the erection of a chin-ch, which 
was built of logs and covered with barks. 

This humble and primative temple of worship, was made to serve the 
double purpose of a church and a dwelling, and one end of the hut was 
partitioned off* for the residence of their priest. 

There being no bell, when the hour of worship arrived, an Indian went 
.through the village from hut to hut, and annoimced with a loud voice 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 115 

the hour that they might assemble for prayer. This practice reminds 
one of the Mahomedan custom, of proclaiming the hour of prayer from 
the Minarets of mosques. 

In about two years this church was burned, and with it the fii'St two 
years of the parish records. 

The first record extant, bears date Feb. 9, 1762, when Margarita Theretia 
an Abenika woman, married, and of unknown parentage, was baptized. 

Since that date, the parish records are very perfect, they have been 
kept in the Latin and French languages. 

Soon afterwards a small wooden church was erected on the ground 
now occupied by the priest's garden, which was furnished with a small 
cupola, and contained a bell. 

It has been generally believed that this bell was the same as that taken 
in 1704, from Deerfield, in Massachusetts, but after careful inquiries, 
the author has artived at the conclusion that that celebrated bell never 
was at St. Regis, but that it is none other than the smaller of the two 
that hangs in the steeple of the charch of St. Louis, in Caughnawaga. 

About fifteen years since, a bell belonging to the church of St. Regis, 
was broken up at Ogdensburgh, for i-ecasting, and the Indians were 
very jealous lest some part should be abstracted, and are said to have 
appointed some of their number to watch the operation, and see that 
every part was remelted. This metal now forms a part of the larger 
bell in the church at St. Regis. 

That the Deerfield bell could not have been taken directly to St. Regis, 
is evident, from the fact that fifty-six years elapsed between its cajjture 
and the founding of St. Regis. 

The latter place was first begun by emigrants, in 1760, from Caugh- 
nawaga, the larger portion of the tribe renaaining behind. It can scarcely 
be believed, that those that remained would allow themselves to be 
deprived of the only bell their church possessed, especially as the mission 
at the Saut St. Louis has been continued without interruption. 

While on a visit to Caughnawaga, in October, 1852, the author found 
in the village a direct and consistent tradition of the bell, which is still 
used in their church, and among the records in the hands of the priest, 
a manuscript in the French language, of which we shall give a transla- 
tion. .The bell is a small one, and once possessed an inscription, which 
has been effaced. 

The legend purports to have been found some fifteen years since, in 
an old English publication, and is regarded by the priest of the mission 
(Rev. Joseph Marcoux), who has for many years resided there, as in the 
main points reliable. If this view of the subject be correct, the legend 
loses none of its interest, exce})t being transferred from the church of 
8 



116 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

St, Regis to the church of the Saut St. Louis. This village is on the 
south side of the St. Lawrence, oppo&ite the village of Lachine, at the 
head of the Saut St. Louis, and nine miles above Montreal. 

Legend of the Bell of Saut St. Louis ( Caughnawaga), near Montreal. 

" Father Nicolas having assembled a considerable number of Indians 
who had been converted to the catholic faith, had established them in 
the village which now bears the name of the Saut St. Louis, upon tlie 
River St. Lawrence. The situation of this village is one of the most 
magnificent which the banks of that noble river presents, and is among 
the most picturesque which the country contains. 

The church stands upon a point of land which juts into the river, and 
its bell sends its echoes over the waters with a clearness which forms a 
striking contrast with the iron bells which were formerly so common in 
Canada, while the tin covered spire of the church, glittering in the sun- 
light, with the dense and gloomy forests which surround it, give a cha- 
racter of romance to this little church, and the legend of its celebrated 
bell.* 

Father Nicolas having, with the aid of the Indians, erected a church 
and a belfry; in one of his sermons explained to his humble auditors, 
that a bell was as necessary to a belfry, as a priest to a church, and ex- 
horted them to lay aside a portion of the furs that they collected in 
hunting, until enough was accumulated to purchase a bell, which could 
only be procured by sending to France. The Indians exhibited an 
inconceivable ardor in performing this religious duty, and the packet of 
furs was promptly made out, and forwarded to Havre, where an eccle- 
siastical personage was delegated to make the purchase. The bell was 
accordingly ordered, and in due time forwarded on board the Grande 
Monarque, which was on the point of sailing for Quebec. 

It so happened that after her departure, one of the wars which the 
French and the English then so often waged sprung up, and in conse- 
quence the Grande Monarque never attained her destined port, but was 
taken by a New England privateer, brought into the port of Salem, 
where she was condemned as a lawful prize, and sold for the benefit of 
her captors. 

The bell was purchased by the village of Deerfield, upon the Connec- 
ticut river, for a church then about being erected by the congregation of 
the celebrated Rev. John Williams. 

When Father Nicolas received news of the misfortune, he assembled 

* The old church of Caughnawaga, was in 1845 replaced by the present large and substan- 
tial stone edifice, erected with funds given the Indians for tliat purpose in consideration of lands 
which the government had appropriated to itself, as having belonged to the Jesuits, but fcr 
which they awarded the value, on its being proved that this mission had never belonged to 
that order. In 1830, a large bell was presented by the English government to the church, and 
hangs by the side of the time honored and venerable relic which forms the subject of the 
legend.%.The latler originally bore an inscription in the Latin language, but this has been 
effaced by the chisel, probably by hs New England owners, to prevent any identification by 
those for whom it was originally intended. Adjoining the church, stands the priest's house, 
which still presents the same appearance as when Charlevoix the traveler abode in it. The 
room is still pointed out in which he lived, and the desk on which hfe wrote a portion of that 
history which has made liis name celebrated as a historian. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 117 

his Indians, related to them the miserable condition of the bell, retained 
in purgatory in the- hands of heretics, and concluded by saying, that it 
would be a most praise worthy enterprise to go and recover it. 

This appeal had in it as it were a kind of inspiration, and fell upon 
its hearers with all the force of the eloquence of Peter the Hermit, in 
preaching the crusades. 

The Indians deplored together the misfortune of their bell, which had 
not hitherto i-eceived the rite of baptism: they had not the slightest idea 
of a bell, but it was enough for them, that Father Nicolas, who preached 
and said mass for them, in their church, said that it had some indispens- 
able use in the services of the church. 

Their eagerness for the chase was in a moment suspended, and they 
assembled together in groups, and' seated on the banks of the river, 
conversed on the unhappy captivity of their bell, and each brought for- 
ward his plan which he deemed most likely to succeed in effecting its 
recovery. 

Some of their number, who had heard a bell, said that it could be 
heard beyond the muruiur of the rapid, and tliat its voice was more 
harmonious than that of the sweetest songster of the grove, heard in the 
quiet stillness of evening, when all nature was hushed in repose. 

All were melancholy, and inspired with a holy enthusiasm; many 
fasted, and others performed severe penances to obtain the deliverance 
of the bell, or the palliation of its sufferings. 

At length the day of its deliverance approached. The Marquis de 
Vaudreuil, Governor of Canada, resolved to send an expedition against 
the British colonies of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The com- 
mand of this expedition was given to Major Hertel de Rouviile, and one 
of the priests of the Jesuit college, at Quebec, was sent to procure the 
services of Father Nicolas to accompany the expedition. 

The Indians were immediately assembled in the church; the messen- 
ger was presenied to the congregation, and Father Nicolas in a solemn 
discourse pointed to him as worthy of their veneration, from his being 
the bearer of glad tidings, who was about departing for his return to 
Quebec, to join the war. At the end of the discourse, the whole audi- 
ence raised with one voice the cry of war, and demanded to be led to 
the place where their bell was detained by the heretics. 

The savages immediately began to paint themselves in the most hide- 
ous colors, and w^ere animated with a wild enthusiasm to join the expe- 
dition. 

It was in the depth of winter when they departed to join the army of 
M. de Rouviile, at Fort Chambly. Father Nicolas mai-ched at their 
head, with a large banner, surmounted by a cross, and as they depai'ted 
from their village, their wives and little ones, in imitation of women of 
the crusades, who animated the wai-riors of Godfrey of Bouillon, they 
sang a sacred hymn which their venerated priest had selected for the 
occasion. 

They ai'rived at Chambly after a march of great hardship, at the 
moment that the French soldiers were preparing to start on their march 
up Lake Champlain. 

The Indians followed in their rear, with that ])erseverance peculiar to 
their character. In this order the Indians remained, following in silence, 
until they reached Lake Champlain, where all the army had been 
ordei-ed to rendezvous. This lake was then frozen and less covered by 
snow than the shores, and was taken as a more convenient route for 
the army. With their thoughts wrapped up in the single contemplation 
of the unhappy captivity of their bell, the Indians remained taciturn 



118 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

during this pensive march, exhibiting uo symptoms of fatigue or of fear; 
no regret for their families or homes, and they regarded with equal indif- 
ference on the one hand tlie interminable line of ibrest, sometimes black 
iron) dense evergreens, and in others white from loads of snow; and on 
the other, the bleak lines of rocks and deserts of snow and ice, which 
bordered tlieir ]nilli. The Frunch soldiers, who suffered dreadfully from 
fatigue and cold regarded with admiration the agility and cheerfulness 
with which the Indians seemed to glide over the yielding surface of the 
snow on their snow shoes. 

The quiet endurance of the proselytes of Father Nicolas formed a 
striking contrast with the irritability and impatience of the French sol- 
diers. 

When they arrived at the point wl^ere now stands the city of Burling- 
ton, the order was given for a general halt, to make more efficient 
arrangements for penetrating through the forests to Massachusetts. In 
leaving this point, de Rouville gave to Father Nicolas the command of 
his Indian warriors, and took the lead of his own himself, with compass 
in hand, to make the most direct course for Deerfield. Nothing which 
the troops had thus far suffered could compare with what they now 
endured on this march through a wild country, in the midst of deep 
snow, and with no supplies beyond what they could carry. 

The French soldiers became imjjatient, and wasted their breath in 
curses and complaints at the hardshi[)s they suffered, but the Indians 
animated by a zeal which sustained them above the sense of hardships, 
remained steadfast in the midst of iatigue, which increased with the 
scvei-ity of their sufferings. 

Their custom of travelling in the forest had qualified them for these 
hardships which elicited the curses and execrations of their not less 
brave, but more irritable companions. 

Some time before the expedition arrived at its destination, the ]Miest 
Nicolas, fell sick from over exertion. His feet were woi n by the labor 
of traveling, and his face torn by the branches which he neglected to 
watch in his eagerncj^s t j follow the troops. 

He felt that he waa engaged in a !ioly expedition, and recalling to 
mind the martyrdom of the saints, and the persecutions which they en- 
dured, he looked forward to the gloi-y reserved for his reward for the 
sufferings which he might encounter in recovering the bell. 

On the evening of February 20th, 1704, the expedition arrived within 
two miles of Deerfield without being discovered. 

De Itouville here ordered his men to rest, and refresh themselves a 
short time, and he here issued his orders for attacking the town 

The surface of the snow was frozen, and crushed under the feet, but 
De Rouville with a remarkable sagacity, adopted a stratagem to deceive 
the inhabitants and the garrison. 

He gave orders that in advancing to the assault, his troops should 
make frequent pauses, and then rush forward with rapidity : thus imi- 
tating the noise made in the forest by the irregular blowing of the wind 
among branches laden with ice. 

The alarm was at length given, and a severe combat ensued, which 
resulted in the capture of the town, and the slaughter or dispersion of 
tiie inhabitants, and the garrison. 

This attTck occurred in the night, and at daybreak the Indians who 
had been exhausted by the labors of the night, presented themselves 
before Father Nicolas in a body, and begged to be led to the bell, that 
they might by their homage prove their veneration for it. Their priest 
was greatly affected by this earnest request, and De Rouville and others 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 119 

of the French laughed inimoderately at it, but the priest wished not to 
discourage them in their wishes, and he obtained of the French chief 
permission to send one of liis sohiiers to ring it in the hearing of the 
Indians. 

The sound of the bell in the stillness of a coid morning, and in the 
midst of the calmness of the forest, echoed clear and far, and fell upon 
the ears of the simple Indians, like the voice of an oracle. They trem- 
bled, and were filled with fear and wojider. 

The bell was taken from the belfry, and attached to a pole in sucli a 
manner thatfour men could carry it, and in this way it was borne off with 
their plunder in triumph, the Indians glorying in the deliverance of this 
miraculous wonder. 

But they shortly perceived it was too heavy a burden, for the rugged' 
route they piu-sued, and the yieiding nature of the snows over which 
they traveled. Accordingly upon arriving at the point on the lake, 
where they had left it, they buried their cherished treasure, with many 
benedictions of. Father Nicolas, until the period should arrive when 
they could transport it with more conveu^nce. 

As soon as the ice had disappeared, and the bland air of spring had 
returned, giving foliage to the trees, and the fragrance and beauty of 
flowers to the forests, father Nicolas again assembled at the church, his 
Indian converts, to select a certain number of the tribe, who with the 
assistance of a yoke of oxen, should go and bring in the dearly prized 
bell. 

During- this intei-val, all the women and children of the Indian village, 
having been informed of the wonderful qualities of the bell, awaited its 
arrival with eagerness and impatience, and regarded its advent, as one 
of those events which but rarely mark the progress of ages. As the 
time ap})roached, when the curious object should arrive, they were as- 
sembled on the bank of the river, and discoursing upon the subject, when 
far off in the stillness of the twilight, there was heard from the depths 
of the forest, a sound, which from being feeble and scarcely audible, be- 
came every moment louder. Every one listened, when presently the 
cry arose, it is the hell! it is the bell ! ! and in a moment after, the oxen 
were seen emerging from the wood, surrounded by a group of Indians, 
and bearing ihe precious burden on a pole beiween them. They had hung 
upon the beam and around the bell, clusters of wild flowers and leaves, 
and the oxen were adorned with garlands of flowers. Thus marching in 
triumph. Father Nicolas entered his village, more proud of his success, 
and received with more heartfelt joy, than a Roman general returning 
in triumph from the conquest of nations. 

From this triumphal march in the midst of the quiet of the evening, 
which was broken only by the murmur of the rapid, softened by the dis- 
tance arose the shouts of rejoicing, as the cortege entered the village, 
and the idol bell was deposited in the church. Every one gratified his 
eager cm-iosity by examining the strange and musical metal, and the 
crusade had been crowned with unqualified success. 

In due time it was raised to its place in the belfi'y, and has ever since, 
at the accustomed hours, sent its clear tones over the broad bosom of 
the St. Lawrence, to announce the hour of prayer and lapse of time, 
and although its tones are shrill and feeble beside iis modern companion, 
they possess a music, and call up an association, which will long give an 
interest to the church of the Saut St. Louis, at the Indian village of 
Caughnawaga," 

Mrs. Sigourncy, whose chaste and elegant poetry, is justly admired for 



120 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the melody of its versification, as well as its delicacy of sentiment, 
has written a poetical account of this legend, which we will here take 
the liberty of quoting. It will be seen that it is in accordance with the 
eri-oneous belief of its being carried to the St. Regis, the inconsisteucy 
of which has been above stated. 

THE BELL, OF ST. REGIS, 

" The red men came in their pride and wrath, 
Deep vengeance fired their eye, 
And the blood of the white was in their path, 
And the flame from his roof rose high. 

Then down from the bui-ning church they tore 
The bell of tuneful sound, 
And on with their captive train they bore, 
That wonderful thhig toward their native shore. 
The rude Canadian bound. 

But now and then with a fearful tone, 
It struck on their startled eax- — 
And sad it was 'mid the mountains lone, 
Or the ruined tempest's muttered moan, 
1'hat terrible voice tc hear. 

It seemed like the question that stirs the soul, 
Of its secret good or ill ; 
And they quaked as its stern and solemn toll, 
Reechoed from rock to hill. 

And they started up in their broken dream, 
'Mid the lonely forest shade. 
And thought that they heard the dying screanij 
And saw the blood of slaughter stream 
Afresh through the village glade. 

Then they sat in council, those chieftains old, 
And a mighty pit was made. 
Where the lake with its silver waters rolled. 
They buried the bell 'neath the verdant mould, 
And crossed themselves and prayed. 

And there till a stately powow came, 

It slept in its tomb forgot. 

With a mantle of fur, and a brow of flame, 

He stood on that burial spot. 

They wheeled the dance with its mystic round 
At the stormy midnight hour, 
And a dead man's hand on his breast he bound. 
And invoked, ere he broke that awful ground, 
The demons of pride and power. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 121 

Then he raised the beli with a nameless rite, 
Which none but himself might tell, 
In blanket and bear-skin he bound it tight, 
And it journeyed in silence both day and night, 
So strong was that magic spell. 

» 
It spake no more, till St. Regis's tower 
In northei-n skies appeared, 
And their legends extol that powow's power 
Which lulled that knell like the poppy flower, 
As conscience now slumbereth a little hour 
In the cell of a heart that's seared." 

The act of 1802, which will be hereafter given, empowered the trus- 
tees then created, to purchase a bell, and it is veiy probable that this 
may have been the one that was broken up, and recast a few years since. 
The earliest settlers of the country agree in this statement that a bell 
was in the church at a very early period, and that the village pi-esents 
now very nearly the same aspect that it did half a century since ; with 
the difference that it now is more decayed and neglected than then. 

The capture of Deerfield, divested of romance and tradition, occurred 
under the following circumstances. 

" In the evening of the 29th of February, 1704, Major Hertel de Rou- 
ville, with 20O French, and 142 Indians, after a tedious march of be- 
tween 2 and 300 miles through deep snows, arrived at an elevated pine 
foi-est about two miles north of the village, (now called Petty's plain,) 
bordering Deerfield meadow, where they lay concealed till after mid- 
night. Finding all quiet, and the snow being covered with a crust suffi- 
cient to support the men, Rouville left his snow shoes and packs at the 
foot of the elevation, and, crossing Deerfield river, began his march 
through an open meadow before daylight, with the utmost caution, which 
however, was unnecessary, for the guard had retired to rest, a little be- 
fore daylight. Arriving at the north west quarter of the fort, where the 
snow had drifted in many places nearly to the top of the palisades, the 
enemy entered the place, and found all in a profound sleep. Parties de- 
tached in various directions, broke into the houses, and dragged the as- 
tonished people fi-om their beds, and whenever resistance Avas made they 
were generally killed. A party forced the door of the house of the Rev. 
Mr. John Williams, who awakened by the noise, seized a pistol from his 
bed tester and snapped it at one of the Indians who were entering 
the room. He was seized, bound, and kept standing in his shirt for 
nearly an hour. His house in the meantime was plundered, and two of 
his children, with a black female servant, were murdered before the 
door. They then permitted him and Mrs. Williams, with five other child- 
dren to put on their clothes. 

The house of Capt. John Sheldon was attacked, but as the door at 
which the Indians attempted to enter was firmly bolted, they found it 
difficult to penetrate. They then perforated it with their tomahawks, 
and thrusting through a musket, fired and killed the captain's wife, as 
she was rising from a bed in an adjoining room. The captain's son and 
wife, awakened by the assault, leaped from a chamber window at the 



122 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

east ead of the house, by which the latter strained her ancle, and was 
seized by tlie Indians, but the husband escaped to the woods and reached 
Hatfield. After gaining possession of the bouse, which was one of the 
largest in the place, tiie enemy reserved it as the depot for the pri- 
soners, as they were collected from other parts of the village. The whole 
number made prisoners was 112, and the number of killed was 47. 
Having collected the prisoners, plundered and set fire to the buildings, 
Rouville left the place when the sun was about an hour high. Every 
building within the fort was reduced to ashes, except the meeting house, 
and that of Captain Sheldon, which was the last one fired, and saved by 
the English, who assembled immediately after the enemy left the place. 
The night following the attack, the enemy encamped in the meadow, in 
what is now Greenfield, about four miles from Deerfield village, where 
by clearing away the snow, and constructing slight cabins of brush, the 
prisoners were as comfortably lodged as circumstances would admit. 
The second day of the journey, Mi's. Widiams, who had been con- 
fined but a i'ew weeks previous, became exhausted through fatigue, and 
proving burdensome, her Indian master sank his tomahawk into her 
head, and left her dead at the foot of a hill near Green river. The 
march of the captives, on the Connecticut river continued several days 
without any incident of note, except now and then murdering an ex- 
hausted captive, and taking off his scalp. 

At the mouth of White river, Rouville divided his force into several 
parties; that which Mr. Williams accompanied proceeded down Onion 
river to Lake Champlain, and from thence into Canada. After his ar- 
rival there he was treated with civility and even humanity. In 1706, a 
flag ship was sent to Quebec, and Mr. Williams and fifty, seven other 
captives was redeemed and brought to Boston. All the surviving child- 
ren of Mr. Williams were redeemed with the exception of his daughter 
Eunice, who was left behind, being about ten years old." * 

She adopted the language, dress and religion of the Indians, and 
married one of the Caughnawagua tribe. She subsequently visited her 
New England relatives, but could not be induced to abandon her 
adopted people. Capt. Thomas Williams, at St. Regis, of whom we 
give a biographical notice, in this work, and whose name occurs on most 
of the treaties which the St. Regis Indians have held with the state, was 
a descendant of this daughter of the Rev. John Williams. 

During the revolutionary war a considerable portion of the St. Regis 
and a part of the Caughnawaga Indians joined the British; others led by 
Colonel Louis Cook, of whom we shall give a particular account in the 
following pages, joined the American cause. 

Concerning the history of the village during this period we have been* 
unable to obtain any knowledge. 

At the opening of the revolutionary war, the continental cause re- 
ceived much injury from the influence of the Johnsdn families, in Tryon 
county, and especially from Sir John Johnson, a baronet, and son of Sir 

• See Historical Collections of Massachusetts, by John W. Barber, p- 250,252 .Also a Bio- 
gr*pbical Memoir of ihe Rev. John Williams, by Stephen Williams, Deerfield 1837. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES'. 123 

William, who &eci-etly instigated the Indians to hostilities, and created 
much mischief on the frontier. 

To prevent this calamity it was thought advisable by Gen. Schuyler, 
to arrest Sir Jolin, and thus put it out of his power to do further mis- 
chief. 

Accordingly in May, 1776, Col. Dayton, with a part of his regiment 
then on its way to Canada, was sent to prosecute this enterprise.* 

Receiving timely notice of this, from his tory friends in Albany, he 
hastily assembled a large number of his tenants, and others, and pre- 
pared for retreat, which he successfully accomplished, taking to the woods 
and avoiding the route of lake Champlain, from fear of falling into the 
hands of the Continentals, supposed to be assembled in that direction, 
he struck deeper into the woods, by way of the head waters of the Hud- 
son, and descended the Raquette to Canad:i. Their provisions were soon 
gone, their feet became sore from traveling, and numbers were left to 
be picked up by the Indians, sent back for their relief. After nineteen 
days of hardships, which have had few parallels in our history, they 
reached Montreal. So hasty was their flight, that the family papers 
were buried in the garden, and nothing was taken, but such articles as 
were of prime necessity. His extensive family estates were confiscated, 
and he thenceforth became a most active loyalist, and the scourge of the 
Mohawk settlement during the remainder of the war. 

Some historians have supposed that an expedition of Mohawk Indians 
was despatched from Montreal to meet Sir John : and Brant long after, 
in rehearsing the exploits of his tribe, during the Revolution, says: "We 
then went in a body to a town, then in possession of the enemy, and 
rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him fearlessly through the streets, "f 

When on a visit of historical inquiry, at the Indian village of St Regis, 
in June 1852, the author obtained a tradition, that that people sent num- 
bers of their warriors to meet the fugitives, carrying parched corn and 
sugar to preserve them from perishing, until they could reach the Cana- 
dian settlements. 

We will return to the history of Gordon, and briefly trace the progress 
of the catholic mission, and then present the series of events which have 
marked the history of the village. 

There is a tradition that a tract of land on the east side of the river, 
and extending up two miles, was granted to the priest as a support. 



* Life of Brant, by William L. Si"iie, vol. i. p. 143, 144, and Sparke's Life and Williiigs 
of "Wasliinglon, nole in vol. iv. p. 409,410. 

t Stone's Life of Braat, vol. i., p. 144, note. 



124 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

but this claim has not been asserted, nor is it known that there is any 
written evidence of the fact. 

Father Gordon's health failing, he went back to Caughnawaga, in 1775, 
where he died iu 1777. The mission was then without u jiriest, five or 
six years. Father Denaut, Oct. 1784, from the Cedars, and Lebrun, a 
Jesuit from Caughnawaga, in January and September 1785, appear from 
the parish records, to have visited the place, to administer religious rites. 

Denaut subsequently became Bishop of Quebec, and the mission at 
the Cedars was supplied by L'Ai'chambault, who also occasionally visited 
St. Regis, in the absence of an established priest. 

In December, 1785, Roderick McDonnell, a Scotch priest, succeeded, 
and remained till 1806, when he died. He is interred under the choir of 
the church. Being a part of the time sick, he was assisted by A. Van 
Felsen, of Quebec, who was here from May 5, 1800, till September 30, 
1802. 

During McDonnell's residence, the present church was erected in 1791 
and 1792, at first without a belfry. 

The frame church was then standing, but soon after demolished. The 
present church is a massive stone building, of ancient and venerable ap- 
pearance, the walls nearly four feet thick, the windows high, and a door 
in the middle of the sash, for ventilation, after a custom prevalent in Ca- 
nada. Across the end opposite the door is a railing, and beyond and ele- 
vated above the floor of the church, is an ample space lor the altar, and 
the various fixtures of the catholic worship. The altar is unusually de- 
corated with gilding and ornaments, and the interior of the church is 
adorned with paintings and prints of religious subjects. The history of 
two of these paintings will be given elsewhere. 

A gallery extends across the end of the church over the door, for the 
accommodation of strangers and others, and iu tlie body of the church . 
near the wall, are a few seats for the singers. The greater part of the 
Indians, during worship, kneel or sit upon the floor, and the appearance 
presented to a stranger by the striking uniformity of dress and attitude, 
which he notices on first visiting the church during service, is very im- 
pressive. 

Preacliing is performed in the Mohawk dialect of the Iroquois language 
every sabbath, and all the ritual of the catholic church is observed with 
scrupulous care. 

McDonnell was immediately succeeded by Father Rinfret, aCanadian, 
who remained a year, when he removed to Caughnawaga, where he died 
a few years after. He was followed by J6an BaptisteRoupe, who arrived 
in the fall of 1807, and remained till the last of July, 1812. He was taken 
a prisoner in his house, at the affair which happened at St Regis, in the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 125 

'•all of 1812. He was succeeded by Joseph Marcoux, of Caughnawaga, 
AVho left in March, 1819, Avhen Nicholas Dufresne, held the office of priest 
till 1825. He then removed to the Sulpician Seminary, at Montreal, and 
has been for ten or twelve years a missionary at Two Mountains, 36 
miles noithward fi-om Montreal. 

In 1825, Joseph Vall6 arrived, and continued in the office till the fall 
of 1832, when he was succeeded by the E-ev. Francis Marcoux, the pre- 
sent missionary. Father Valle died in 1850, below Quebec. 

The sovereignty of the soil of the northern part of the state, was an- 
ciently vested in the Mohawks, who, from the earliest period of authentic 
history, exercised jurisdiction over it. Upon- the emigration of a part 
of this people to Canada, they claimed to carry with them the title from 
whence the villagers of St. Regis, asserted their claim to the northern 
part of the state, in common with the other Mohawk nations of Canada. 

The Mohawks it is well known, espoused the I'oyal cause in the revolu- 
tion, through the influence of the Johnson family, and emigrated to Grand 
river in Upper Canada, where they still reside on lands given them by 
government. Whatever title to the land remained with them, was sur- 
rendered by the following treaty, held at Albany, March 29, 1795. 

" At a treaty, held under the authority of the United States, with the 
Mohawk nation of Indians, residing in the province of Upper Canada, 
within the dominions of the King of Great Britain. Present, the Hon. 
Isaac Smith, Commissioner appointed by the United States, to hold this 
treaty, Abram Ten Broeck, Egbert Benson and Ezra L'Horamedieu, 
agents for the State of New York, Captain Joseph Brant and Capt. John 
Deserontyon, two of tlie said Indians, and deputies to represent the said 
nation at this treaty. 

The said agents having in the presence, and with the approbation of 
the said commissioners, proposed to, and adjusted with the said deputies, 
the compensation as hereinafter mentioned, to be made to the said nation 
for their claim to be extinguished by this treaty, to all lands within the 
said state. It is thereupon finally agreed and done, between the said na- 
tions and the said deputies, as follows, that is to say : The said agents do 
agree to pay to the said deputies, the sum of one thousand dollars for the 
use of the said nation, to be by the said deputies paid over to, and dis- 
tributed among the persons and families of the said nation, according to 
their usages, the sum of five hundred dollars, for the expenses of the said 
deputies, during the time they have attended this treaty, and the sum of 
one hundred dollars for their expenses in returning, and for carrying the 
said sum of one thousand dollars to where the said nation resides. And 
the said agents do accordinglj^ for, and in the name of the People of the 
State ofJVeiv York, pay the said three several sums to the deputies, in the 
presence of the said commissioners. And the said deputies do agree to cede 
and release, and these present witness that they accordingly do, for and 
in the name of the said nation, in consideration of the said compensation, 
cede and release to the people of the state of New York, forever, all the 
right or title of the said nation, to lands within the said state, and the 
claim of the said nation to lands within the said state, is hereby wholly 
and finally extuiguished. 



126 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In testimony whereof, the said commisssioner, the said agents, and the 
said deputies, have hereunto, and to two other acts of the same tenor and 
date, one to remain with the United States, one to remain with the 
said State, and one deHvered to the said deputies, to remain with the said 
nation, set tlieir hands and seals at the city of Albany, in the said State, 
the twenty-ninth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred 
and ninety-five." 

Sisjned, seah;d, and acknowled<red. 

(Copied from a MSS. volume entitled^'' Indian Deeds, and Treaties, 1712 — 
1810," in the office of Secretary of Slate, at Albany. Page 187.) 

Treaties with the Indians for their lands, were by a provision of tlie 

first constitution of the state, adopted April 20, 1777, resei*ved to the 

legislature. It was therein ordained, 

" That no purchases or contracts for the sale of lands, made since the 
foin-teenth day of October, 177.5, or which may hereafter be made, with 
or of the said Indians, within the limits of this state, shall be binding on 
the said Indians, or deemed valid, unless made under the authority, and 
with the consent of the Legislature of the state." {Laws ofJVeio York, vol. 
i, p. 16, 1813.) 

By an act passed April 4, 1801, it was provided: 

"That if any person should without the authority and consent of the 
Legislature, in any manner or form, or on any terms whatsoever, purchase 
any lands within this state, of any Indian or Indians residing therein, or 
make any contract with any Indian or Indians, for the sale of any lands 
within this state, or shall in any manner, give, sell, de'niee, convey or 
otherwise dispose of any such lands or any interest therein, or offer to do 
so, or shall enter on, or take possession of, or to settle on any such lands 
by pretext or color of any right, or interest, in the same, in consequence 
of any such purchase, or contract, made since the 14th day of October, 
1775, and not with the authority, and consent of the Legislature of this 
state, every such person shall in every such case, be deemed guilty of a 
public offence, and shall on conviction thereof, before any court having 
cognizance of the same, forfeit and ])ay to the people of this state, two 
hundred and fifty dollars, and be further punished by fine and imprison- 
ment, at the discretion of the court." 

The state being accordingly the only party whom the Indians could 
recognize, to them they applied for the settlement of their claims, to 
lands in the northern part of the state. 

These claims were based upon ancient and primitive occupation, and 
especially upon the rights which they conceived they had, for compensa- 
tion for sei-vices which some of them, particularly Colonel Louis Cook, 
their head chief had rendered in the war. The nature and amount of 
these services we will give in our notice of that chief 

In 1789, he applied for a confirtnation of a tract of land, in the present 
town of Massena, which be claimed was his own individual right, and 
this was subsequently confirmed to him by the Legislature. 

In 1792, the Caughnawaga and St. Regis tribes, claiming to represent 
the Seven Nations of Canada, sent a deputation to the governor of the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 127 

state of New York, to assert their claims, but this embassy produced no 
action in their favor. 

As we shall have frequent occasion to allude to these Seven .\atLons, 
it would be well to understand who and what they were, but here our 
knowledge is less definite than might be desired, especially in relation to 
the origin of the term, and of the league or combination of tribes of which 
it consisted. 

They appear to have been made up of several of the detached settle- 
ments of Iroq<ioi3 emigrants from New York, and of Algonquins, &c„ 
whom the catholic missionaries had domiciliated and settled in villages. 

The St, Regis branch did not originally form, it is said, one of the 
seven, which consisted according to the Rev. F. Mareouj, of an Iroquois, 
an xilgonquin, and a Nipessing nation at the Lake of Two Mountains, an 
Iroquo s tribe at Caughnawaga, the Oswegatchie tribe of Iroquois at La 
Presentation, a colony of Hurons at Loretr, nine miles north of Quebec, 
and a settlement of Abenekis at St. Francois, below Montreal, near the 
Sorel. 

After the breaking up of the French at La Presentation, and the partial 
dispersion of the Oswegatchies, tradition relates, that a grand council was 
held, and it was therein resolved, that the St. Regis, who had formed 
a part of the Canghnawagas, at the formatiou of the league, should take 
the place of the scattered tribe, and they thenceforth represented them 
in the assemblies. 

According to the gentlemen above mentioned, the tribes which repre- 
sented the Seven Nations, have at present the following numbers, (.June, 
1852). 

At the Lake of Two Mountains, of Iroquois, 2^0 

At the Lake of Two Mountains, Algonquius and Nipessing, together, 250 

At Caughnawaga, of L'Oquois, 1300 

At St. Regis, 1100 

At Lorett, of Hurons, a very few. 

At St. Francois of Abenakis, a few only. The numbers of the two 
latter were not knovrn. 

Failing in their first' negotiation with the state, the St. Regis people 
prosecuted tlieir claims, and in 1793 again appeared, by their deputies, 
at Albany, and laid their case before the governor, but without success. 
The foUowuig credentials are without date, but are believed to have been 
those furnished these Indians on this occasion : 

" The Chiefs at Cak-ne-wa-ge, head of the Seven JVations. 

To our brother, Commander and Governor, .\i-hnron-ta-go-ica, 
George Clinton, at the State of New York. Brother, this is what we 



12S HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

agreed upon, that we should have councils and conversations together, 
of peace and unity. 

Now brother, we beg that you will pay attention that you can take the 
matter into frood consideration betwixt yon and us. We have sent the 
bearers, which will give you to understand our real minds and meaning, 
which is: 

Thomas Aragrente, 
Thomas Tharagwanegcn, 
Lumen Tiatoharongiven, 
William Gray, 
Atthi naton. 
All the chiefs' compliments to you, and begyou will not let the bearers 
want for victuals or drink, as much as may be for their good. 
Te gan ni ta sen, Ona sa te gen, 

O na tri tsia wa ne, On wa ni en te ni, 

Sga na wa te, Tha na ha, 

Te ha sen, Sga hen to wa ro ne, 

Tha ia iak ge. Si no he se, 

Tha hen teh tha, Sa ie gi sa ge ne, 

Ga ron ia ra gon. Ga ron ia tsi go wa." 

(Signed by their marks.) 

This negotiation also failed in its object, and the deputies returned 
Jiome in disappointment. 

In the winter of 1793-4, Colonel Louis, with three other warriors, 
again repaired to Albany, to get, if possible, some specific time desig- 
nated, when the state would meet with them for their claim. They held 
an interview with the governor, but he declined at that time any nego- 
tiations with them on the subject, without referring their case to the 
legislature. 

The journal of the assembly, for 1794 (page 106), contains the follow- 
ing record in relation to the St. Regis Indians: 

" Mr. Havens, in behalf of Mr. Foote, from the committee appointed 
to take into consideration the communicatiori made to this house by His 
Excellency the Governor, relative to the St. Regis Indians, reported that 
they have enquired into the several circimistances connected with the 
claim of the said Indians to certain lands within the jurisdiction of this 
state, and are of the opinion that it will be necessary to appoint commis- 
sioners to treat with the said Indians, and to authorize them, by law, to 
extinguish the said claim, or to take such measures relative to the said 
business, as shall be most beneficial to this state, and to the United 
States." 

The following was the message of the governor, above alluded to. 
It was reported on the 21st of February of that year: 

" Gentlemen, 

You will receive with this message the conclusion of my conference 
with the Oneida Indians, and a copy of an additional speech of the 
Cayugas, and my answer thereto. 

I also transmit to you a speech made to me by Colonel Lewis, of St. 
Regis, who, with three other warriors, arrived here some days ago, as a 



AND FRAN'KLIN COUNTIES. 129 

deputation from the chiefs of the seven nations, of Lower Canada. You 
will perceive by my answer to them, that I have, for the reasons therein 
mentioned, declined entering into conference with them on the subject 
of their deputation, other than that of receiving their communication, 
which is now submitted to the considei-ation of the Legislature. 

Geo. Clinton. 

So far as we have been able to learn, the course advised by the com- 
mittee was not adopted, and lio encouragement was given the deputies 
further than the indefinite and unsatisfactory assurance that their claim 
should be examined at as earlj' a day as might be consistent. 

What the probable result would be, might perhaps be surmised, when 
wfe consider, that the state had already patented to Macomb and his 
associates the territory claimed by these Indians, reserving only a tract 
equal to six miles square, near the Indian village. It is very probable, 
that the Indians did not know of this sale, and still honestly believed 
themselves entitled to a lai'ge tract in the north part of the state. 

In December, 1794, they again appeared at Albany to urge their 
claim. The governor appears to have been absent, and a conmiunica- 
tion intended for him was delivered to John Taylor, of Albany, who 
addressed the governor the following letter, inclosing that which he had 
received from the Indians: 

Albany, 10th January, 1795. 
"Sir: 

The enclosed message was delivered me by one of the men who came 
down last winter. Col. Louis, and attended the Legislature at this 
place, on the subject of their lands. He says he was deputed by the 
Seven Nations for that purpose, and had directions to proceed to New 
York, if I could not do the business. As a journey to New York would 
have been attended by expense to the state, and trouble to you, I pro- 
mised to transmit the message, and recommended him to return houie. 
I am your Excellency's 

most obedient servant, 

John Tatlor." 
The letter referred to in the foregoing, was as follows: 

" Albant, December, 1794. 
Newataghsa Lewet: 

Brother: The Seven Nations of Upper Canada are still of the same 
mind as they were when you spoke with them last winter; but they 
expected you would have met them this summer on the bu.siness that 
they came about to your great council last winter. They suppose that 
the business of the war, which was expected, prevented your meeting of 
them. They hope you will attend to the business, and meet them, as 
you promised, as early as possible next summer, as they are still of the 
same mind they were when they spoke to you, and expect you are so 
likewise." 

The governor accordingly appointed Samuel Jones, Ezra L'Homme- 
dieu, N. Lawrence, Richard Varick, Egbert Benson, John Lansing, Jr., 
and James Watson, commissioners, to hold an interview with the Indians, 



130 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

to settle some preliminaries with them, but without the power to treat 
definitely with them on the subject. 

The following is the result of their negotiations, which was addressed 

to Governor Clinton : 

"New York, 6 March, 1795. 
Sir: 

Jn consequence of your Excellency's aftpointment of us to that trust, 
we have this morning had an interview 'with the eleven Indians now in 
the city, from the nation or tribe, distinguished as the St. Regis Indians, 
or the Indians of the Seven Nations of Canada, and Colonel Lewis, one 
of their number, as their speaker, made a speech to us, purporting that 
during the last winter, they had come to Albany while the Legislature 
was sitting there, and made known their desire that a future meeting 
might be appointed, in order to treat, and finally conclude and settle with 
them respecting their right and claim to lands within the limits of this 
state; that they had returned home with what they received, as assur- 
ances that such future meeting would have been appointed; that they 
had waited in expectation of it during the whole of the last season; that 
they are not authorized to treat or conclude therefor; that the only 
object of their present journey is again to propose such meeting, when 
all the chiefs will attend, so that whatever may then be agreed upon, 
should be binding on all the tribes. 

To this speech we have deferred giving an answer, stipposing it most 
fit that we should previously be informed of the sense of the Legislature 
on the subject; it being most probably the interest of both houses, that 
the act of the 5th instant should be limited to an agreement or an arrange- 
ment to be made at tliis time, and with the Indians who are now present. 

We have the honor to be, sir, with due respect, your most obedient, 
humble servants. 

Samuel .Iones, Richard Varick, 

Ezra L'Hommedieu, Egbert Benson, 

N. Lawrence, John Lansing, Jun., 

James Watson. 

His Excellency, Governor Clinton." 

The following were the speeches exchanged on this occasion : 

" Brothers : 

Since that parchment was delivered us, which you will remember, as 
well as some of our chiefs now present, for it was during the Indian 
war when we were employed to make peace, and we made known to 
the other Indians the promises therein contained, and they made peace, 
we have claimed payment for those lands by means of that parchment, 
and he has promised to do us justice. 

Brothers : 

With respect to our affairs with you, we rest upon your word; you 
have promised to do us justice, and we depend upon it. 

We have requested justice with the king, and he has promised to 
have a meeting, and to do us justice in the summer, and therefore we 
wish a settlement of our matter with you sooner. For if we should be 
engaged in settling that affair, and you should call upon us at the same 
time, we should have our hands full. Therefore, we wish a settlement 
with you first. 

Brothers : 

When we have made this settlement with you, we shall live with you 
like brothers, and not say tliat you have wronged us." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 131 

To the foregoing speech, the agents made the following reply t 

" Brothers : 

We have listened to what 3'ou have now told us. 1 

Brothers : 

The king and we are friends and neighbors, but he can not take a part 
in any business between you and us, nor can we take a part in any busi- 
ness between him and you. 

Brothers : 

You may rely on our promise, that the proposed meeting between you 
and us shall take place, but we can not now fix the time more precisely 
than we have done, for we do not know when we shall be ready, and if 
we should now fix a time, and should not then be ready, you would come 
to the place, and not finding us there, you would think we meant to 
deceive you. 

Brothers : 

We will certainly meet you as soon as we can, and we will give you 
seasonable notice. 

New York, 11th March, 1795. 

Richard Varick, Egbert Benson, 

James Watson, Ezra L'Hommedieu. 

Samuel Jones. 
The foregoing communication of the agents was transmitted to the 
Legislature on the 7th of March, 1795, by the govei'nor, in the following 
message. 

"Gentlemen: 

With this message you will receive a communication from the agents 
appointed to confer with the representatives of the St. Regis Indians, 
which will necessarily require your immediate attention. 

It must readily occur to you that no legislative direction exists with 
respect to the greater part of the expense incident to this occasion. 

The concurrent resolution of the 3d instant, only refers to the accom- 
modation of the Indians while in the city, and neither provides for the 
customary gratuities, nor the expenses arising from their journey hei*e 
and their return. 

I also transmit a letter from some of the chiefs of the Onondaga nation, 
I'especting the agreement made with them in 1793, by the commissioners 
appointed for the purpose." 

Geo. Clinton. 

Greemoich, 7 March, 1795. 

In pursuance of this advice the following resolution was introduced in 
the senate and passed. 

" Resolved. That his Excellency the Governor, be requested to direct 
that suitable accommodations be provided for twelve St. Regis Indians, 
who are expected in town this afternoon, on business relative to the 
claims on the State, and that the Legislature will make provision for 
defraying the expense." 

On the 9th of March, 1795, the resolution of the senate was referred 
to the assembly, and the following record appears on their journal. 

" Resolved. As the sense of both houses of the Legislature, that it is 
advisable a future meeting should be appointed by his Excellency the 

9 



132 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Governor, to be held with the Indians, generally known and distinguished 
as the Indians of St. Regis, in order to treat, and finally to agree with the 
said IiKlians touching any right or claim which they may have, to any 
lands within the limits of this state; and further, that his Excellency the 
Governor, in addition to the request contained in the concurrent resolu- 
tion of both houses, of the third instant, be also requested to cause the 
twelve Indians mentioned in said concurrent resolution, to be lurnished 
with such sum of money as may be requisite to defray the expenses of 
their journey to this city, and mi their return home, and also that his 
Excellency the Governor, be requested to cause such presents or gratui-^ 
ties as he shall deem proper to be given to the said Indians, in behalf of 
this state, and that the Legislature will make the requisite provision for 
carrying these resolutions into effect." 

Ordered. That the consideration of the said resolutions be posponed 
until to-morrow. 

The agents appointed by the Governor, held another intei-view with 
the Indians, and the speeches that were exchanged on the occasion are 
preserved, and were as follows: 

Speech of the Agents for the State of New York to Colonel Louis, and other 

St. Regis Indians. 
*'■ Brothers : 

When we met you, a few days ago, on your arrival in this city, we told 
you our chief the Governor, was sick, and that he had appointed us to 
meet jf^ou in his stead. 

Brothers : 

We then also bid you welcome, and which we now repeat to you. 

Brothers : 

You then told us that you had come to see us, and only to propose that 
there should be another meeting between us and you, when all your 
chiefs would attend, and treat and settle with us about land, which is 
within our state, and which you say belongs to you. 

Brothers : 

This was the substance of what you then told us, and we have told it 
to our chief the Governor, and our council the Legislature, and they have 
listened/ to it, and have directed us to tell you that they very willingly 
assent to what you have proposed, and that a message will be sent to 
you during the next summer, to inform you of the time and place, when, 
and where, we will meet you on the business, and we can now only 
promise, that the place will be as near where you live as conveniently 
may be, so as to save you the trouble of a long journey, and that the time 
will not be later in the next fall than when the travelling is good. 

Brothers : 

We wish you in the mean time to possess your minds in peace, for it 
is as much our wish as it is yours, that the business should be talked 
over and settled between you and us, in friendship and integrity, as 
between brothers, for as we do not desire any land which belongs to you, 
without paying you for it, so we hope you do not desire we should pay 
you for that which does not belong to you. 

Brothers : 

We now bid you farewell, for the present, and wish you a safe journey 
home, and that we may meet each other again in peace and in health, 
at the intended future meeting." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 133 

To this speech of the commissioners the St, Regis Indians through 
Colonel Louis, their speaker, replied as follows: 
"Brothers : 

It is usual when brothers meet, if it is even the next day, to thank 
Providence for preserving each of them, so as to meet again. 

Brothers : 

We are very thankful that you have taken so much pity on your 
brothers, who have come so great a distance to see you, that they were 
almost barefooted and uncovered, and you at our first arrival in the city, 
gave us a pair of shoes and hat each, for which we are thankful. 

Brothers : 

When we first arrived \\ere, we told you the business we had come 
upon, and which we had come upon several seasons before, and par- 
ticularly last winter. You then promised that you would meet us, but 
you have not done it. 

We have business at home as well as you, brothers, an^ for that reason 
we request you to consider about the matter deliberately. 

Brothers : 

We think it is a long time hence that you have fixed upon. We told 
you when we came, that we had other business with the king, who also 
is on our lands. All the other nations to the westward are concerned in 
that business, and I expect I have that to see to, as they depend on my 
council. If that should take place at the same time as yours, it will be 
inconvenient, we therefore wish to have our business with you first 
settled, before we settle with the king. 

Brothers : 

We were at Albany when you received the speech of the king; I then 
told you the minds of our chiefs upon that subject, for I know it. 

You told us then your minds were to do us justice, and that made our 
breasts cool. We i-eturned home and told the king to perform the pro- 
mise he had made to us. 

[Here Colonel Louis produced a printed proclamation in parchment, 
by the late Sir William Johnson.] 

For this reason we expect our matters with you first settled. For the 
king told us, that about midsummer he would come and settle with us 
for the lands of ours which he had possessed and improved. 

Then, brothers, we shall be able to come and inform you how we have 
settled with him." 

The Legislature by an act passed March 5, 1795, provided, " That it 
shall and may be lawful, for the person administei'ing the government of 
this State, either by himself, or by such agent or agents as he shall there- 
unto appoint, to make such agreement and arrangements with the In- 
dians of St. Regis, or with the representatives of the said Indians, re- 
specting their claims to any lands within this State, or any part or parts 
thereof, as shall tend to ensure their good will and friendship to the peo- 
ple of the United States, and to extinguish any, and every such claim, 
and in such manner as he or such agents so to be appointed may think 
propel', but no such agreement or arrangement by such agents shall be 
valid, unless ratified and confirmed by the person administering the 
government of this State, any thing in the ' act relative to Indians resi- 
dent within the State' passed the 27th of March, 1794, to the contrary 
hereof notwithstanding." 



134 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The act here referred to, was a law relative to the Indians resident 
within the state, which appointed the Governor, with William North, 
John Taylor, Abraham Van Vechten, Abraham Ten Broek, Peter Ganse- 
voort, Jr., and Simeon Dewitt, trustees for the Indians within the state, 
and for each and every tribe of them, with full power to make such agree- 
ments and arrangements with the ti'ibes of central New York, respecting 
their lands, as shall tend to produce an annual income to the said Indians, 
and to insure their good will and friendship to the people of the United 
States. 

No grants were to be made by the Indians, except to the state. 

They were further empowered to treat with any other Indians, for any 
other lands within the state, and the consideration paid for the ex- 
tinguishment of these claims, was to be paid at the time of making the 
contract, or within one year thereafter. 

Commissioners were again appointed, who met the deputies at Fort 
George, at the south end of Lake George, in September, 1795, where an 
interview was held, but without arriving at satisfactory results, or an 
agreement between the parties. We have not been able to procure the 
speeches that were made on this occasion, or what transpired between 
them, further than the intimations contained in the following pages. 

The results were communicated by the agents of the state to Governor 
Jay, who in the month of January, transmitted the following message to 
the legislatui-e. 

Gentlemen : 

" I have now the honor of laying before you the proceedings at a treaty 
with the Indians, denominated the Seven Nations of Canada, comprising 
those usually denominated the St. Regis Indians, held at the south end of 
Lake George, in this State, on the 26th day of September last, with a 
letter of the 2d instant, from the agents who were appointed to attend it 
on the part of the State. 

It appears from the above mentioned letter, that the expenses incident 
to the said treaty have been paid, and the accounts duly audited and 
passed, except the allowance usually made by the United States to the 
commissioners whom they employ for holding treaties with Indians. 

The compensation due to the said agents for their services, still remains 
to be ascertained and ordered by the Legislature. 

New York, 23d January, 1796. 

John Jay." 

On the 26th of March, 1796, the governor transmitted to the legisla- 
ture a message, accompanying a letter from the department of war, dated 
the 19th inst., together with the report of the secretary of state, on the 
subject of claims made by the Indians called the Seven Nations of Canada, 
to lands within the state. 

This message with the accompanying papers, was referred to the com- 
mittee of the whole. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 135 

This was subsequently referred to a joint committee of the two houses, 
who reported on the 1st of April, as follows: 

" That although the several matters stated by the agents of this State 
to the said Indians, at the late treaty held with them at Lake George, are 
to be relied on as true, and to be considered as sufficient to prevent the 
supposition that the said Indians have a right to lands claimed by them; 
and that although these matters both in respect to fact and inference, re- 
main unanswered by the said Indians, yet that it will be proper whenever 
a treaty shall be held for the purpose by the United States with the said 
Indians, that agents for this State should again attend, in order further to 
examine and discuss the said claim, and if they shall deem it eligible, 
then also further to propose and adjust with the said Indians, the compen- 
sation to be made by this State for the said claim." 

This resolution met with the concurrence of the house. 

In pursuance of this concurrent resolution of the senate and assembly, 
the governor appointed Egbert Benson, Richard Varick and Jas. Watson, 
agents on the part of the state, to meet the deputies of the St. Regis and 
Caughnawaga tribes, who then claimed, and have since been recognized 
by the state, to be the representatives of the Seven Nations of Canada, 
to negotiate in the presence of a commissioner appointed by the govern- 
ment of the United States, for the extinguishment of the Indian title to 
lands in the northern part of the state. The following is an account of 
the proceedings at this treaty, which we derive from the original manu- 
sci'ipt in the office of the secretary of state, at Albany: 

" At a treaty held at the city of New York, by the United States, with 
the nations of Indians denominating themselves the seven nations of 
Canada ; Abraham Ogden, commissioner for the United States, appointed 
to hold the treaty, Ohnawiio, alias Good Stream, achief of the Caughna- 
wagas, Oteatohatongwan, alias Colonel Louis Cook, a chief of the St. 
Regis Indians; Teholagwanegen, alias Thomas Williams, a chief of the 
Caughnawagas, and William Gray, deputies authorized to represent 
these nations or tribes at the treaty, and Mr. Gray also serving as inter- 
preter. 

Egbert Bensen, Richard Varrick, and James Watson, agents for the 
state of New York. 

May 23, 1796. 

The deputy, Thomas Williams, being confined to his lodging in this 
city by sickness, was unable to be present ; the other three deputies pro- 
posed, nevertheless, to proceed to the business of the treaty. The com- 
missioner thereupon, informed them generally, that he was appointed to 
to hold the ti-eaty; that the sole object of it was, to enable the state of 
New York, to extinguish by purchase, the claim or right of these nations 
or tribes of Indians, to lands within the limits of the state, and that 
agreeably to his instructions from the president, he would take care the 
negotiation for that purpose, between the agents for the state and the 
Indians, should be conducted with candor and fairness. 

Mr. Gray, then read and delivered the following speech, as from the 
deputies, written in English. 



136 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

A table from the seven nations of Indians residing in the state of New 
York, and Upper and Lower Canada, to the commissioner of the United 
States and state of New York, concerning a claim of lands in the state 
of New York. 

Brothers: 

We are sent from our nations to you, and fully empowered by them 
to treat with you respecting our lands, or on any other occasion that 
may be attended with a good meaning, or cause to brighten and stregthen 
the chain of friendship betwixt you and us. This power now given us. 
present. Colonel Louis Cook, Ohnawiio, Good Streanj, Teholagwanegan, 
Thomas Williams, and William Gray, our interpreter at Caughnawaga, 
the place where our Great Council Fire is held, and where our nations 
were all assembled and in full council, and there to convince you, broth- 
ers, and in order that your business might be attended to with care, and 
speed, they gave us their full power, to act in behalf of our nations, and 
that vi'hatsoever should be agreed upon betwixt you and us, the same 
should ever hereafter be indisputable, and stand for just, to us, or any of 
us. This power was given to us on paper, and signed by all our princi- 
pal chiefs, and the same paper, lodged in the hands of our great brother, 
George Washington, the President, one who we had too much confi- 
dence iu, to believe that he would have misplaced a papei", of that con- 
sequence, however it does not alter our power, as we have before men- 
tioned. We are sent to you for the purpose of having a final settlement 
with you before we return to them, and brothers, our chief's last charge, 
when we parted with them at the great council at Caughnawaga, was 
to reason the case with our brothers, and to act with judgment; for that 
whatsoever was agreed on at this meeting, thro' us, should stand for just 
to the whole of our nations. 

Brothers : 

At our meeting last fall, at Fort George, you, atler some conversations, 
desired us to point out the land we claimed in this state, and accord- 
ingly we did. 

Brothers : 

You then brought in several objections against our claim, but we could 
not find either of them to be reasonable, or in any way sufficiently 
weighty, if Ave had ever sold any of our lands, either to the king of 
France or Great Britain, or either of the United States, we should have 
of course signed our names to the agreement, which if that were the 
case, we are sensible that such y^apers would be brought forward against 
us, and that too with great justice,but so far from anything of the kind, 
that we bid defiance to the world, to produce any deed, or sale, or gift, 
or lease, of any of the lands in question, or any part of them, from us, 
to either the king of France, or Britian, or to either of the United States, 
or to any individual, excepting those we have adopted into our nation, 
and who reside with us. 

Brothers : 

You produced to us a copy of a deed from several Mohawks, for eight 
hundred thousand acres of land, which these Mohawks had as good a 
right to sell, as they have to come and dispose of the city of New York, 
notwithstanding this, you at the treaty of last fall, pointed those people 
out to us, to be too just a people, you thought to do a thing of the kind; 
but what makes them just in your eyes, we expect is because they stole 
trom us, and sold to you. This is what makes them a just people. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 137 

Brothers : 

Had we several years ago, done as those have, whom you call a 
just people, that is; had we sold off all our lands, then; underhandedly 
sold our brothers, and then fled our country; took up arms and come 
and killed men, women, and children, indiscriminately: burnt houses 
and conunitted every other act of devastation, and in short, done every- 
thing we could, against our once nearest friends, then according to what 
you say of these Mohawks, you would have esteemed us a just people, 
and therefore would not have disputed our claim. 

Brothers : 

From what we have seen, within a few years, we have reason to believe 
that a people as those, are most esteemed in your eyes ; we need not 
mention to you the conduct of the western Indians, nor of their friends, 
you can judge who we mean, but it seems those who injure you the 
most, you are the I'eadiest to serve. 

Brothers : 

It seems that before a nation can get justice of another, they must 
first go to war, and spill one another's blood, but brothers, we do not 
like this mode of settling differences; we wish justice to be done with- 
out, and it so far from the conduct of a Christian people, that we are 
fully determined we never will resort to such means, unless driven to it 
by necessity. 

Brothers : 

It is our earnest wish, to live in friendship and unity with you, and we 
have always endeavored to persuade oiu- brother Indians to take pattern 
by us, and live peaceably with you, and to think that our brothers of the 
United States were a jifst j)eople, and never would wrong them of any 
of their lands that justly belonged to them. 

Brothel's : 

This we did on the strength of your former promises to us, which we 
think you remember too well to need them to be repeated. You who 
depend on ink and paper, which ought never to fade, must recollect bet- 
ter than we, who can not write, and who depend only on memory, yet 
your promises are fresh in our minds. 

Brothers : 

We ask for nothing but what is our just due, and that we ever shall 
expect to get, until such time as you deny your own words, not only by 
breaking your promises, but making false speakers of us in all that ever 
we said to our brother Indians, in your behalf, and encouraging those 
who always have been endeavoring to injure both you and us, all that 
ever lay in their power. 

Brothers : 

We entreat you only to look back, and consider the privileges your 
brother Indians formerly enjoyed, before we were interrupted by other 
nations of white people, who feign themselves to us as brothers, and let 
justice take place betwixt you and us, in place of arbitrary power, for 
that brothers, you very well know, is a thing that, never gave content- 
ment to any people, or nation whatsoever. 

Brothers : 

Formerly we enjoyed the privilege we expect is now called fi-eedom ; 
and liberty becomes an entire stranger to us, and in place of that, comes 
ill flattery and deceit, to deprive poor ignoi-ant people of their property, 
and bring them to poverty, and at last to become beggars and laughing- 
stocks to the world. 



138 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Brothers : 

This is what we have already seen, but, however, we wish never to 
reflect on what is past, but trust in the Great Spirit who made us all, to 
60 order it that justice may take place, and that better is to come. 

Brothers : 

We pray you to take this matter into good consideration, and do by 
us as you would wisli to be done by brothers, that is what we wish for, 
that every brother might have their rights, throughout this continent, and 
all to be of one mind, and to live together in peace and love, as becometh 
brothers; and to have a chain of friendship made betwixt you and us, 
too strong ever to be broke, and polished and brightened so pure, as ' 
never to rust : This is our sincere wishes. 

Brothers : 

We wish likewise to enjoy our own laws and you yours, so far, that is, 
if any of our people, Indians, should commit a crime to any of their 
brothers, the white people of the United States, that he may be punished 
by his own nation, and his chiefs to make good all damages; and like- 
wise on the other part, if any white person shall commit a crime to any 
Indian, that we the Indians, are not to take revenge on the person, but 
resign him up to justice, and there let him be punished according to the 
laws of his nation. 

Brothers : 

This we think will be one great step towards strengthening the chain 
of friendship, and to prevent all differences and disputes hereafter, and 
that is what we could wish that after this settlement with you brothers, 
that there never may hereafter arise differences or disputes betwixt you 
and us, but rather, if any nation, people or individual, should attempt to 
cause any difference or dispute Ijetwixt you and us, or to intrude, or 
wish to injure either of us, that we may be all agreed as one, to drive 
such ill-minded people from off our continent, that does not wish to live 
amongst us in time of peace. 

Brothers : 

These are our sincere wishes, and we hope that you will consider this 
matter well, and let us make a good path for your children and ours to 
walk in after us ; this brothers, is our greatest desire, and to live in peace 
and love with you. 

Brothers : 

As to our lands, we wish our children after us to share their part of 
the lands as well as us that are now living, and we are sensible, brothers, 
that if you do by us as you wish to be done, were it your case, as it is 
ours, and let justice speak, and make us an offer for our lands, yearly, 
exclusive of a small piece we wish to resei-ve for our own use, we are 
satisfied that as you know the value of lands so much better than we do, 
that your offer will prevent any further contention on the business. 

Brothers : 

We with patience wait your answer. 

May 24, 1796. 

Speech from the Agents of the Slate to the Deputies for the Indians. 

Brothers : 

We have considered your speech to us of yesterday, and we find the 
question respecting your claim, remains as it was at the conferences be- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 139 

twixt you and us, at the treaty held at Lake George, last fall, were closed. 
Without some further evidence, it appears to be scarcely reasonable in 
you to expect we should admit your claim, and the only inducement 
with us to have it released or extinguished is, as we have before stated 
to you, because we desire to live in peace and good neighborhood with 
you, and to avoid all controversy in future, and consequently not any 
supposed merit or justice in the claim itself, but merely contentment and 
satisfaction to you. are the considerations in determining as to the amount 
of the compensation to be allowed you. We have thei'efore offered you 
three thousand dollars, which you declined accepting, without any offer 
or proposal in return from you ; and although it was then intended as a 
definite offer from us, we are still willing to add to it or to vary it to an 
annuity, in order to which, however, you must now inform us what your 
wishes or expectations are. This will be necessary, otherwise the ne- 
gotiations will not be conducted on terms duly fair and equal between 
us." 

May 25, 1796. 

Mr. Gray read and delivered to the agents the following speech, as 
from the deputies, written in English. 

A speech from the Seven JVations of Canada and State of JVew York, to their 
Brothers of the State of JVew York. 

" Brothers : 

We have considered your answer of yesterday, to our speech to you 
on the day before, wherein you aay, you find the question respecting our 
claim remaining as it was when we parted last fall from the treaty at 
Lake George. Very true, so it does; for if we remember right, you told 
us you would give us three thousand dollars for a release or quit claim 
for all the lands in our claim, exclusive of six miles square, to he I'eserved 
for the use of the village of St. Regis ; and that was all you could offer, 
as you was sent thei'e by them that was greater than you. We told you 
we was not able to comply with your offer, as we did not wish to bring 
our children to poverty by an action of that kind. Neither did you ask 
us what we did expect to have for our lands; if you had we should im- 
mediately have told you. 

Brothers : 

Now you say, without some further evidence, you can not see fit to 
admit our claim. 

We want you brothers to tell us what further proof you wish us to 
shew than what we already have shown? We have told you, time past, 
and we tell you now, that our claim is just, and as to finding any other 
nation or people that say that our claim is not just, or that there is a 
better title can be procured than ours, as we told you before, we are 
sensible that can not be done, in justice; however, for your satisfaction, 
brothers, as we have mentioned several times before, that if you was not 
convinced that our claim was just, to be at the expense of calling the 
diflferent nations whose boundaries join our claim, and let them be evi- 
dences for and against us. We likewise tell you, that if we ever had 
sold any part of the lands we now claim to bring forward the pa|)ers 
signed by our chiefs, and they will end the business betwixt you and us, 
and for further evidence, we think it, brothers, unnecessary. 

Brothers : 

We will now tell you what we expect to have, and do justice to you, 



140 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and ourselves. That is, to reserve for our own use, in land, to begin at 
the vilkifre of St, Regis, and to run east ten miles on the line of the lati- 
tude of forty-five, then up the River St. Lawrence, from the village of 
St. Regis to a place called the Presque Isle, which we think is about 
thirty-rive or forty miles from the village, and that distance to continue 
twenty miles in breadth. This piece we wish to reserve for our own 
use, which is but a very small piece. And the principal do we offer for 
your settlements, or any other use you may see fit to put it to. We 
should think it no ways out of reason or justice, to allow us the sum of 
three thousand pounds yearly, which will come to a trifle over one dollar 
for each ])erson that is now living, ami has a right in this claim, which 
is but a small sum towards clothing a person yearly, when before your 
dealing up our hunting grounds, we supported ourselves both in victucds 
and clothing, from what nature provided for us from oflT those lands. 

Brothers : 

Your comi)liances to these ter;ns, will give contentment to the minds 
of your brethren, the Indians of the Seven Nations. 

26th May, 1796. 

Speech from the Agents to the Deputies. 

Brothers : 

We had intended to have avoided all further examination of the merits 
of yom* claim, and that the conferences between you and us should have 
been confined only to adjusting the compensation to be allowed to you 
for the extinguishment of it; but there are some parts of your speech of 
yesterday which we suppose ought not to remain wholly unnoticd by us. 

Brothers : 

You say there is no other people can be found, who can say your 
claim is not just, and if we are not convinced your claim is just, that we 
should be at the expense of calling the different nations whose bounda- 
ries join your claim, to be evidences foi', and against your claim. 

Brothers : 

It would be sufficient for us merely to say, that considering the ob- 
jections we have made to your claim, and the very unsatisfactory manner 
in which you have endeavored to answer them, that it is not reasonable 
in you to propose that we should be at the expense of procuring the at- 
tendance of the Indians, to whom you refer as witnesses. We will 
however, state a fact, to convince you that if they did attend, such is the 
probability that their testimony would be againstyour claim, as to render 
it unavailable even for you to call them. 

Brothers : 

Tiie Six Nations of Indians, by a deed dated the 30th day of Novem- 
ber, 1787, and in consideration of an annuity of two thousand dollars, 
sold to .Toll n Livingston, and his associates, for the term of nine hun- 
dred and ninety-nine year.-, lands described in the said deed as follows: 

" All that certain tractor parcel of land, commonly called and known 
" by the name of the Lands of the Six Nations of Indians situate, 
" lying, and being, in the state of New York, and now in the actual pos- 
" session of the said chiefs, and sachems of the Six Nations. Beginning 
"at a place commonly known and called by the name of Canada Creek, 
"about seven miles west of Fort Stanwix, now Fort Schuyler, thence 
•' north easterly, to the line of the province of Quebec, thence along the 
" said line to the Pennsylvania line, thence east on the said line, or Penn- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



l4l 



*' syivania line, to the line of Property, so called, by the state of New 
" York, thence along said line of Property to ' Canada Creek ' aforesaid." 

These boundaries, yoii perceive, include nearly, if not all the landa 
you claim within this state, and the deed is signed by forty-five Indian 
chiefs, and among the witnesses to it is Colonel Louis, the deputy here 
present. 

This deed was confirmed by another, bearing date the 9th day of July, 
i788. Signed by sixty-six chiefs, and among the witnesses were Colonel 
John Butler, and Captain Joseph Braht. These deeds having been 
given up to the state, by the persons to whom they were made, have 
been .lodged in the Secretary's office, and they are now produced to you, 
in order that you may see them. This purchase by Mr. Livingston, and 
his associates, without the consent of the Legislature, was contrary to 
the constitution of the state, and therefore void. 

It is, notwithstanding, sufficient for the purpose for which we princi- 
pally mention it, as it is not to be presumed, that these Indians would 
ever declare that lands which they intended to sell, and be paid for, as 
belonging to themselves, did belong to others. Not only so, but the 
persons who have subscribed the deeds, as witnesses, and having a 
knowledge of Indian affairs, and some of whom, even Colonel Louis 
himself, if we are hot much misinformed, assisted Mr. Livingston, and 
his associates, in making the purchase, were called on as witnesses, be- 
tween you and us, they must declare, that they never had heard or 
believed, that any part of the lands described in these deeds, belonged 
to any other nations than the Six Nations, otherwise they must declare 
that they were witnesses to a transaction, which they knew to be in- 
tended fraudulent, and injurious to you ; so that it must evidently be 
fruitless in you to depend on the testimony of the neighboring nations, 
to establish your claim. 

Brothers : 

When we first came together, at the treaty held last fall, and before 
any formal speeches had passed between you and us, you mentioned, 
that you claimed the lands also on the east side of the Itne between thia 
state, and the state of Vermont; but the intent of that treaty, being 
only for the extinguishment of your claim to lands within this state, the 
lands in Vermont were omitted out of the boundaries of your claim, as 
you afterwards described it to us. 

This you again affirmed to us verbally, yesterday, and you declared 
the lands claimed by you, within the limits of Vermont, as running from 
Ticonderoga to the Great Falls on Otter Creek, thence easterly to the 
heights of land, dividing the waters which run eastwardly, from the 
waters which run into Lake Champlain, thence along these heights, and 
the heads of the waters running into Lake Champlain, to the forty- 
fifth degree of latitude, and we take it for granted, you mean your claim 
is the same as well with respect to the lands in Vermont as to the lands 
in this state. 

The king of Great Britain, however, when the territory was under the 
jurisdiction of this state, as the colony of New York, made grants of 
land, within the boundaries of your claim, as extending into Vermont, 
without requiring a previous purchase from you, or any other nation, or 
ti-ibes of Indians, which is a further proof against the existence of any 
title, in you, to the lands you claim. 

Brothers : 

In 1782 and 1788, we purchased from the Oneidas, Cayugas, and Onou- 
dagos, the whole of their lands, except some tracts which were reserved 



142 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

for their own use, and the land which we purchased from each of these na- 
tions, and exclusive of the reservations, are certainly not less in value, 
than the lands you claim, as comprehended within this state. 

Their title was not disputed — your title is not only disputed, but ut- 
terly denied by us. We are still willing however, but from motives of 
prudence and good will, only, to place you in respect to the amount of 
compensation, on an equal footing with them, and therefore will allow you , 
the average of what was then allowed them, which will be an immediate 
payment of one thousand pounds, six shillings and eight pence, an an- 
nuity of two hundred and thirteen pounds, six shillingsand eight pence. 
The tract equal to six miles square, near the village of St. Regis, still to 
be applied to your use, as reserved in the sale to Alexander Macomb. 

If this offer is accepted by you, it will then remain to be adjusted be- 
tween you and us, as to the time, place and manner, in which the pay- 
ments are to be made. 

Brothers : 

We shall now await for your answer. 

28th May, 179G. 

Speech from the Deputies to the Agents- 

Brothers : 

We have considei-ed your offers to our last speech, and we think that 
we understand the greater part of them, and we are happy to think that 
after so long a time, you have thought fit to take some part of our 
speeches into good consideration. 

Brothers : 

We did say there was no people could with justice say your claim is 
not just, and'we still repeat to you, brothers, that these deeds, you have 
shewM to us, are unjust, that is, we mean according to all information 
we can get from Colonel Louis, who was present when such purchase 
should have been made, and according to all the conversations we have 
had with the different nations, that should have sold this tract of land, 
belonging to us, and we never understood by these nations, that they 
had disposed of any lands within our boundaries. 

We have strictly examined Colonel T^euis that was present when these 
purchases were made, of those nations, and he solemnly declares that he 
did not know of their selling any part of our lands, or any other, only he 
lands that belonged to them, and we take him to be a man of better prin- 
ciples, than to be a witness to so great a piece of misconduct against his 
own tribe, and tlien not to inform us of it before this time; we therefore 
must needs tell you, that we think there is a great deception in those deeds, 
as there has been in many other former purchases from our brother In- 
dians, and to convince you, brothers, that we do not make an unjust de- 
mand; was it not for our poverty, we should not have requested you to 
have been at the expense of calling the different nations for witnesses be- 
tween you and us, as we wish to convince you that we are a people that 
always have acted on honest principles, and mean to continue in doing 
the same. However, it seems you are indifferent about having these na- 
tions to come forward, and for our parts, brothers, we think it a great 
honor to settle matters that concern you and us among ourselves, and not 
to trouble our neighbors with our business. We therefore are willing to 
comply with anything in reason and justice, rather than it should be said 
by those ill-minded people that are always trying to invent mischief be- 
tween us, that we could not agree. But there is one question we wish to 
tisk you brothers ; — have you not known ua to be the right owners of these 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 143 

lands, why did you direct your good advice to us at the beginning of the 
trouble between you and the king of England? 

We are sensible that a nation or people without lands, are like rogues 
without friends; of neither, is notice taken, or confidence put on them. 
But we i-eceived your council, heard your advice and your promises to 
us, and took them to be sincere, and we ever since have endeavored to 
live up to them with you as near us as possibly was in our power, and 
we believe we can with safety say, that since we have been neighbors, 
tfiat we never have injured you or your properties, even to the value of a 
fowl. Neither have we made any demands from you while we could sup- 
port ourselves by hunting, and always thought it to be a favor to our 
brothers in the new settlements, rather than to think or have the least 
mistrust that it would be a detriment to your justifying our claim when 
made. No brothers, we put too much confidence in your good and fair 
promises, to have the least mistrust of a thing of the kind. 

Brothers : 

Respecting our lands in Vermont, our claim in that state is as our claim 
in this state, which is just; and as to the king of Great Britain giving 
grants for settlements without requii-ing a purchase of us, that was not 
much for him to do at that time. If that had been the only mis-step he 
had taken towards the welfare of his children, we dare say you would 
not have rebelled against the government and laws of Great Britain, for 
the sake of obtaining liberty. 

So we think that but a ver}^ small part of the reason why we should be 
depi'ived of our rights. And we have mentioned to you in a speech at 
the treaty last fall, at Fort George, that he did request us to sell those lands 
to him, and our answer was to him that we could not sell our lands, and 
that we had reserved them for the maintenance of our children, after us, 
and that has always been the advice of our forefathers, never to sell any 
part of our lands, but to lease them for an annuity, if it was ever so small, 
and we shall never forget their advice to us. And on these principles our 
lands were settled, and that was when we could not support ourselves by 
hunting, that those who resided on our lands must expect to give us some 
assistance for the use of our lands. 

Brothers: 

And in respect to your last offer to us for our lands in this State, we 
must beg you to have a little patience, and consider this matter once more, 
and we will now make an offer, which we are sure you will not think un- 
reasonable, that is, brothers, we are not able to bring our reserve into as 
small a compass as possible, without interfering with our plantations, 
which will be resigning up to you about two thirds of the reserve, which 
we never did intend to dispose of on any consideration whatever. Still, 
as we have before mentioned, that we are willing tocomply on any terms 
in reason, for the sake of good neighborhood and friendship with you, 
you will allow us to resei've to our own use, as follows: 

Beginning at at the head of the second inland above Long Saut, on 
the river St. Lawrence, and run down the stream of the said river, ten 
miles below the village of St. Regis; then back into the woods twenty- 
ane miles, then westwardly in rear the same distance as in front, and 
from thence to the river, opposite to said island, to the place of begin- 
ning. This reserve, brothers, we will not be able to make any less, 
brothers, without interfering with the plantations of our people, which is 
out of our power, so to do; and an annuity of four hundred and eighty 
pounds, with all expenses free, to the place where we may agree for the 
delivery of said payments; if so be you may see fit to agree to this offer, 



144 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

which we are sure you can not think unreasonable, for we are sensible 
it will not be more than half a cent per acre yearly; and the payment to 
be as you propose. 

Brothers : 

We hope you will not request us to vary from this offer, which we 
begf you rightly to consider, and let us live as well as yourselves. We 
will wait your answer. 

28th May, 1796. 
Speeli from the Agents to the Deputies. 

Brothers : 

The offer which we made you the day before yesterday, was upon 
mature consideration, and appeared to us to be as liberal as you could 
possibly expect, and it is now to be considered, as definite between you 
and us, so that it only remains for you to give us your final answer, 
whether you are willing to accept it or not, in order that the negociations 
at the present treaty may be brought to a close. We would however, 
explain to you, that a reasonable allowance to you as deputies, for your 
services and expenses in attending this treaty, and such presents as are 
usual on these occasions, will be made to you, exclusive of the compen- 
sations which we have proposed, should be for the nations or tribes 
whom you represent. 

30th Mat, 1796. 

Speech from the Agents to the Deputies. 
Brothers : 

After we had made our speech to you the day before yesterday, you 
verbally suggested to us, that the Indians of St. Regis had built a mill on 
a river, which you call Salmon river, and another on a river which you 
call Grass river, and that they had always supplied themselves with hay 
from the meadows on Grass river. You describe these rivers generally, 
only as emptying into the river St. Lawrence and being iti the vicinity 
of St. Regis; and it is uncertain, whether they, and especially the places 
on them, where the mills are built, will be included in the tract equal to 
the six miles square, reserved in the sale to Mr. Macomb. 

If you had seasonably informed the state of your claim , they might 
have reserved lands for your use, to any extent which might have been 
judged proper, but they have now sold all the lands on that quarter, to 
Mr. Macomb, and as reservations can not be made without the consent 
of the persons who have purchased from him, we have spoken to them 
on the subject, and they have consented, that we should further offer to 
you, that a convenient tract at each place where the mills are built, and 
the meadows on both sides of the Grass river, although thay may here- 
after be discovered to be not within the tract, equal to six miles square, 
shall be reserved to the use of the St. Regis Indians. 

31 ST May, 1796. 
The deputies having declared their acceptance of the compensation, 
as proposed to them by the agents; three acts of the same tenor and 
date, one to remain with the United States, another to i-emain with 
the said Seven Nations, or tribes, and another to i-emain with the 
state, were thei-eupon this day executed, by the commisioners for the 
United States, the deputies for the Indians, the agents for the state, and 
Daniel McCormick, and William Constable, for themselves, and their 
associates, purchase under Alexander Macomb, containing a cession ; 
release, and quit-claim from the Seven Nations or tribes of Indians, of 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 145 

all lands within the state, and a covenant for the state, for the payment 
of the said compensation, and also certain reservations of land, to be 
applied to the use of the Indians of the village of St. Regis, as by the 
said acts, reference being had to either of them, more fully may appear." 

Signed, 

Abram OgdeiV. 

The following is a copy of this treaty. 

" The People of the State of New York, by the grace of God, free and 
independent. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know 
ye that we having inspected the records remaining in our Secretary's 
office, do find there filed a certain instrument in the words following, to 
wit: 

" At a treaty held in the city of New York with the nation or title of 
Indians, denominating themselves the Seven Nations of Canada, Abraham 
Ogdeu, commissioner appointed nnder the authority of the Lnited States 
to hold the treaty, Ohnaweio, alias Good Stream, Tebaragwanegen, alias 
Thos, Williams, two chiefs of the Caughnawagas, Atiatoharongwan, alias 
Colonel Louis Cook, a chief of the St. Regis Indians, and William Gray, 
deputies autliorized to represent these Seven Nations or tribes of Indians 
at the treaty, and 3Ir. Gray serving also as interpreter, Egbert Benson, 
Richard A'arick and James Watson, agents for the state of New York. 
AVm, Constable and Daniel McCormick, purchasers under Alex. Macomb. 
The agents for the state, having in the presence and with the approbation 
of the commissioners, proposed to the deputies for the Indians, the com- 
pensation hereinafter mentioned for the extinguishment of their claim to 
all lands within the states, and the said deputies being willing to accept 
•the same, it is thereupon granted, agreed and concluded between the said 
deputies and the said agents as follows: The said deputies do for, and 
in the name of the said Seven Nations or tribes of Indians, cede, release 
and quit claim to the people of the state of New York, fort ver, all the claim 
right or title of them, the said Seven Nations or tribes of Indians, to lands 
within the said state- provided nevertheless, that the tract equal to six 
miles square reserved in the sale made bj' the commissioners of the land 
office of the said state, to Alexander Macomb, to be applied to the use 
of the Indians of the village of St. Regis, shall still remain so reserved. 
The said agents do for and in the name of the people of the state of New 
York, grant to the said Seven Nations or tribes of Indians, that the peo- 
ple of the state of New York shall pay to them at the mouth of the river 
Chazy, on Lake Champlain, on the third Monday of August next, the sum 
of one thousand two hundred and thirty pounds, six shillings and eight 
pence, lawful money of the said state; and on the third Monday in Au- 
gust, yearly, forever thereafter, the like sum of two hundred and thirteen 
j)Ounds, six shillings and eight pence. Provided nevertheless, that the 
people of the state of New York shall not be held to pay the said sums, 
unless in respect to the tv>o sums to be paid on the third Monday in Au- 
gust next, at least twentj', and in respect to the said yearly sum to be paid 
thereafter, at least five of the principal men of the said Seven Nations or 
tribes of Indians, shall attend as deputies to receive and to give receipts 
for the same. The said deputies having suggested that the Indians of St. 
Regis have built a mill on Salmon river and another on Grass river and that 
the meadows on Grass river are necessarj* for hay, in order therefore to 
secure to the Indians of the said village, the use of the said mills and 
meadows, in case they should hereafter appear not to be included in the 
above tract, so as to remain reserved. 
It is therefore also agreed and conclu(Jed between the said deputies and 



146 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the said agents and the said William Constable and Daniel McCormick, 
for themselves and their associates, purchasers under the said Alexander 
Macomb, of the adjacent lands, that there shall he reserved to be applied 
to the use of the Indians of the said village of St. Regis, in like manner 
as the said tract is to remain reserved, a tract of one mile square at each 
of the said mills, and the meadows on both sides of the said Grass river, 
from the said mills thereon, to its confluence with the river St. Law- 
rence. 

In testnnony whereof, the said commissioners, the said deputies, the 
said agents, and the said William Constable and Daniel McCormick, have 
hereunto, and to two other acts of the same tenor and date, one to remain 
with the United States, another to remain with the state of New York, 
and another to remain with the Seven Nations or tribes of Indians, set 
their hands and seals in the city of New York, the thirty-first day of May, 
in the twentieth year of the Independence of the United States, one thou- 
sand seven hundred and ninety-six. Abi-aham Ogden (L. S.), Ohnaweio, 
alias Good Stream (mark L. S.), Otiatoharougwan, alias Colonel Louis 
Cook (mark L. S.), VVm. Gray (L. S.), Teharagwan .'gen, alias Thos. Wil- 
liams (mark L. S.), Egbert Benson (L. S.), Richard Varjck (L. S.), James 
Watson (L. S.), Wm. Constable (L. S.), Daniel McCormick (L. S.j. 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Samuel Jones, Recorder 
of the city of New York, John Taylor Recorder of the city of Albany, 
Jo's Ogden Hoffman, Attorney-General of the state of New York. 

May 30th, 1797. Acknowledged before John Sloss Hobart, Justice of 
Supreme Court of Judicature. 

Feb. 28, 1800. Exemplified signed and sealed by the Governor, John 
Jay." 

The above treaty is engrossed upon a large size sheet of parchment, to 
which is affixed a large waxen seal, having on one side the state arms and 
inscription, " The great seal of the state," and on the other the device of 
waves beating against a rock, and the word " Frustra," " 1798." The back 
and margins are covered with receipts. 

This and the other treaties which have been held between the St. Regis 
Indians and the state of New York, are carefully preserved by the clerk 
of the American party at St. Regis. 

The agreements made in the treaty of May 31, 1796, were confirmed 
by an act which was passed April 4, 1801. 

It had previously received the sanction of the general government, as 
appears from the following : 

On the 20th of February, 1797, the governor sent to the senate the 
following message: 

Gentlemen : 

"I have the honor of laying before you a letter of the 18th ult., from the 
Secretary of the United States, for the department of war, enclosing a 
copy of the resolution of the Senate, advising and consenting to the rati- 
fication of the treaty concluded on behalf of the state with the Indians, 
calling themselves the Seven Nations of Canada. 

John Jay." 

In the negociations between these Indians and the state, the name of 
Brant, the celebrated partisan Indian, was used in connection with pro- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 147 

eeedings, which the Mohawks liad held with the state, in the cession of 
their lands, iu such a manner as to awaken a controversy between him 
and the deputy superintendent, which ultimately became embittered by 
mutual allegations of pecuniary delinquency. The six nations had 
bargained with Colonel Livingston, in 1787, as we have previously 
stated, for a large tract of land which the Caughnawaga and St. Regis 
Indians insisted was fraudulent. 

As Brant was a witness to the treaty, and was one of the most promi- 
nent of those by whom it was made, this denial of their right amounted 
to little else than a charge that those who made it, had pocketed the 
avails for their own benefit. This charge Brant indignantly repelled, 
denying that the Caughnawagas had a right to a foot of the lands which 
had been sold to Livingston, and demanding of them their authority, for 
their charges against him, and the Grand River Indians. They replied 
that their information was derived from the representations of the officers 
of the state of New York, at Albany. To ascertain the ground there 
might be for this, he addressed a letter to Governor Clinton, which 
received the following reply. 

Greenwich, 1st December, 1799. 
Dear Sir : 

" On my I'eturn from the country, about a month ago, I was favored 
with your letter of the 4th of September. I am much gratified by the 
determination you express, of furnishing Doctor Miller with the informa- 
tion he requested of you, and I hope as the work for which it is wanted 
is pi'ogressing, you will find leisure td do it soon, I am confident he 
w^ll make a fair and honorable use of it; and, as far as he shall be en- 
abled, coiTect the erroneous representations of former authors respecting 
your nations. 

I am surprised to find that you have not received my letter the 11th of 
of January, last. It was enclosed and forwarded as requested, to Mr. 
Peter W. Yates of Albanj^ Had it reached you ; I pi-esume you will find, 
from the copy I now enclose, it would have been satisfactory ; but as a 
pai'ticular detail of what passed between the Caughnawagoes and me, 
respecting their lands may be more agreable, I will now repeat it to you 
as far as my recollection will enable me. 

In the winter of 1792-1793, our Legislature being in session in Albany, 
a committee from the Seven Nations or tribes of Lower Canada, attended 
there, with whom I had several conferences. They complained that 
some of our people had settled on their lands near Lake Champlain, and 
on the River St. Lawrence, and requested that commissioners might be 
appointed to enquire into the matter, and treat with them on the subject. 
In my answer to their speeches, I answered that it was difficult to define 
their rights and their boundaries; and that it was to be presumed that 
the Indian rights to a considerable part of the lands on the borders of 
the lake, had been extinguished by the French Government, before the 
conquest of Canada, as those lands, or a greater part of them, had been 
granted to individuals by that government before that period. In their 
reply they described their southern boundary, as commencing at a creek 
or run of water between Fort Edward and George, which empties into 
10 



148 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Soutli Bay, and from thence extending on a direct line to a large meadow 
or swamp where the Canada Creek, which empties into the Mohawk 
opposite Fort Hen(h-ick, the Black and Oswegatchee Rivers have their 
sources. Upon which I observed to them that this line would interfere 
with lands patented by the British Government previous to the Revolu- 
tion, and particularly mentioned Totten and Crossfield's purchase and 
Jessup's patent: but I mentioned at the same time that I was neither 
authorized or disposed to controvert their claims, that I would submit to 
the Legislature, who I could not doubt would pay due attention to them 
and adopt proper measures to effect a settlement with them upon fair 
and liberal terms. This I accordingly did, and some time after com- 
missioners were appointed to treat with them in the presence of an 
agent of the United States, the result of which, I find you are informed 
of. 

I believe you will readily agree that no inference could be drawn from 
any thing that passed on the above occasion to countenance the charge 
made against your nations. The mentioning and interference of their 
boundaries, as above stated, with tracts patented under the British 
Government, could certainly have no allusion to the cessions made by 
the Six Nations, or either of them to the state, especially as (if I recollect 
right) those cession are of the territory of the respective nations by 
whom they were made without defining them by any particular bounda- 
ries, and subject only to the reservations described in the deed. 

I wish it was in my power to transmit to you copies of their speeches 
and my answer at full length; but it is not for the reasons mentioned in 
my former letter, should they, however, be deemed necessary to you, I 
will endeavor to procure and forward them ; in the mean time you may 
rest assured that what I have related is the substance of them. 
I am with great regard and esteem, 

Col. Joseph Brant. Your most obedient sei^vant, 

Geo. Clinton. 

This correspondence, and that which ensued with Governor Jay, did 
not satisfy Brant, and he accordingly caused a deputation of his tribe to 
repair to Albany, at the head of which was his adopted nephew, John 
Norton, to meet a similar deputation of the Caughnawagas, face to face, 
and require his accusers connected with the government of the state of 
New York, either to substantiate their charges or acquit him in the 
presence of both delegations. 

The result of this double mission is not known, save that the chiefs 
were not satisfied with it. 

In July of the same year (1799,) Brant proceeded to the Caughnawaga 
country in person, accompanied by a body of chiefs of several of the 
tribes, for the purpose of a through investigation in general council. 
Such a council was convened ; and the difficulties from the reports of 
speeches preserved in writing by Captain Brant, were fully discussed ; 
and that too in a most amicable manner. From several intimations in 
these speeches, it appears that the whole of these difficulties had been 
caused by "chattering birds," and by the machinations against Captain 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 149 

Brant, of the old Oneida sachem, Colonel Louis.* The council fire 
was kindled on the 8th of July, on the 9th Captain Brant was satisfied by 
the explanations given, and remarked, "that he had pulled up a pine, 
and planted down beneath it the small bird that tells stories." 

On the 10th, the Caughnawaga chief replied: — " Brothers, we return 
you thanks; we also join with you to put the chattering bird under 
ground, from where the pine was taken up, there being a swift stream 
into which it will fall beneath, that will take it to the big sea, fi-om whence 
it never can return." (See Stone's Life of Brant, vol. ii, p. 410, 414.^ 

The evident partiality of the writer of the life of Brant, has perhaps 
prevented him from giving to the Canada Indians their due in discussing 
their claims to the lands in the northern part of the state. 

The St. Regis people having decided the question of the amount of 
land they were to receive, were desirous of having the boundaries known. 

To settle definitely however their rights, they addressed the following 
letter to the governor. 

To our Great Brother, John Jay, Governor of the State ofJVew York. 

Brother : 

We the chiefs and chief warriors at St Regis, have sent the Bearers, 
Louis Cook, Sag Shaketlay, Loren Tarlelon, and William Gray, our 
interpreters, to enquire of you Brother, how we are to know the distance 
of our reserve, equal to six miles square, reserved to us by a treaty held 
at the city of New York, the 30th of May, 1796, with our deputies Louis 
Cook, Ohnaweio, Good Stream, Thomas Williams, and William Gray, 
and another reserve of one mile square on Salmon Creek, twelve miles 
below St, Regis, at a saw mill belonging to us chiefs. 

Brother : 

The reason of our sending the Bearers to you, is, that some time the 
latter part of last fall, some of your children, our brothers of this state, 
was marking and running lines within what we expect is our reserved 
lands, and we know no other way, but to come and inform you that we 
might know what to do, and we beg that you will inform the Bearers 
that they, as soon as is convenient to you may return home and inform 
us what to do. 

We hope you will not let thy Bearers want for victuals and drink, 
what will be for their good, we wish you health and happiness with your 
family. From your Brothers the chiefs of St. Regis." 

Chiefs. 
For the Chiefs at Tio-na-to-gex-a, 

St. Regis, William Gray. Tha-ron-ia-he-ne, 

Ta-te-ga-ien-to N, 

To-TA-RO-WA-NE. 



* We quote the language of Stone in his Life of Brant. This author was mtstaken in 
supposing Colonel Louis an Oneida Indian. 



150 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

This petition led to the passage on the 30th of March, 1799, of the 
following act: 

" The surveyor general be, and he is hereby directed in his proper 
person, to lay out and survey, in such manner as the chiefs of the St. 
Regis Indians shall deeni satisfactory, ail the lands reserved to the said 
Indians, by the treaty held at the city of Nev'' York, and conform- 
able thereto, the twenty-third day of May, in the year one thousand 
seven hundred and ninety six; and the treasurer is hereby required to 
pay to him, out of any money in the treasury, four hundred dollars to 
defray the expense thereof, which sum the surveyor general shall ac- 
count for with the comptroller." 

The surveyor general performed this duty and reported as follows: 

"Sir: — Pursuant to the act of the legislature, directing the surveyor 
general to lay out and survey the lands reserved to the Indians residing 
at St. Regis. I have surveyed in a manner satisfactory to the chieiis of 
that tribe the tract equal to six miles square, reserved to them at their 
village; as also the two tracts of one mile square each, at the mills on 
Salmon river, and Grass river, maps descriptive of the boundaries of 
these I have the honor herewith to deliver. 

When 1 was about to commence the survey of the meadows, reserved 
to the use of these Indians on Grass river, they informed me in council 
that they considei'ed themselves entitled to a tract of half a mile on each 
side of the river^ from its mouth up to the mill, and that they had caused 
it to be run out in that manner, for their meadow reservation, and inti- 
mated a desire that my survey should be made in a corresponding man- 
ner. I was obliged to inform them that I had no guide but their treaty, 
and consequently could regard no survey made without authority, and 
that nothing but the meadows barely, along that river, was pointed out 
as their property. They then pointedly desired me to make no marks 
on that ground, observing at the same time that as a deputation from 
their nation would have to repair to Albany on other business, during 
the sitting of the legislature, they wished by that opportunity to obtain 
an explanation of what they considered to be a misapprehension between 
the parties of the treaty. 

Not being permitted to make a survey of the meadows, I availed my- 
self of the opportunity of going up and down the river, of making an 
estimate of them, with a view to report the same as an article of informa- 
tion that might be serviceable in case a compromise respecting them 
should be contemplated. 

These meadows consist of narrow strips along the margin of the river, 
where inundations have prevented the growth of timber. They lie in a 
number of patches, of from half a chain to three orfom- chains in width, 
making in the whole extent which is about six miles, not exceeding 
sixty acres altogether, as nearly as I could judge. 

The grass on them with small exceptions, is all wild grass. 

Their value, though of no very great consideration, as an appendage 
to the adjoining lands, is however esteemed as almost inestimable by 
Indians, who consider the clearing of land as a matter entirely beyond 
their power to accomplish. It will be impossible moreover, that the 
Indians should ever enclose the meadows with fences so as to prevent 
their destruction by the cattle of the white inhabitants, who soon will 
settle thick in their neighborhood, and this will inevitably become the 
cause of disagreeable differences. 

It is proper for me to observe that the ground on whicli these mead- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 151 

ows are situated, as well as the mile square, at the mill on Grass river, 
has been patented in tracts distinct from Macomb's purchase; and there- 
fore the sanction which the proprietors of that purchase gave to the 
treaty, will not exonerate the state from the duty of compensating the 
owners of the lands from which these parts of the reservation are 
taken." 

[The remainder of the report relates to other subjects.] 

Signed, 

SisiEON De Witt. 

Albany Jan. 14, 1800. 
The troubles from trespass anticipated in the abo%'e, were soon real- 
ized ; for the particulars of these the reader is referred to our account of 

Massena. 

On February 20, 1800, there was received in Assembly from the Senate, 
a resolution : " That the commissioners of the land office be directed to 
settle with the St. Regis Indians, for such tracts of huid, included in 
the lands confirmed to them by the late treaty, and before located by in- 
dividuals, and granted by this state, by making compensation for the 
lands so granted, or by satisfying the individuals owning such lands in 
such manner as they shall judge most advantageous to the state, aild the 
legislatm-e, will make provision for carrying into effect any agreement 
which may be made by the commissioners for extinguishing the claims 
of the said Indians, or of the individual proprietors aforesaid." 

This resolution was postponed by the assembly, nor is it known what 
was the final action of the legislature upon it. 

On the yth of April, 1801, a law was passed making it lawful for the 
governor to cause a treaty to be holden with the St. Regis Indians, for 
the purpose of extinguishing their right to a tract of a mile square at the 
mill on Grass river, and for that purpose to appoint an agent on the part 
of the state, and i>rocure the appointment cf a commissioner, on the 
part of she United States, to attend the holding as such treat3\ Pro- 
vided that the consideration to be paid the said Indians for the said ti'act, 
shall not exceed a permanent annuity of two hundred dollars. A sum 
not exceeding $500 was appropriated to defray the expense of holding 

this treaty. 

The surveyor general was directed to cause the meadows reserved to 

the use of the said Indians, upon Grass river, and which had been dis- 
posed of by the state, to be surveyed, and the quantity ascertained, and 
to report the same to the legislature at the next siession. 

It was further made lawful for the agent to extinguish the right of 
ferriage, belonging to the said Indians over the River St, Lawrence, ad- 
joining their reservation, for such reasonable annuity as they may deem 
propel". 

The future payments of the ainiuity stjpulated with the said Indians, 
was directed to be made at the town of Plattsburgh. in the county of 



152 ' HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Clinton. The act referred to makes a provision for the patenting by the 
state to William Gray, of two hundred and fifty-seven acres of laud, in- 
cluding the mill on Salmon river. 

The president of the United States, by a message making sundry 
nominations, and addressed to the senate, February 2, 3802, recommend- 
ed the nomination of John Taylor of New York, to be a commissioner, 
to hold a treat}' between the state of New Yoi-k, and the St. Regis 
Indians. 

He was led to this, from having received a communication from the 
governor of New York, purporting that the St. Regis Indians had pro- 
posed ceding one mile square, including the ferry, to the state of New 
York, and requesting a commissioner to be appointed on the part of the 
United States, to sanction the business, which it was proposed should be 
accomplished during the ensuing winter at Albany. 

(American State Papers, Indian Affairs, vol. i, p. 565.) 

In 18C2, agents were appointed to treat with the St. Regis Indians for 
the sale of their mile square, and meadows. The following commu- 
nication made to the Assembly by Governor Clinton, March, 15, 1802, 
contains the results of their negociations. It was first reported to the 
senate. 

Gentlemen : 

" I now submit to the Legislature, the report of the agents appointed 
to treat with the St. Regis Indians, for the extinguishment of the mile 
square, and the meadows on Grass river. I also present to you a petition 
from those Indians, praying among other things,*for legislative provisions, 
to enable them to lease a part of their lands, to establish a ferry across 
the St. Regis river, and to apply the income to the support of a school 
for the instruction of their children. It may be proper to observe, that 
as the petitioners have uniformly evinced a warm attachment, to the 
state, and have made uncommon advances towards civilization, they have 
a claim to the attention of the Legislature, ai-ising as well from princi- 
ples of policy, as benevolence. They discover an anxiety to return 
home as soon as possible, but at the same time are unwilling to leave 
this city, until the result of their application to the Legislature is known." 

Geo. Clinton. 

The report of the agents referred to, in his excellency's said message, 
and the petition of the St. Regis Indians, were also severally read, and 
together with the message, referred to the committee of thee house. ,The 
petition was as follows : 

" To our great and Honorable Brother, John Jay, Governor of the State 

of JVew York : 
Brothers : 

We, the chiefs and wan-iors of the village of St. Regis, have sent the 
bearers. Colonel Louis Cook, Jacob Francis, Peter Tarbell, as deputies, 
and William Gray as interpreter, to act and settle all business for us tha 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 153 

may concern this state, or us, the above mentioned village, or any indi- 
vidual belonging to this state. 

Firsthj, we beg you brother, to order means to have our meadows on 
Grass river, surveyed, and the number of acres contained there, to have 
as many acres cleared near our village, within the reservation made to 
us by this state, and then to have the use of the meadows on Grass river, 
till such time as those lands will be fit to mow grass on. 

Secondly, brother, we wish to inform you, that at the west end of our 
meadows, on Grass river, we have one square mile of land, likewise re- 
served to us by the state, with a saw mill in the centre of the mile 
square, for which Araable Foshee is bound to pay us the sum of two 
hundred doll-u-s per year, as long as he keeps it in his custody, and we 
are not satisfied with his usage to us. 

Thirdly, brother; there is a route that leads from Plattsburgh on Lake 
Champlain, crosses the Chateaugay river, and comes straight to the vil- 
lage of St. Regis, where there ought to be a ferry kept up for the ac- 
commodation of the public, and the use of this ferry is like to create 
quarrels and disputes: 

Now brothers in order to prevent all these disagreeable contentions, 
we wish to propose to you, for to take one hundred acres, and the privi- 
lege of the ferry, and where there may be a good potash works erected 
for those people who wish to give us two hundred and fifty dollars, as a 
yearly rent. 

Fourthly, brother, we wish to inform you, that there are nine miles be- 
tween houses, however the route runs through our reservation, and we 
mean to rent a part of our lands, in order to make it convenient for 
travelers, and as some benefit to ourselves and children, who may follow 
us, and we began to inform all our brothers who may see fit to rent the 
lands of us, that we expect they will pay their rents according to con- 
tract, as you have law and justice in your power, and we are not ac- 
quainted with our brother white people's laws. 

Fifthly, brother, there is a request from your sisters of the village of 
St. Regis, the women of families, which is, that you pity them, and send 
them a school master, to learn their children to read and write. 

Brother, your compliance to these requests will cause us ever to pray 
your Avelfare and happiness, who remain your brothers, chiefs, and their 
wives in the St. Regis." 

Te-ha-ton-wen-heon-gatha, 

Tl-E-HEN-NE. 

Te-ga-ri-a-ta-ro-gen, 

On- WA-RI-EN-TE, 

Ori-wa-ge-te, 

To-TA-TO-WA-NE, 

At-ti-ax-to-tie. 

Witness, William Gray. 

Accordingly two laws were enacted, relating to these people, at the 
ensuing session of the Legislature. The first was passed March 8, 1802. 
which provided, " that it shall and may be lawful for his Excellency the 
Governor, and the Surveyor general, to treat with the St. Regis Indians 
for the extinguishment of their claim to the mile square, and the 
meadows on Grass river, ceded to them in the year 1796, on such terms 
as they shall deem most condusive to the interests of the state, or to pur- 
chase the same from the individuals to whom it has been granted by the 
state before it was ceded to the said Indians, in case the latter purchase 
can be made on more favorable terms than the extinguishment of the 
Indian claim, 



154 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

'J'hat in case the said lands can not be purchased of the said Indians, 
or of the said patentees at a reasonable ]>rice, liis Excellency, the Gov- 
ernor, shall represent the same to the Legislature that further provisions 
may be made respecting those claims." 

The meadows were subsequently puichased of the patentees for the 
Indians: 

During the same session, an act was passed, relating to the St. Regis 
Indians, March 26, 1802, as follows. 

" Be it enacted by the people of the state of JVeiv York, in Senate and As- 
sembly, That William Gray, Louis Cook and Loren Tarbell, belonging to 
the tribe of the St. Regis Indians, be and they are hei'eby appointed 
trustees for the said tribe, for the purpose of leasing the ferry over St. 
Regis river, with one hundred acres of land adjoining, aud also one mile 
square of land on Grass river, within their reservation within this state, 
for such term of time as they shall judge proper, not exceeding ten 
years, and it shall and may be lawful for the said trustees, to apply the 
rents and profits of the said ferry and lands for a support of a school for 
the instruction of the childr3n of the said tribe, (of which the said trus- 
tees shall have the superintendence,) and for such other purposes as 
the said trustees shall judge most conducive to the interests of the said 
tribe, and the powers hereafter vested in the said trus/ees, may be exer- 
cised by them or any two of them. 

And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the said 
St. Regis Indians, on the first Tuesday of May next, and on the first 
Tuesday of May in every year thereafter, to hold a town meeting on 
their said reservation, within the state, and by a majority of male In- 
dians above, twenty-one years of age, to choose a clerk, who shall keep 
order in such meeting, and enter in a book to be provided by him for 
that purpose, the proceedings of the said meetings. 

And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lajvful for the said 
tribe, at any such meeting aforesaid, to make such rules, orders and regu- 
lations, respecting the improvement of any other of their lands in the 
said reservation, as they shall judge necessary, and to choose trustees for 
carrying the same into execution, if they shall judge such trustees to be 
necessai-y. 

And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the said 
William Gray, Louis Cook, and Loren Tarbell, to procure a bell for the 
church belonging to the said tribe, to be paid for out of their annuity. 

A7id be it further enacted. That it shall and may be lawful for the per- 
son administering the government of this state, to cause to be sent to the 
said tribe at the place where their annuity is paid, two suits of silk 
colors, one with the arms of the United States, and the arms of this 
state as a gratuity, and to draw a warrant on the treasury for the ex- 
penses of thesame." 

On the approach of the war, the situation of St. Regis, on the national 
boundary, placed these people in a peculiar and delicate position. Up 
to this period, although residing in both governments, they had been as 
one, and in their internal afiiiirs, were governed by twelve chiefs, who 
were elected by the tribe, aud held their offices for life. 

The annuities and presents of both governments were equally divided 
among them, and in the cultivation of their lands, and the division of 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 155 

the rents and profits arising from leases, they knew no distinction of 
party. 

The war operated with peculiar severity against them, from the teri-or 
of Indian massacre, which the recollections and traditions of former 
wars, had generally inspired the inhabitants. 

So great was the terror which these poor people excited, that they 
could not travel, even where acquainted, without procuring a pass, 
■which they vi^ere accustomed to obtain from any of the principal inhabit- 
ants, whose names were publicly known. A paper, stating that the 
bearer was a quiet and peaceable Indian, with or without a signature, 
they were accustomed to solicit, and this they would hold up in sight, 
when still at a distance, that those who might meet them should not be 
alarmed. They were likewise accustomed to require persons traveling 
across their reservation, to have, if strangers, a pass, purporting the 
peaceable nature of their business. The chiefs, it is said, appointed 
certain persons to grant these passes, among whom was Cap- 
tain Policy, of Massena Springs. As few of them could read 
it became necessary to agree upon some emblem by whicli 
the signification could be known, and the following device 
was adopted: If a person were going through to French 
Mills, a bow was drawn on the paper, but if its bearer was 
designing to visit St. Regis village, an arrow was added thus. 

Thus cut off from their usual means of subsistence, they 
were reduced to a wretched extremity, to obtain relief from which, Col. 
Louis repaired to Ogdensburgh, and sent the following letter to Gov, 
Tompkins: 

" I address you these Hues, for the purpose of expressing the situation 
of my nation, and of giving you assurances of our constantly chei'ishing 
good Avill and friendship towards the United States, and of our deter- 
mination not to intermeddle with the war which has broken out between 
them and the English, and which has placed us in so critical a situation. 
Our young men being prevented from hunting, and obtaining a subsist- 
ence for their families, are in want of provisions, and I address myself 
in their behalf to the justice and liberality of the governor of this state, 
to obtain a supply of beef, pork and flour, to be delivered to us at St. 
Regis, during the time that we are compelled to give up our accustomed 
pursuits, which it seems, if continued, would give alarm to our white 
brethren. I have come myself to this place, to communicate the dis- 
tressed situation of our nation to Cul. Benedict, who has promised to 
submit the same to you, and in hopes of soon receiving a favorable an- 
swer to my request, I subscribe myself with much attachment, your 
affectionate brother and friend." 

his 
(Signed,) Louis X Cook, 

mark. 

One of the chiefs of the nation of the St. Regis Indians, and a Lt. Col. in 
the service of the United States of America. 




156 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In consequence of the foregoing letter, orders were issued that the St. 
Regis Indians should be supplied with rations during the war at Frencli 
Mills. They accordingly received during the war, about 500 rations 
daily, at the hands of Wareham Hastings, the agent for the government. 

The Indians, while drawing their rations, begged some for their priest, 
from the best of motives, which the latter received as a kindness from 
them ; but this circumstance gave him more trouble than it conferred 
benefit, for it was with the greatest difficulty, that he was able to justify 
or explain this course, with the British and ecclesiastical authorities. 
He narrowly escaped imprisonment on suspicion of receiving bribes 
from the American government. It will be remembered that the priest's 
house is on the Canadian side of the boundary. 

In 1812, it was agreed between a British and an American commis- 
sioner, that the natives should remain neutral in the approaching contest. 

It is said that in the month of June, Isaac Le Clare, a Frenchman, 
then and still living at St. Regis, being down at Montreal with a raft of 
wood, was met by an uncle, who suggested an interview with the 
governor, which resulted in his receiving a lieutenant's commission, on 
the recommendation of Col. De Salaberry. 

Before his return, the British company stationed at St. Regis, was 
captured as below stated, and Lieut. Le Clare succeeded to the pay, but 
not to the rank, of captain, in place of Montigney. He raised a company 
of about 80 Indian warriors, and crossed to Cornwall. These Indians 
participated in several engagements during the ensuing war. At the 
taking of Little York, they were posted at Kingston. At the attack upon 
Sackett's Harbor, twenty British St. Regis Indians were present under 
Lieut. St. Germain ; and at Ogdensburgh, in Feb., 1813, about thirty of 
the same, under Capt. Le Clare, crossed to the town. At the battle of 
Chrysler's field, they were at Cornwall, and prevented by Col. McLean, 
of the British army, from engaging in the battle. 

Chevalier Lorimier, an agent of the British government, in 1813, came 
up from Montreal with the customary presents to the Indians, and offered 
them, on condition of their crossing the river and taking up arms against 
the Americans. They would not do this, and he returned with his pre- 
sents. This was after Capt. Le Clare had raised his company, or about 
the time. 

During the fall of 1812, Capt. Montigney, with a small company of 
British troops, in violation to the previous agreement, arrived, and took 
post at St. Regis. Maj. Guilford Dudley Young, of the Troy militia, 
stationed at French Mills, receiving an account of this, resolved to sur- 
prise, and if possible capture this party; considering himself justified in 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES- 157 

entering upon neutral ground, as the enemy had first broken their agree- 
ment. He accordingly, about the 1st of October, 1812, proceeded quietly 
through the woods by an obscure path, guided by Wm. Gray, the Indian 
interpreter; but on arriving opposite the village of St. Regis, he found 
it impossible to cross, and was compelled to return. 

Having allowed the alarm which his attempt had excited to subside, 
he resolved to make another descent, before the enemy should be re- 
inforced, and for this purpose he marched a detachment at 11 o'clock at 
night, on the 21st of October, crossed the St. Regis river at Gray's Mills, 
(now Hogansburgh,) on a raft of boards, and arrived about 5 o'clock in 
the morning, within half a mile of the village, without attracting the 
notice of the enemy. Here the Major made such a judicious disposition 
of his men, that the enemy were entirely surrounded, and after a few 
discharges surrendered themselves prisoners, with the loss of five killed, 
among whom was Captain Rothalte. The fruits of this capture were 
forty prisoners, with their arms and equipments, and one stand of colors, 
two bateaux, &c. They returned to French Mills by 11 o'clock the next 
morning, without the loss of a man, and the prisoners were sent forward 
to Plattsburgh. Ex-Governor Wm. L. Marcy held a subordinate ofiice 
in this affair. 

This was the first stand of colors taken by the Americans during the 
war, and these wei*e received at Albany with great ceremony. An account 
of the reception of the colors is taken from the Albany Gazette of Jan. 
1813. 

" On Thursday the 5th inst., at one o'clock, a detachment of the volun- 
teer militia of Troy, entered this city, with the British colors, taken at 
St. Regis. The detachment, with two superb eagles in the centre, and 
the British colors in the rear, paraded to the music of Yankee Doodle and 
York Fusileers, through Market and State streets to the Capitol, the offi- 
cers and colors in the centre. The remainder of the vestibule and the 
grand staircase leading to the hall of justice, and the galleries of the 
senate and assembly chambers were crowded with spectators. His ex- 
cellency, the Governor, from illness being absent, his aids. Cols. Lamb and 
Lush, advanced from the council chamber to receive the standards. Upon 
which Major Young, in a truly military and gallant style, and with an ap- 
propriate address, presented it to the people of New York; to which Col, 
Lush, on the part of the state, replied in a highly complimentary speech, 
and the standard was deposited in the council room, amid the loud huzzas 
of the citizens and military salutes. Subsequently to this achievement 
Maj. Young was appointed a Colonel in the U. S. army." 

This ofiicer was a native of Lebanon, Ct, 

" After the war, he entered the patriot service under Gen. Mina, and 
lost his life in the struggle for Mexican independence, in 1817. The pa- 
triots, 269 in number, had possession of a small fort which was invested 
by a royalist force of 3,500 men. The supplies of provisions and water 
being cut off, the sufferings of the garrison and women and children in 



158 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the fort became intolerable; many of the soldiers deserted, so that not 
more tlian ]50 effective men remained. Col. Younf;-, however, knowing 
the perfidy ot'tlie enemy, determined to defend tlie Ibrt to the last. After 
having bravely defeated the enemy in a number of endeavors to carry the 
fort by storm. Col. Younfj was killed by a cannon shot from the battery 
raised against the fort. On the enemy's last retreat, the Colonel, anxious 
to observe all tlieir movements, fearlessly exposed his person by stepping 
on a large stone on the ramparts; and while conversing with Dr. Hennes- 
say on liie successes of the day and on the dastardly conduct of the en- 
emy, the last shot that was tired from their battery, carried off his head. 
Col. Young was an officer whom next to Mina, the American part of the 
division had been accustomed to respect and admire. In every action he 
had been conspicuous for his daring courage and skill. Mina reposed 
unbounded confidence in him. In the hour of danger he was collected, 
gave his orders with precision, and sword in hand, was always in the 
hottest of the combat. Honor and firmness marked all his actions. He 
was generous in the extreme, and endured privations with a cheerfulness 
superior to that of any other officer of the division. He has been in the 
U. S. service as Lieut. Col. of the 29th regiment of infantry. His body 
was interred by the few Americans who could be spared from duty, with 
every possible mark of honor and respect, and the general gloom which 
})ervaded the division on this occasion, was the sincerest tribute that could 
be offered by thetn to the memory of their brave chief." 

(See Barber's Hist. Coll. and Antiquities of Ct.) 

In the affair at St. Regis, the catholic priest was made pi'isoner, and 
this surprisal and attack soon after led to a retaliatory visit from the 
enemy, who captured the company of militia under Capt. Tilden, stationed 
at French Mills, a short time after. Those who were taken in this affair 
were mostly the identical troops who had been the aggressors at St. Regis, 
and for these they were subsequently exchanged. 

During the war, considerable quantities of pork, flour and cattle, from 
the state of New York, it is said, were brought by night to St. Regis, and 
secretly conveyed across the river for the subsistence of the British army. 
These supplies were purchased by emmisaries under a variety of pretexts, 
and by offering the highest jDrices. 

An Indian of the British party at St. Regis, was lately living, who was 
employed as a secret messenger to carry intelligence, and was very suc- 
cessful in avoiding suspicions and in accomplishing his errands. 

It is a well known fact that there were American citizens who secretly 
countenanced these movements, and who openly denounced the war and 
its abettors; who hailed a British victory as a national blessing, and who 
mourned over the success of the American arms, with a pathos that 
proved their sincerity. 

Impartial truth would require their names to be held up to the exe- 
cration of honest men, through all coming time, but charity bids us pass 
them unnoticed, that they may perish with their memories. 

By virtue of powers supposed to be vested in them by the law of ]8 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 159 

the trustees of these Indians had leased considerable tracts of the reser- 
vation in the vicinity of Sahnon river, which had thus become settled and 
cleared up: but this measure was found to produce jars and discords^ 
which led to the passage of a general enactment, passed June 19, 1812: 

" That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons other than Indians, 
to settle or reside upon any lands belonging to any nation or tribe of In- 
dians within this state; and if any person shall settle or reside upon any 
such lands, contrary to this act, he or she shall be deemed guilty ot a mis- 
demeanor, and shall on conviction, be punished by fine not less than 
twenty-five dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned^ 
not less than one month, nor more than six months, in the discretion ot 
the court having cognizance thereof; and it shall be the duty of the courts 
of over and temiiner, and general sessions of the peace in the several 
comities of this state, in which any part of said lauds are or may be sit- 
uated, to charge the grand juries of their respective counties, specially to 
indict all offenders against the provisions of this section." 

Meanwhile many persons had in good faith expended considerable 

sums in improvements, which it was desirable should be secured to them 

by a more reliable tenure than Indian leases, which led in 1816, to the 

passage of a law : 

" That in case the St. Regis Indians maybe desirous of selling the rniH 
square of land reserved by "them, at or near the village of French Mills, 
in the town of Constable.'in the county of Franklin, or any other lauds 
lying within this state, to which the St. Regis Indians have any title or 
claim, the person administering the government of the state shall be and 
is hereby authorized to purchase the said lands from the said Indians, m 
behalf of this state, and that the treasurer be aud is hereby authorized on 
the warrant of the comptroller, to pay to the order of the governor such 
sum of money to defray the expense' of completing the said purchase as 
the goveruor may think reasonable to give for the said lands." 

The following treaty was accordingly held March 15, 1816: 
" A treatv made and executed between Daniel D. Tompkins, govern- 
or of the state of Xew York, in behalf of the people of the said state, of 
the one part, and Peter Tarbell, Jacob Francis and Thomas Williams, 
for and in behalf of the nation or tribe of Indians, known and called the 
St. Reels Indians, of the second part (at the city of Albany, this fifteenth 
day of"3Iarch, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 
sixteen), witnesseth. 

Article 1. The said tribe or nation of St. Regis Indians do hereby sell 
and convey to the people of the state of New York, for the consideration 
hereinafter mentioned, a certain piece or parcel of tiieir reservation, 
called the one mile square, situated in the county of Franklin, on Sal- 
mon river, to have and to hold the same, to the said people of the state 
of New York, and their assigns for ever, aud also a separate and addi- 
tional tract of land, of their said reservation, situate in the county afore- 
said, containing five thousand acres of the easterly part of their said 
reservation, adjoining their aforesaid mile square of land, within the 
territorial limits of tlie state of New York, to be measured from the east 
boundary line of said reservation, so as to make the said west boundary 
line of said five thousand acres to run due north and south ; to have and 



160 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

to hold the said five thousand acres of land, to the said people of the 
state of New York, and their assigns for ever. 

Article 2. The said Daniel D. Tompkins, governor, as aforesaid, for 
and in behalf of the people of the state of New York, covenants and 
agrees, with the St. Regis nation of Indians, that the said people, for the 
said several tracts of one mile square of land, and of five thousand acres 
of land hereinbefore granted and conveyed, shall pay to the said nation 
annually for ever hereafter, the sum of one thousand three hundred dol- 
lars, at French Mills, on said premises, the first payment of the said 
annuity to be paid on the first Tuesday of August next, and the whole 
annuity to be paid on the first Tuesday of August, in each year there- 
after. 

Article 3. The said St. Regis tribe or nation of Indians also covenant 
and agree to depute and authorize three of the chiefs or principal men 
of their tribe to attend at the times and places aforesaid, to receive the 
said annuity. And that the receipt of the said chiefs or principal men, 
so deputed, shall be considered a full and satisfactory discharge of the 
people of the state of New York, from the annuities which may be so 
received." 

Signed, sealed, witnessed, acknowledged and recorded. 

In consequence of the great distress among the St. Regis and other 
Indian tribes of the state, from the short crops in the cold summer of 
1816, the legislature, at the recommendation of the governor, by an act 
passed February 12, 1817, authorized the payment of annuities to be 
anticipated for that year, for the purchase of the necessaries of life. 

The concessions of the last treaty being found not to cover the terri- 
tory that had been leased, another treaty was held on the 20th of Febru- 
ary, 1818, as follows: 

" At a treaty held at the city of Albany, the 20th day of February, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, between 
his excellency Dewitt Clinton, governor of the state of New York, on 
behalf of the people of the said state, and Loran Tarbell, Peter Tarbell, 
Jacob Francis and Thomas Williams, on behalf of the nation or tribe of 
Indians, known and called the St. Regis Indians, it is covenanted, 
agreed and concluded as follows, to wit: 

The said St. Regis Indians sell and convey to the people of the state 
of New York, two thousand acres out of the lauds reserved by the said 
Indians, to be bounded as follows, to wit: On the north and south by 
the noith and south bounds of said reservation; on the east by the lands 
ceded by said Indians to the people of the said state, by a treaty dated 
16th March, 1816, and on the west by a line running parallel thei'eto, 
and at such a distance therefrom as to contain the said two thousand 
acres; also, four rods wide of land through the whole length of their 
reservation, for a public road, to the west bounds thereof, together with 
four rods wide of land, for the same purpose, commencing at the bound- 
ary line near the village of St. Regis, to run in a direction so as to inter- 
sect the aforementioned road a little westerly of the place where it shall 
cross the St. Regis river, which will be about one mile and three-quarters 
in length. On condition that both the said roads be laid out by Michael 
Hogan, with the assistance of Loran Tarbell, and such other person as 
his excellency, the governor of the said state, shall appoint; and further, 
that in case a turnpike gate, or gates, shall be established on said road, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. - 161 

all the Indians of the said tribe shall be allowed to pass free of toll, and 
on the fiu-ther condition that those on the lands they have now and 
heretofore sold, shall be compelled before the state gives them or any 
other person title thereto, to pay up the arrearages of rent due on the 
lands occujjied by the said settlers. 

In consideration of which cession or grant, it is hereby covenanted, on 
the part of the said people, to pay to the said Indians, annually, for ever 
hereafter, on the first Tuesday of August, at Plattsburgh, an annuity of 
two hundred dollars. And it is further covenanted by and between the 
said parties, that the annuities payable to the said Indians, in consequence 
of the former treaties between them and the said state, shall herealter 
be paid them on the said first Tuesday of August, at Plattsburgh, instead 
of the places where they are made payable by such treaties. In testi- 
mony whereof, the said governoi-, on the part of the people of the said 
state, and the said Loran Tarbell, Peter Tarbell, Jacob Francis, and 
Thomas Williams have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and 
year first above mentioned." 

Signed, sealed, acknowledged and recorded. 

The lands ceded by the treaty of 1818 were by an act of April 20th, 
of that year directed to be laid out into lots and farms and sold. 

The report of the commissioners appointed by the governor to per- 
form this duty, will be given in our account of Fort Covington. 

The commissionei's were to receive $4 per day for their semces. 

The following memorial explains itself, and indicates the necessity of 
the course which was subsequently to be pursued. 

Albany 16, February, 1818. 
"To his Excellency, Governor Clinton, of the state of JVew York: 

The chiefs of the St. Regis Indians, by their petition, most respect- 
fully approach your excellency, to shew, that in March 1802, a law was 
passed for the benefit of our tribe, appointing the trustees, namely : 
William Gray, Louis Cook, and Loren Tarbell, to manage and impi-ove 
their affairs. From that period until the late war, they continued happy 
amongst themselves, but the war having produced a feeling of opposite 
interests in the tribe, they became divided almost equally in number, of 
young men, having your old chiefs, with their adherents steady in the 
cause and interests of the United States. In course of the war, their 
trustee, William Gray, was taken prisoner at St. Regis, and carried to 
Quebec, where he died a prisoner of war. Their other trustee. Colonel 
Louis Cook, after being actively engaged with General Brown, near 
Buffalo, died at that place. Since his death, your excellency's pejitioner, 
Loren Tarbell, the surviving trustee, taking to his private council Peter 
Tarbell, and Jacob Francis, old chiefs, in whom the tribe have full faith, 
has continued to act as for the whole, and has the satisfaction of assuring 
your excellency, that the trust reposed in him, has been discharged con- 
scientiously, and with full regard to justice. 

Now your excellency's petitioner, growing old, and desirous to be re- 
lieved in part from the I'esponsibility which he has felt in the discharge 
of his duties, humbly prays your excellency to get a law passed, appoint- 
ing the above mentioned Peter Tarbell and Jacob Francis, to his aid, to 
fill the vacancies occasioned by the death of the former trustees, and 
confirming the acts of your petitioner done in conjunction with the lat- 
ter, since the death of the former trustees. 



162 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

And your petitioner will as in duty l)ounil ever pray &c." 

LoREN Tarbell, (signed by his mark.) 
William L. Gray, Interpreter. 

In consequence of the foregoing petition and memorial, an act was 
passed on the .3d of April, 1818, appointing Peter Tarbell and Jacob 
Francis, chiefs of the said tribe, to be trustees in place of Colonel 
Louis and William Gray, deceased, and to act with the surviving trustee 
Loren Tarbell. 

Much difficulty arose between the Indians and their former tenants, in 
relation to their arrearges of rent, concerning which they memorialized 
the legislature, and on the 10th of March 1824, procured an act directing 
the Comptroller, to draw his warrant on the treasury, for the payment 
of any sum not exceeding f 735.07 in favor of Asa Hascall, district at- 
torney, for the county of Franklin, upon his certificate or certificates of 
the amount of rents due to the said St. Regis Indians, from settlers on 
certain lands ceded to them, by the people of this state, by treaty dated 
Feb 29, 1818, and it was made the duty of the said district attorney, on 
receiving the said money, to i)ay it over to the Indians as a full satisfac- 
tion and discharge of their claims. 

On the 10th of April) 1824, the foregoing act was extended to include 
the lands ceded March 15, 1816. 

The mill on Grass river, and one mile square reservation, continued 
to be the propei-ty of these people, until March 16, 1824, when at a 
treaty held at Albany between Joseph C. Yates, Governor, and Thomaa 
Williams, Michael Cook, Lewis Doublehouse and Peter Tarbell, at which 
they sold and conveyed for the sum of $1,920, this property. 

The following is a copy of the power of attorney, under which the 
deputies of the foregoing treaty acted: 

" Know all men by thsse presents, that we, the undersigned, chief 
warriors of the tribe called St. Regis Indians, constitute and appoint 
Thomas Williams, Lewis Doublehouse, and Peter Tarbell, as our true 
and lawful attornies, to go to Albany, and sell such a quantity of our 
lands, to the people of this state, ns they may think proper, and to 
transact all other business which shall be thought best for the welfare of 
our nation, and whatsoever our attornies shall lawfully_^act or do, we will 
ratify and confirm. Done at St. Regis in general council, this eighth 
day of March 1821." 

Eleazer Skarestogowa, Charles Sagaha>vita, 

Peter Trewesti, Ignace Gareweas, 

Loran Cook, Joseph Bern, 

Charles Williams, Evrer Gagagen, 

Thomas Turble, Baptiste Satchweies, 
Lewey Sabonrani. 

(signed mostly by their marks.) 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES 163 

The appointment made by the legislature in 1818 of trustees to till the 
vacancy made by the death of Cook and Gray, appears to have been 
unsatisfactory to the tribe, as is seen from the following petition that was 
signed by the same parties as those who furnished the credentials of the 
deputies at the previous treaty. 

"To the honorable the Legislature of the state of New York, in senate 
and assembly convened. 

We the undersigned, chiefs and warriors of the St. Regis tribe of In- 
dians, humbly represent to your honorable body, that our old chiefs that 
were appointed as trustees are all dead, except one, who is old and una- 
ble to transact public business. We therefore earnestly pray that yoiir 
honorable body, will appoint Thomas Williams, Mitchel Cook, Lewis 
Doubiehouse, and Peter Tarbell, as trustees to oversee and control the 
affairs of the St. Regis Indians. 

Done in general council at St. Regis, this ninth day of 3Iarch, 1824. 

The following memorial was also prepared to be forwarded to the 
legislature : 

" At a public council or town meeting, of the chiefs, head men, and 
-warriors, of that part of the St. Regis nation, or tribe of Indians, which 
claim the protection and countenance of the state of New York, and 
which receive annuities from, and held lands under the authority of 
the said stale ; assembled on this 31st day of May, 1S24, on their reser- 
vation lands, in the said state, it is unanimously resolved, that in order 
to put an end to all quarrels for power, we will not henceforth encour- 
age any other individuals to be chiefs, or trustees, except Thomas Wil- 
liams, 'Mitchel Cook, Lewis Doubiehouse, Peter Tarbell, and Charles 
Cook; and we do hereby fully authorize, and empower them to transact 
for, and on behalf of our said trii)e of American St. Regis Indians, ajl 
manner of business which they may deem for the general good. 

We authorize them, especially, to receive all annuities, payable to us 
by virtue of any bargains or treaties, made, or to be made, by the state of 
New York, or of individuals under the sanction of law, and others, and 
to distribute all money or property, as received amongst the said tribe of 
American St. Regis Indians, according to our claims. We also author- 
ize and require them, to execute to the governor of the said state, or 
other proper authority, all necessaiy grants, conveyances, releases, or re- 
ceipts, which may be required, in consequence of any bargain or treaty 
heretofore made, or hereafter in their discretion to be made on our be- 
half, and for our benefit, with the governor of the said state. 

We do further authorize and require them, to endeavor to make such 
a bargain with the governor, as that all the moneys which we are now, 
or shall be entitled unto, shall in future be paid on our reservation lands, 
to our said chiefs, and trustees, and not elsewhere. We also author- 
ize them to make such arrangements with the governor, that some indi- 
vidual in whom the governor, as well as our said chiefs, can place confi- 
dence, may hereafter be considered the only proper channel of mutual 
communication between the governor and our said chiefs, on behalf of our 
said tribe, excepting all occasions in which our said chiefs may be at 
Albany. We fully approve all that was done by our deputies, and chiefs, 
Thomas Williams, Michael Cook, Louis Doubiehouse, and Peter Tarbell, 
in the bargain or treaty made at Albany, on the 16th March last. We 
earnestly request that the governor will bear in mind, these resolutions 

n 



164 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of the Ameiicnn St. Regis Indians, and that our minds may be known, 
Ave have eacli of ns cansed onr several names and seals to be affixed to tliis 
paper, and another like it , and ordered one copy to he delivered to the 
governor, and one to be kept by onr said chieis." 

[Signed by about sixty Indians.] 

Copied from the duplicate at St. Regis. 

As a further evidence of authenticity, the foregoing was accompanied 
by a declaration of allegiance, a copy of which is here given : 

'' Know all whom it may concern, that we, whose names are hereto 
annexed, do solemnly declare ourselves, to belonffto the American Tribe 
of St. Regis Indians", that we owe no fealty to the British governnient, 
nor receive any aniuiities or benefits from the same ; that we were friendly 
to the United States during the late war, and have continued to be so 
since, and that it is our fixed determination, to establish and continue our 
residence within the limits of the said United States, the protection and 
countenance, and especially of the state of New York, we hereby claim 
for said ti-ibe. In witness of all which we have hereto caused our names 
and seals to be affixed this 31st day of May, in the year 1824, within our 
reservation lands, in the state of New York, done in duplicate one copy 
to be kept by our chiefs, and one copy to be delivered to the governor of 
the state of New York." 

[Signed by about sixty Indians.] 

The author has been unable to ascertain whataction, if any,was taken 
on this subject by the legislature, further than in a treaty, held on the 
29th of June, 1824, between Governor Yates, and Thomas Williams, 
Mitchel Cook, Louis Doublehouse, Peter Tarbell, and Charles Cook, the 
latter are recognized as trustees. 

. By this treaty, they ceded in consideration of $1,750 down, and an 
annuity of $60, payable on the 1st Tuesday in August, at the village of 
Plattsburgh, to the said chiefs and trustees, a tract of 1000 acres of land 
bounded as follows: 

"On the northeast, by a line commencing on the easterly side of St. 
Regis river, at the termination of the roll way, so called, about four or 
five chains northerly from the mast road, and running thence southeast 
to the south bounds of the said reserved lands; on the south by the said 
south bounds; on the northwest by the said St. Regis river, and the land 
leased by the said Indians, to Michael Hogan, and on the southwest by a 
line to be run southeast, from the said St. Regis river, to the south 
bounds of said reserved lands." 

On the 14th of December, 1824, the same Indians, who are styled, 

" Principal Chiefs and head men," confirmed to the people of the state 

of New York, for a payment of $1, and an annuity of $305, a certain 

tract of land which their predecessors had " in two certain indentures of 
lease, or instruments in writing, under seal, bearing date respectively, on 
the 20th and 23d days of October, in the year of our Lord 1817, and 
made and executed by and between their predecessors in office, and 
Michael Hngan, and subsequently confirmed by an act of the legislature." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 165 

On the 20th of April, 1825, the legislature confirmed this cession by 
an act, the preamble and body of which set forth the causes that led to 
the measui-e. 

" Whereas the Indians of the St. Regis tribe did, by two certain inden 
tures of lease bearing date the 20th of October, and the 23d of October 
respectively, in the year 1817, (which leases were sanctioned and con- 
firmed by the Legislature of this state,) convey certain premises therein 
described in consideration of a certain annuity or rent annually to be 
paid for a term of years, with the condition for the renewal of the said 
leases as often as the same might expire, and upon the same terms: And 
whereas, by the subdivision of said pretnises among a number of occu- 
pants, or by the removal of the said Indians from their present posses- 
sions, they may experience difficulty and loss in collecting and receiving 
the rents, reserved and annually due, by virtue of the conveyances afore- 
said; Therefore, 

Be it enacted by the People of the State of JVew York, That it shall and 
may be lawful for the grantee, in the said conveyances named, or his 
assigns, to convey the premises therein described to the people of this 
state; and whenever the said grantee or his assigns shall have paid or 
secured to be paid into the treasury of the state a sum equal to the prin- 
cipal of the anntiity yearly payable to the said Indians by virtue of the 
couveyajices aforesaid, at the rate of six per cent, per annum, it shall be 
the duty of the commissioners of the land office, to reconvey by letters 
patent to the said grantee or his assigns so paying or securing the pay- 
ment of the sum above mentioned, and forever thereafler the annuity 
reserved in the conveyances aforesaid, shall annually be paid to the said 
Indians, in like manner as their other annuities from the state are now 
payable." 

A ti-eaty was held Sept. 23, 1825, between Governor De Witt Clinton 
and Thomas Williams, Mitchel Cook, Louis Doublehouse, Peter Tar- 
bell, Charles Cook, Thomas Tarbell, Mitchel Tarbell, Louis Tarbell, 
Battice Tarbell, Jarvis Williams and William L. Gray, by which the lat- 
ter as chiefs and trustees for the tribe, sold a tract of land, of 840 acres, 
on the east side of the St. Regis river, which is now the site of a part of 
the village of Hogansburgh. For this they received $1100 down, in full 
of all demands. 

This tract was bounded as follows: 

" Beginning on the easterly side of the St. Regis river, at the most 
westerly corner of the lands ceded by said Indians to the people of said 
state, on the 12th day of June, in the year 1824, and running thence 
along the last mention lands, S. 45° E., to the south bounds of the said 
reserved lands; then along the same, westerly to the said St. Regis river, 
and then along the same to the place of beginning." 

The foregoing are believed to be all the negotiations that have taken 
place between these people and the state in relation to their lands. 
There remains to be mentioned some notices on the personal history and 
present condition and habits of these Indians. 



166 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In 182G, a young Freiicliman,by the name of Fovcl, who liad been for 
some tuTie at Montreal, visited St. Regis, and induced one Joseph Tora- 
karon, (sometimes known by liis Englisli name of Tarbell,) to consent to 
accompany him to Europe. Torakaron was to travel in the character of 
an Indian chief, (which office he then held at St. Regis,) and his com- 
panion in that of interpreter, solicitor, treasurer and agent. Tlie motives 
held out to the chief were, that they should be able to obtain donations 
lor the endowment of their church, and doubtless large sums as presents 
to themselves. Having made all necessary arrangements, and being fur- 
nished with letters from St. Regis, Montreal and Quebec, certifying the 
standing of Torakaron at home, the two proceeded byway of New York 
and Havre, to Paris. The conductor here obtained an interview Avith 
Charles X, and so favorable an impression was made upon the mind of 
the king, that he presented them with three fine paintings, and a large 
sum in money, and other valuable articles. 

Thence they proceeded by way of Marseilles, to Rome, and obtained 
an interview with the pope. 

During a conversation, the pope asked the Indian if he could con- 
verse in another language than his own, and finding him able to use the 
English and French to some degree, he invited him to a second interview 
alone. The result was, that a set of books and silver plate, for the ser- 
vice of the church, a rosary of jewels and gold, worth it is said $1400, 
and other articles of value, were given him. They thence returned to 
Marseilles, where they spent the winter, and in 1828 returned by way of 
Paris and Havre to New York. Here the treasurer, or interpreter, or 
whatever else he might be called, evinced his true character by abscond- 
ing with every article of value, except the rosary and paintings, leaving 
Torakaron without means even to return home. He was enabled to do 
so through the charity of friends, and the paintings were soon after 
deposited in their destined place. Two are now at St. Regis, and the 
third at the church in Caughnawaga. Of the former, those who visit 
the church will recognise in a painting over the altar, the portrait of St. 
Regis, and in the one to the left, near the pulpit, that of St. Francois 
Xavier. 

They are both evidently by the same hand, of the size of life, and very 
well executed. The third is the portrait of St. Louis, and is in the 
church dedicated to that saint in the Indian village near Montreal. 

St. Regis is represented in the attitude of preaching; St. Francois as 
reclining on a bank, with a book before him and pointing to a cross, and 
St. Louis as a king, in royal robes, bowed in the attitude of the deepest 
humility, in prayer. 

Fovel subsequently visited the Iroquois settlements of New York, as a 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 167 

priest, and occasioned much trouble, which rendered it necessary for 
Bishop Dubois to visit those places. 

He afterwards went to Detroit, and appeared as a priest among the 
French at that city. 

In the spring of 1829, the susall pox appeared at the village of St, 
ilegis, and swept off great numbers. All tlie tribe were then vaccinated, 
by direction of the British government. 

In 1832, the Asiatic cholera broke out at this place, on the 20th of 
June, at first appearing in a mild form, for which the priest prescribed suc- 
cessfully for a short time, by administering large doses of laudanum and 
hot brandy. Of the first sixty cases thus dealt with, there are said to 
have been but two that were fatal. 

Dr. McAuley, of Cornwall, was sent over by government, to attend 
the sick, and Dr. Bates, of Fort Covingtou, was also employed. The 
latter has remarked, that two in fifteen of those remaining in the village, 
died of this pestilence, and that when the east wind blowed, there were 
sure to be new cases. In one instance, a family of eleven were attacked, 
and but one survived. About 340 persons had the disease, some two 
or three times, making in all perhaps 500 cases. Friends became 
frightened, and fled away, leaving the sick, in some instances, to die 
unattended, and all mourning for the dead ceased. 

This alarming pestilence was attende d by the typhus fever, but it 
was observed that the two diseases did not attack the same persons, 
although they raged with equal severity. The cholera raged but eleven 
days, in which time 78 died, and the number of those who died in the 
year 1832, of this and other diseases, was 134. 

As a natural consequence, this fearful visitation caused the greatest 
terror throughout the whole country, and exaggerated reports of its 
ravages at St. Regis spread rapidly to the neighboring villages, and led 
to the issuing of an order fi-om the brigadier general of militia in the 
county, to the subordinate officers under his command, to take measures 
for preventing all intercourse with the infected village. Several persons 
volunteered to guard the road leading to Hogausburgh, and this vigilance 
was maintained about a week. It appeared to be unnecessary, because 
the epidemic limited itself to the vicinity of the river, and the village of 
Hogansburgh, two miles distant, was but very slightly affected. 

In 1849, the cholera again appeared, taking oflT 29, and in the same 
year, the small pox broke out, with 500 cases, of wh.ich 30 were fatal. 
Bergen, of Cornwall, was employed by the British government on this 
occasion. 

In 1850, the typhus raged the whole summer. 

A remark was made by the Rev. Mr. Blarcoux, which is worthy of the 



168 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

attention of the medical prol'ession, tijat the cholera and the typhus 
were associated in both cases, although they did not attack the same 
persons; and that they admitted and required alike a sustaining and 
stimulating course of treatment. 

The filthy and negligent habits of these people appear to have rendered 
them fit subjects for any pestilence that might chance to make its appear- 
ance ; and the observation so often made has been here confirmed, that 
rigid cleanliness and suitable regard for neatness, are the best preventives 
of contagion, and more etiicient than cordons of troops, or quarantuie 
regulations. 

The annuities of the St. Regis Indians continued to be paid at Platts- 
burgh, until 1832, when, by a law passed April 24, the place of payment 
was transferred to the town of Fort Covington. 

By this act the comptroller was directed to appoint an agent, who was 
to receive a sum not exceeding two percentum on all such disburse- 
ments. 

He was directed to pay each of the heads of families under the direc- 
tion of the trustees of the tribe, their equal shares of the annuities, taking 
the necessary receipts from the legal trustees of said tribes, for the an- 
nuities received. 

As the village of St. Regis was then in the town of Fort Covington, 
these annuities have since been generally paid at that place. 

The agents appointed by the comptroller, to pay these annuities, since 
this ofiice was created, in 1832, have been, James B. Spencer, Amherst 
K. Williams, John S. Eldridge, Phineas Attwater, Wm. A. Wheeler, 
J. J. Seaver, and James C. Spencer. 

During the summer of 1834, these Indins remonstrated against the 
payment of any part of the annuity of 1796, to the Caughnawagas, urg- 
ing that previous to the war, a release was executed by the latter to them. 
During the war, the latter had not received their share. A few years 
after the war, through the agency and interfei'ence of Peter Sailly, of 
Plattsburgh, that moiety of the annuity was restored to them, with the 
express understanding, that $50 annually of that portion should be paid 
to Thomas Williams, who had left that tribe, with his family, during the 
war, at a gi'eat sacrifice, and joined the Americans. Williams was paid 
without objection, till 1833, when the Caughnawagas entered a i)rolest, 
and he was not paid. 

Before the war, the St. Regis Indians were allowed to hold, in common 
with their brethren in Canada, all the Indian lands, and also to receive 
the rents and profits of them. Since the war, the British government 
refused them the privilege of even occupying the lands on the St. Law- 
rence river, in common with their brethren in Canada. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 169 

For this reason, they couceived that they had an exclusive right to the 
state annuities. They accordingly applied to the legislature, in 1835, 
for the payment to them of the annuity which had been previously shared 
by the Caughnawagas. 

They also asked that the payment of their annuities might be made at 
a more convenient season of the year, and to those who reside in the 
state of New York, or within the United States only. 

They also applied for a change of the existing law for the election of 
trustees, and desired that the governor might be empowered to appoint 
not less than three nor more than six principal Indians, who should be 
called chiefs, and hold their office during pleasure, a majority of whom 
were to act for the tribe. 

This memorial was referred to A. C. Flagg, the comptroller, who 
made a report to the legislature, in which he reviewed the history of the 
Indian title, and from which we will take the liberty of making a few 
extracts. 

After briefly enumerating the several treaties made, by whom and for 
what consideration he gives the following summary of the compensation 
and annuities received for their lands. 

Sum paid at Amount of 
the treaty. annuities. 

Treaty of 1796 with the Seven Nations, $3,179-96 $533-33 

" 1816 " St. Regis 1,300-00 

1818 « " 200-00 

« 1824 " " 1,920-00 

1824 " " 1,750-00 60-00 

" 1824 and act of 1825 305-00 

1825 with the St. Regis, 2,100-00 



$8,949-96 $2,398-33 

In relation to the claims of these Indians, the comptroller said: 

" It should be borne in mind, that the treaty was originally made with 
British as well as American Indians, which treaty is in the nature of a 
contract, on the part of the state, to pay annually a certain sum of money 
in consideration of the relinquishment, by the Seven Nations, of Canada, 
of certain lands belonging \ to them. When the treaty was made, the 
Caughnawagas were British Indians, as much as they are now; the stale 
did not refuse to treat with them, and puixhase their lands, because they 
resided in Canada ; and having made the treaty with them, shall the state 
refuse to fulfill it? 

If the annuity is to be confiscated because the Caughnawagas, or some 
of them, may have taken up arms against the United States during the 
late war, then the question would arise, whether the confiscation sliould 
be made for the benefit of the state ti-easury or the St. Regis tribe; and 
if the Caughnawagas are to be cut off, because some of their warriors 



170 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

aided the enemy, the same rule would deprive the St. Regis Indians of 
their annuities, since some of their warriors were understood to have 
joined the British army during the war. It should be recollected, how- 
ever, that the Caughnawaga Indians did not promise allegiance, ljy tlie 
treaty of 179(1, nor did they owe allegiance to the United States, or this 
state, when the war of 1812 was declared. 

A request is made in the memorial, that the annuity of $533-33 may 
hereafter be ])aid only to such of the St. Regis tribe as reside in this 
state, or the United States. By the treaty of 1796, it was agreed, that if 
the Seven Nations of Canada, would relinquish their lands to the people 
of this state, they should receive forever an annuity of $533*33. Alter 
the Indians, in pursuance of this agreement, have relinquished their 
lands, and after the state has taken possession of and sold them, can the 
government of this state retVise to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty, be- 
cause the Indians do not reside on the American side of the national 
line ? 

The St. Regis Indians represent that Thomas Williams left the Caugh- 
uawagas during the war, with his family, at u great sacrifice. It is true 
that he joined the American side during the war, and for doing this, his 
property may have been confiscated. But it will be seen by referring 
to the treaties, that Thomas Williams, Avho in 1796 was a Caughnawaga 
chief, in 1816, had become one of tlie chiefs and head men of the St. 
Regis tribe, and assisted in secui-ing to the latter tribe an annuity of 
$1,-300 for the sale of lands, reserved in the treaty with the Seven Nations 
of Canada. By joining the St. Regis Indians and aiding in the subse- 
quent sale for the sole benefit of this tribe, of the lands reserved by the 
treaty of 1796, Williams would of course lose all favor with the tribe to 
which he had originally belonged. 

The exclusion of the Caughnawagas from a participation in the annu- 
ity secured by the treaty of 1796, is only one of the disturbing questions 
with which the St. Regis Indians are agitated. There are two parties 
in the tribe, one denominated the American party, and the other the 
British party; and as they elect trustees under the authority of the laws 
of this state, the British Indians, it is alleged, join in and in some cases 
control these elections. 

The strife in relation to the choice of trustees may have been increased 
and aggravated, from tlie circumstance that these trustees have been in 
the habit of issuing due bills, which are circulated and form a kind of 
paper currency. These due bills are made payable on the first Tuesday 
in August succeeding the date thereof, and are based of course on the 
money in the treasury and which is payable to the Indians on that day." 

The comptroller advised against changing the time or mode of paying 
the annuities. 

In 1834, there had been paid to one hundred and three families, com- 
prising three hundred and thirty-six individuals, $2,131-66 to the St. 
Regis, and $266-67 to the Caughnawaga tribe. 

It is stated that when the government, after the war, decided to restore 
one half of the annuity of 1796, to the latter, that Mr. Denniston, the 
agent, told their deputies, that Williams having been a party to the treaty, 
ought to have a share of the money, and accordingly $50 had been paid 
to him annually. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 17 1 

Those who wish to pursue this examinatiou, will find by referring to 
the assembly document of 1835, a further statement, with a copy of the 
paper purporting to confer upon the St. Regis Indians, authority to re- 
ceive the annuities of 1795, which the comptroller decided to be spurious; 
and also a correspondence of Jairies B. Spencer, at that time the agent, 
and documents showing that the St. Regis wore deprived of ceitaiii 
rights previously enjoyed, in consequence of the course adopted in the 
war. Our space does not admit of further reference to this question. 

The Caughnawagas being decided to be entitled to a portion of the 
annuity above mentioned, continued to receive it until 1841, (May 25,) 
when the comraissionei's of the land office were authoiized, 

" To direct the payment, in their discretion, to the Caughnawaga and 
St. Regis tribes, representing the Seven Nations of Canada, or any part 
or portion of them, of the principal of the annuities, or such portion 
thereof as they, the said commissioners, may from time to time deem 
proper, remaining under the control of this state, for the benefit of said 
Indians, or any portion of them. They were authorized also, to treat 
with any remaining tribes of Indians in the state for their lands, or the 
payment of moneys belonging to them, or in relation to roads running 
through their lands. 

The acts of these commissioners were to be submitted to the governor 
for his approval, before they could have effect. Actions for trespass 
were to be prosecuted by the district attorney of the counties where they 
were committed, and the excess recovered, after paying the expense of 
prosecution, was to be distributed among the Indians. Three of the 
chiefs of the tribe might in like manner bring a suit for its benefit, with 
the written approbation of the supervisor of the town where the land 
was situated, or of any judge of the county courts, and security for costs 
in the latter case being given, approved by the supervisor or judge, at 
any time before or on the return of the first process in the suit." 

The Caughnawagas have accordingly been paid the principal of their 
share of the annuity. 

By an act passed April 27, 1841, the trustees of the St. Regis tribe 
duly elected, at a regular meeting, were authoi-ized with the advice and 
consent of the agent for the payment of their annuities, to execute leases 
to white persons for any part of their unoccupied lands, for any terra not 
exceeding twenty-one years, for such rents as may be agreed upon. The 
income of these leases was to be divided for the general benefit of the 
tribe. The district attorney of Franklin county, was to prepare the form 
of the lease, and none were to take effect unless \tith the written consent 
of the district attorney, or Indian agent, endorsed thereon. The fee foi 
prepai'ing the lease, attending to its execution, and endorsing it, was 
fixed at three dollars. 

In pursuance with powers thus granted, considerable portions of the 
reservation have been leased, mostly to Canadian Frenchmen, 



172 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The question of the propriety of this measui-e, has ever been a subject 
of contention and party strife among them, at their annual election ot 
trustees. For several years, the ])arty opposed to leasing land, has been 
in the ascendancy, and the measure has been discontinued. 

The grass meadows on Grass river, in the town of Massena, were 
purchased from the St. Regis Indians, bj' the commissioners of the land 
office, in pursuance of powers vested in them by tiie legislature, on the 
21st of February, 1845. 

The amount purchased was, according to Lay's Map of 1801, two 
hundred and ten acres, at three dollars per acre. It was stipulated that 
if the amount of land should be found to overrun, the excess should be 
paid for at the same i-ates. 

The Indian meadows on Grass river were surveyed by John W. Tate, 
in 1845, and patented in small lots in the years 1846, '7, '8, '9, and 1851. 

By an act making provision for the education of the different Indian 
tribes of the state, passed April 30, 1846, it was enacted: That the sum 
of two hundi'ed and fifty dollars should.be appropriated for the building 
and furnishing of a school house, on the lands of the St. Regis Indians ; 
and the further sum of two hundred dollars a year, for the term of five 
years, for the payment of the wages of a teacher and other expenses of 
the said school. 

These mcneys were to be paid from time to time, by the agent, who 
was to give his usual official bond, and report annually to the superin- 
tendent of common schools. 

This appropriation was very judiciously expended by Phineas Att- 
water, Esq., the agent, in the erection of a school house, on the reserva- 
tion, and between the village and Hogansburgh. 

In addition to the amount named in the previous act, a further sum of 
$75 was appropriated May 7, 1847, out of the United States deposite 
fund, to be expended by the agent paying annuities, in completing the 
school house on the St. Regis resei'vation, and in improving the school 
lot. 

The act of 1846 was so amended as to give $300 per annum for the 
years 1847, 1848, for the payment of a teacher. 

The novelty of the measure, with other causes, made it at first very 
popular, and tlie school was very fully attended. The parents evinced 
an interest in the measure that was surprising, and often visited the 
school, and took a deep interest in its success; but it became necessary 
to dischai-ge the teacher, and those who have since been employed have 
failed to awaken the interest which was at first felt. 

The British government have also maintained a school here for seve- 
ral years, but with no better success. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 173 

The natives have, often expressed their sense of the degrading in- 
fluences which the use of ardent spirits have exerted to their injury. 
The following memorial from the Oneidas, more than fifty years ago, 
addressed to the legislature as coming from the dilFerent Indian trihes, 
possesses a melancholy interest, and engages our sympathy as expressive 
of a refined sentiment of the heart, and a feeljnjj that would do honor to 
man's nature, if expressed, not by the illiterate savage, but by one who 
had enjoyed all the advantages which civilization has conferred upoc 
him. 

" To the Legislature of the State of jYeio York : 
Brothers : 

We, the sachems and chiefs of the different nations, desire your at- 
tention. You have often manifested a respect to our welfare, by way of 
good council. You have told us, that we should love one another, and 
to live in peace. You also exhorted us, to abandon our savage life, to 
adopt your mode of life in cultivating our land; to raise grain; to be 
sober and many other good things. We have made attempts to follow 
the good path you have pointed out for us, but find ourselves still de- 
ficient. And you seem to blame us for our backwardness, and we are to 
be blamed. 

Brothers : 

We have been often consulting upon our welfare, and to promote it— 
we made but slow progress. For we find our great obstacle which we 
look upon as om- enemy, by whose means our nations are almost reduced 
to the ground. Our young men seem to be willing to become slaves to 
this tyrant, who goes in the name of SPIRITUOUS LIQUOR. To us he 
is a servant of evil spirit. When we found that our own endeavors and 
powers were too weak to prevent such an enraging tyrant, we united our 
voices, two years ago, to you for your assistance, chat you might bind 
this tyrant. But you refused to give your assistance, which one brother 
had right to expect from another. 

Brothers : 

If such of your color, as sell us this article, were obliged to keep us in 
their houses while we are distracted with it, and suffer us in the desola- 
tion it makes, we then believe they would willingly call out as loud as 
we do for help, and existence. Therefore we can not but hope and 
firmly believe, that you will at this time, give all possible relief. 
Brothers : 

Remember, that we were willing to assist you to fight against your 
enemy. We were willing to let you have our lands when you needed. 
We were willing to maintain the chain of friendship Avith 3'ou, and we 
desire to live in peace, and to enjoy all your privileges. But how can 
we come to this, so long as you as it were, willing to see us destroyed by 
this tyrant. In consequence of which, numberless audiences have taken 
place amongst us. And besides that you often told us, that the Great 
Spirit will send all drunkards to everlasting fire after death. 

Brothers : 

You are wise people, and you know the mind of the Great Spirit. 
But we are ignorant people, and you often call us savages. We know 
but little, and can do but little. And as you are our brothers, we would 
again look to you for help to lessen abundantly, that distracting article 



174 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

by some law of yours tliat we may have fair trial to walk in that path 
wliicli you so liiglily recoiuinended to us. 

And ill com[)]iaiire witli this our retiuest, we shall ever acknowledge 
your friendship, and we leave it to your wisdom and humanity." 

By a general act passed April 10, 1813, it was enacted: 

" That no pawn taken of any Indian within this state for aiiy spiiituous 
liquor, shall be retained by the jterson to whom such ])awn shall be de- 
livered, but the thing so pawned may be sued for, and recovered, with 
costs of suit, by the Indian who may have deposited the same, before 
any court having cognizance thereof." 

It was made a penal offence to sell liquors to certain tribes by this act. 
By a law jjassed April 11, 1826, the provisions of a previous general act 
restricting the sale of ardent spirit, was extended to the Seueca and St. 
Regis tribe; and in this was prohibited the selling to any Indians of said 
tribes, or residing or visiting with them, any rum, brandy, gin, or other 
ardent spirits. 

The traffic and use of ardent spirits with these people, was still further 
restricted by an act of April 20, 1835, which provides: 

" That if any person shall knowingly sell or furnish to any Indians, 
belonging to or residing witji the St. Regis tribe, any rum, brandy, gin, 
■or other spirituous liquor, within the counties of Franklin or St. Law- 
rence, such person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on 
conviction thereof shall be fined at the discretion of the court, not ex- 
ceeding twenty-five dollars for one offence, or may be impi-isoned not 
exceeding thirty days, and shall also forfeit for every such offence the 
sum of five dollars, to be recovei'ed with costs in an action of debt by 
any person who will sue for the same, one half of which forfeiture to be 
paid to the prosecutor and the residue to the commissioners of common 
schools in each town ; and that on the recovery of such forfeiture, the 
offender shall not be liable for any other or further prosecution for the 
same offence." 

The act of 1826 was by this rejjealed. A still more stringent law was 
passed April 16, 1849, which forbade the sale or gift of ai-dent spirits to 
the Indians, or receiving pawns from them, under a penalty of not less 
than twenty-five dollars for the former, and a forfeiture of ten times the 
value of the latter for each offence. 

Notwithstanding the most stringent and explicit laws prohibiting the 
sale or gift of ardent spirits to the Indians, it has been found hitherto 
impossible to restrain many from habits of iutemperence, although there 
is far less of this now, than formerly. The influence of the present 
priest appears to be decidedly in favor of temperance. 

The state, in its negotiations with the Indian tribes within its borders, 
has regarded them as a foreign powei", so far as the cession of their lands 
is concerned, and as wards or minors as relates to their internal affairs, 
and their iiUercourse with individuals. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 175 

A clause in an act passed April 11, 1808, directed that tbe district at- 
torney in tbe county of Washington, should advise and direct the St.. 
Regis Indians, in the controversy among themselves and with any otlier 
persons, and defend all actions brought against any of them by any white 
person, and commence and prosecute all such actions for them or any of 
them as he might find proper and necessary. 

On the 11th of April, 1811, the substance of the foregoing act was re- 
passed, with the following preamble and provision: 

"And whereas, by the rules and customs of the said Indians, (many 
of whom are infants,) they are all tenants in common of their property, 
and all suits brought by them, or in their behalf, must be brought in the 
name of all of the individuals of the said tribe. Therefore; 

Be it enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the said district at- 
torney, in all suits which he may find proper and necessary to commence 
and prosecute on behalf of the said Indians, to bring it in the name of 
the St. Regis Indians, without naming any of the individuals of the said 
tribe, any law, custom or usage to the contrary notwithstanding." 

The district attorney of Washington county, continued to be charged 
with the trusts reposed in him by the foregoing acts, until April 21, 1818, 
when a law was passed directing the governor to appoint district attor- 
neys in each of the counties of the state, and making it the especial duty 
of the one in Franklin county to perform all the duties previously re- 
quired of the district attorney of the fifth judicial district relative to the 
St. Regis Indians. 

It has since continued the duty of this officer to act in their behalf, 
but it is said that he is seldom called upon to settle the internal difficul- 
ties of the tribe, although upon several occasions individuals have be- 
come amenable to the laws and have been dealt with accordingly. 

In their internal affairs, they have seldom troubled their neighbors, 
and have been at little or no expense to their town or county as paupers 

The St. Regis are at present nominally divided into five i)ands: 

1st. Okawaho, the wolf. At present the most numerous. 

2d. Ratiniaten, the big turtle. Second in numbers to the former. 

3d. Okwari, the hear. Third " " 

4th. RoTiiSEsno, the plover. Fourth " " 

5th. RoTiSENNAKEHTE, the little turtle, the least numerous. 

This division is a traditionary one, the purport and meaning of which 
are entirely lost. 

It anciently related to war parties, and rude pictures of these several 
objects were used as distinctive marks in designating or recording events. 
A satisfactory account of these and other bands, will be seen in the first 
volume of the Documentary History of New York. 

These distinctions descend in a line by hereditary succession, from 
mother to son. 



176 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The female succession is cominon among all Indian tribes, and is ac- 
counted for hy them in a characteristic manner, by saying that the mother 
of a person may be known with certainty, but not the father. 

This classification is somewhat similar to that of the clans of Scot- 
land, and probably had its origin under similar circumstances, namely, 
petty wars, led by small parties and extending not far from the locality 
where they originated. 

The marks became distinctive symbols by which they were known, 
and constituted a kind of heraldic designation, when painted on their 
garments and weapons, or marked upon the bark of trees to indicate the 
class or band to which the wearer or maker of the device belonged. 

The St. Regis Indians observe none of the festivals or ceremonies of 
their ancestors, and no public demonstrations are made, except those im- 
posed by the canons of the catholic church. The principal rites of that 
sect are here observed, and none with more pomp and parade than 
corpus christi, which is depended upon easter, and falls generally in the 
first half of June. Preparations for this often occupy weeks; the streets 
are lined with green boughs and garlands of flowers, a military company 
from among their number, joins in the processions, and the ceremony 
usually attracts hundreds of curious spectators from the neighboring 
towns. 

St. Regis day is not observed, but by a regulation of the bishops of 
Quebec, made several years since, the anniversary of patron saints of 
churches, is observed on the first Sunday of November. This day is ob- 
served with ceremonies in all the catholic churches in Canada. 

The only national pastime which these Indians appear to possess, is 
that of hall-playing, in which they engage with much zeal, and for which 
they evince a btrong passion. 

The instrument which is used for this purpose, is formed of a rod about 
four feet in length, bent as in the following figure, and having drawn 




aci-oss its curvature a net of deerskin thongs. The manner in which the 
game is conducted is as follows: 

About a dozen Indians divided between two parties, and having no 
clothing but a girdle around the middle, and each with a bat like that 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 1 77 

above represented, repair to some spacious plain, in the middle of which 
is laid a balL The game consists in seizing the ball on the net and tos- 
sing it from one to another till it arrives at the side of the field. Each 
party has its goal, to which it endeavors to toss the ball, and the rivalry 
which it excites, leads them to the most active efforts. The ball is seldom 
allowed to touch the ground, and it rebounds from side to side, alternately 
favoring one and the other party. As a natural consequence, it often re- 
sults in personal injuries, from blows aimed at the ball, but received by 
the ball players. 

A company of these has lately held public exhibitions in our large 
towns and villages. 

The exact number of the St, Regis tribe at the time of the athor's visit 
in June 1852, was 1120, of whom 632 souls belonged to the British, and 
488 to the. American pai'ty. Of this number there is said to be not one 
individual of pure Indian blood, being all more or less mixed with the 
French and other white races. 

The war created a division which has since continued, and the British 
party still adhere to the election of their twelve chiefs, who hold their 
office for life. 

Their affairs with government are transacted though an agent or clerk 
who resides in Cornwall, on the opposite shore of the St. Lawrence. 

The American party elect th)-ee trustees annually, for the transaction 
of business, on the first Tuesday of May, in pursuance of statute. 

The British party of the St. Regis tribe, at present, receive $1,000 as 
interest for a tract of land sold to that government. It will hereafter be 
somewhat greater. Besides, they receive rents for lands in Dundee, 
amounting to $1,000 annually, and blankets and clothing at certain rates, 
depending upon the age of the individual. 

From five to nine, a child receives the value of .$1-50. From nine to 
fourteen, about $2*50, and after that period, the worth of $4 or $5; 
besides, 1 pound of powder, and 4 pounds of shot and balls, for hunting. 
A woman receives the value of $4 in blankets and cloth. 

Several of the British islands in the St. Lawrence, above and opposite 
St. Regis, belong to these Indians, and they cultivate or rent all that are 
valuable. 

No section of the country possesses greater fertility or value for agri- 
cultural purposes, than most of these islands in the St. Lawrence. 

The American party receive their annuity, amounting now to $2,131-67 
equally divided between men, women and children, to the amount of $4 
per head. Besides this, they receive rent for a tract of land near Hogans- 
burgh, on the Indian reservation, amounting to about $700. 

The money now paid by the state, is disbursed by an agent who is ap- 



178 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

pointed by the comptroller, and holds his office at the will of the appoint- 
in"- power. He receives at present a salary of $70. The money is paid 
to heads of fiiniilies in specie, in proportion to the number of members 
in each. It is equally divided among all. 

A methodist mission has for some time existed at St. Regis, and they 
have a cha|)el in the village of Mogansburgh, on the line of the reserva- 
tion, and as near the Indian village as a title for land on which to build 
a church could be procured. In the year 1847-8, the Rev. Ebenezer 
Arnold, of the lilackRiver Conference, who was laboring in an adjoining 
charge, was led among them, and after preaching to them a few times 
succeeded in exciting that interest which resulted in the formation of a 
small and flourishing society, to which on the following conference tlie 
Rev. J. P. Jennings, was appointed missionary. 

Through the indefatigable exertions of this gentleman, assisted by 
others who participated in his interest for the mission, and especially by 
Bishop Janes, who has the charge of the Indian mission for the time 
being, the present elegant chapel was erected at an expense of over 
$1,500, fiu-nished with a fine toned bell, and having a convenient parson- 
age, pasture, and garden, the whole costing from $2,000, to $2,500. At 
the end of the second year of his labors, Mr. Jennings was succeeded 
by the Rev. R. E. King, the present incumbent. 

The author is indebted to a work entitled Episcopal Methodism as 
St Was and Is, by the Rev. P. D. Gorrie, for most of the above data in 
relation to the methodist mission at St. Regis. 

Indian Names of Places. 

It is scarcely two centuries since the territory now the United States, 
was an unbroken wild, traversed only by the I'ude natives, who pursued 
the bear, and the moose, and set his simple snares for such wild game 
as served to feed or clothe him. The advent of the European, was his 
misfortune; and step by step he has retreated before the march of civili- 
zation, leaving nothing, but here and thei'e, his names of rivers and lakes, 
and even these, in too many instances, have been with a most singular 
injustice, and bad taste, exchanged for those of foreign origin, or of no 
signification of themselves. 

The sonorous, and peculiarly appropriate names of the aborigines, 
have often been made the subject of commendation by foreigners, and 
should in most instances take the preference of those of modern origin. 

In some cases this would be difficult, but in a new and growing 
country like ours, in which new sources of industry are daily being de- 
veloped, and new places springing up, might we not with peculiar 
propriety adopt the euphonious and often elegant names of the Indians 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



f79 



instead of the common place appellation of" 's Mills," or" 's 

Corners;" words which convey no association, but those of the most 
common and indifferent character, and which usually lose all their 
application after the first generation. 

Let any one compare the splendid names of Saratoga, Niagara, and 
Ontario, with Sackett's Harbor, German Flats, or Lake George, and he 
will see the contrast between them, and can not fail to approve the 
taste that would restore the aboriginal names of places, where it may be 
found practicable. 

In making his inquiries into the history of the mission at St. Regis, in 
June, 1852, the author took special pains to obtain, not only the Indian 
names of places in the northern part of the state, and immediately with- 
in the territory embraced in the work, but also of whatever other locali- 
ties he might chance to be able, not doubting but that the subject would 
be regarded as one of general interest. 

At the Indian village of Caughnawaga, neai- the Saut St. Louis, the 
author met an intelligent half breed, Mr. A. Geo. De Loi'imier, alias 
Oronhiatekha, who is well acquainted with the Mohawk and other 
Indian languages, from whom he also derived some assistance, especially 
relating to distant and well known localities. The names derived from 
this source, will be designated by a f prefixed to the word. 

Acknowledgements are especially due to the Rev. F. Marcoux, of 
St. Regis, for essential assistance in this and other inquiries. Those 
names received from this source will be thus marked, J. 

KIVER AND STREAMS. 

Black River. — ( J Ni-ka-hi-on-ha-ko-wa ) " big river." Mr. Squier, in 
a work entitled The Aboriginal Monuments of New York, has given 
the name of this river as Ka-mar-go. His authority is not cited. 

In a map accompanying L. H. Morgan's work entitled The League of 
the Iroquois, the name given is Ka-hu-a-go, which is a Seneca word. 

Chateaugay. — This by some is supposed to be an Indian name, but it is 
French, meaning, gay castle. The St. Regis call it |0-sar-he-hon, " a 
place so close or difficult that the more one tries to extricate himself 
the worse he is off." This probably relates to the narrow gorge in the 
river near the village. 

Chippewa Creek. — In Hammond, (fTsi-o-he-ri-sen). This name also 
applies to Indian Hut Island. 

Deer River — (tOie-ka-ront-ne) " trout river." The name also applies 
to the village of Helena, at its mouth. 

French Creek. — (tA-ten-ha-ra-kweh-ta-re) " the place where the fence 
or wall fell down." The same name applies to the adj(fining island. 

Gajianog'Mi.— Not Iroquois, supposed to be Huron, and said to mean 
"wild potatoes," Apios tuberosa, (fKah-non-no-kwen) "a meadow rising 
out of the water." 

Grass Ttiver. — (JNi-kent-si-a-ke,) " full of large fishes," or, " where the 
fishes live." In former times this name was peculiarly applicable. Before 
12 



190 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

dams and saw mills were erected, salmon and other fish not now caught 
were taken in the greatest abundance, as far up as Russell. Its English 
name was suggested l)y the grass meadows near its mouth. On an old 
map in the clerk's office it is marked, Ey-en-saw-j'e. The letter y, does 
not occur in the Iroquois language. 

Indian River. — On Morgan's map, (O-je-quack). The St. Regis name 
it hy tlie same appellation, as Black Lake, which see. 

Oswegetckie, and the village of Ogdensburgh. (I Swe-kat-si), supposed 
to be a corrupted Huron word meaning " black water." This river 
in earfy times was sometimes called Black river. 

Ohio. — (O-hi-on-hi-o,) " handsome river." The French designation 
of La Belle Riviere, was a translation of the original name. 

Raquette River. — A French word meaning a " snow shoe." It is said 
to have been first so called, by a Frenchman named Pai'isein, long be- 
fore settlements were begun in this quarter, and that the name was sug- 
gested by the shape of a marsh, near its mouth. The Iroquois name 
I Ni-ha-na-wa-te, or "rapid river," is peculiarly applicable. It is said 
that Colonel Louis, the Indian chief, told Benjamin Raymond, when 
surveying, that its Indian name meant " noisy river," for which reason it 
has been usually written Racket. 

As rapids are always noisy, this name would have an application, but 
we shall retain in the map the original orthography. The St. Fi'an^ois 
name, as obtained by Prof. Emmons, was Mas-le-a-gui. On Morgan's 
ma'p, above quoted, it is called Ta-na-wa-deh, supposed to be a Seneca 
word. 

Si. Lawrence River. — (j Cat-a-ro-qui,) said to be French or Huron. 
Signification unknown. On Morgan's map, Ga-na-wa-ge. 

St. Regis River and Village. — (JAk-wis-sas-ne,) " where the partridge 
drums." 

Salmon river. — (JKent-si-a-ko-wa-ne,) "big fish river." 

Schoharie. — (llo-hsko-ha-re,) "a natural bridge," as that formed by 
timber floating down stream, and lodging firmly, so as to form a bridge. 

^Tioinata. — A small river, tributary to the St. Lawrence, above 
Brockville. Signifies, " beyond the point." ^ 



Black Lake. — (JO-tsi-kwa-ke,) " where the ash tree grows with large 
knobs for making clubs." 

Champlain. — (fRo-tsi-ich-ni,) " the coward spirit." The Iroquois are^ 
said to have originally possessed an obscure mythological notion, of three* 
supreme beings, or spirits, the " good spirit," the " bad spirit," and the 
" coward spirit." The latter inhabited an island in lake Champlain, 
where it died, and fi'om this it derived the name above given. 

How far this fable prevailed, or what was its origin, could not be 
ascertained from the person of whom it was received. 

Grass Lake. — Rossie, (JO sa-ken-ta-ke,) " grass lake." 

Ontario. — (f O-non-ta-ri-io,) " handsome lake." 

Tupper^s Lake. — (JTsit-kan i-a-ta-res-ko-wa,) " the biggest lake." A 
small lake below Tupper's lake is called :t:Tsi-kan-i-on-wa-res-ko-wa, 
" long pond." T^e name of Tupper's lake, in the dialect of the St. 
Francois Indians, as obtained by Professor Emmons, while making the 
geological survey of the second district, is Pas-kum-ga-meh, '• a lake 
going out from the river," aiUuiing to the peculiar feature, which it pre- 
sents, of the lake, lying not in the course ofj but by the side of, Raquette 
river, with which it communicates. 



AND rUANKLIN COUNTIES. 181 

Yellow Lake. — In Rossie, (Kat-sen-e-kwa-r,) "a lake covered with 
yellow lilies." 



Barnharfs Island. — (INi-ion-en-hi-a-se-ko-wa-ne,) " big stone." 
Baxter's Island. — Upper Long Saut Isle, (JTsi-io-wen-o-kwa-ka-ra-te,) 
. " high island." 

Cornwall Island. — f|Ka-wen-o-ko-wa-nen-ne,) " big island." 
Isle au Gallop, and the rapid beside it, (JTsi-ia-ko-ten-nit-ser-ron-ti-e- 
tha.) " where the canoe must be pushed up stream with poles." 

Isle au Rapid Plat. — Opposite Waddington, (JTie-hon-wi-ne-tha,) 
" where a canoe is towed with a rope." 
Lower Long Saut Isle. — (|Ka-ron-kwi.) 
Sheikas Island. — (JO-was-ne,) " feather island." 
St. Regis island. — Same name with river and village. 

NAMES OF PLACES. 

Brasher jPc//*.— (JTi-o-hi-on-ho-ken,) " where the river divides." 

Brasher Iron /f'orA:*,— (ITsit-ka-res-ton-ni,) " where they make iron." 

Canada. — (fKa-na-ta,) " village." 

Cayuga. — (fKoi-ok-wen,) "from the water to the shore," as the land- 
ing of prisoners. 

\Cataroqui. — Ancient name of Kingston, "a bank of clay rising out of 
the waters," 

Hochelaga. — Former name of Montreal, or its vicinity, (fO-ser-a-ke,) 
" Beaver dam." 

Helena. — The same name as Deer river. 

Hogansburgh. — (tTe-kas-wen-ka-ro-rens,) " where they saw boards." 

Kentucky.— {\Ken-ta-ke,) " among the meadows." 

Malone. — (JTe-kan-o-ta-ron-we,) " a village crossing a river." 

Massena Village. — Same name as Grass river. 

Massena Springs. — (JKan-a-swa-stak-e-ras,) "where the mud smells 
bad." 

JlibzVff.— (JSa-ko-ron-ta-keh-tas,) "where small trees are carried on the 

shoulder." 
Montreal.— {tTuo-t\-a-ke,) " deep water by the side of shallow." 
Jsfew York. — (JKa no-no,j signification not known. 
JVorfolk Village..— [IKan-a-tas-e-ke,) " new village." 
Lower Falls in Norfolk on Raquette river, (Tsit-ri-os-ten-ron-we,) 

"natural dam." 

The Oxbow, produced by the bend of the Oswegatchie river, (JO-non- 

to-hen,) " a hill with the same river on each side." 

Potsdam. — (JTe-wa-ten-e-ta-ren-ies,) " a place where the gravel settles 

under the feet in dragging up a canoe." 

Queftfic— (|:Te-kia-tan-ta-ri-kon,) " twin or double mountains." 
Raymondville.—{fTsi-ia-ko-on-tie-ta,) " where they leave the canoe." 
Saratoga.— [fSa-ra-ta-ke.) " a place where the track of the heel may 

be seen," in allusion to a locality said to be in the neighborhood, where 

depressions like footsteps may be seen on the rock." 

Schenectady. — (JSka-na-ta-ti,) " on the other side of the pines." 
Ticonderoga. — (f Tia-on-ta-ro-ken,) " a fork or point between two lakes.' * 
Toronto. — (fTho-ron-to-hen,) " timber on the water." 
Waddington. — (JKa-na-ta-ra-ken,) " wet village." 

We will conclude our account of St. Regis, by a biographical notice of 
some of the more prominent of those who have flourished there. 



182 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

TiRENS, an Oswegatchie Indian, known as Peter the orator, was a 
man of great natural talent as a speaker. He was drowned about war 
time in crossing the St. Lawrence. He was an American Indian, and 
his descendants still live at St. Regis. On numerous occasions in coun- 
cil, he produced a great effect from his eloquence. 

A half breed Indian, who usually was known as Peter the Big Speak, 
was a son of Lesor Tarbell, one of the lads who had been stolen away 
from Groton by the Indians, and who subsequently became one of the 
first setders who preceded the founding of St. Regis. 

He was a man of much address and ability as a speaker, and was 
selected as the mouth piece of the tribe on the more important occasions 
that presented themselves in their councils. 

At-i-aton-ha-ron-kwen,* better known as Louis Cook or Col. Louis, 
was unquestionably the greatest man that has ever flourished at St. Regis, 
among the native population. His influence with his ti-ibe was very 
great, and they always relied upon his council, and entrusted him with 
the performance of their more important business, not only with the 
other tribes, but also with the two governments. 

In all the treaties we have seen, and in all the i-eports of councils that 
are preserved, we uniformly find him mentioned, as one of the deputies 
of the tribe. He had the misfortune of being illiterate. Had he pos- 
sessed the advantages of education, combined with his great native 
strength of mind, and soundest judgment, he would have shone with 
distinguished reputation in his day. 

The following narrative of his life we have derived from his daughter, 
Mary Ka-wen-ni-ta-ke, at St. Regis, through the kindness of the Rev. 
F. Marcoux, as interpreter, and from a biographical notice written by the 
Rev. Eleazer Williams, which was obligingly loaned for the purpose. 
The author has also availed himself of whatever else came in his way, 
among the public archives at Albany. 

Louis Cook was born about 1740, at Saratoga; his father being a 
colored man, in the service of one of the government officials at Mont- 
real, and his mother, a St. Francois. In his features he strongly indi- 
cated his African parentage. 

In an attack made upon Saratoga, towards the close of 1755, the pa- 
rents of young Louis, were among the captives. 

It is said that a French officer seized the boy, and would claim him as 
his propei-ty, but his mother incessantly cried out "uh-ni-ho-wa!," that 
is, " he is my child." No, no, said the officer, he is a negro, and he is mine 
The afflicted mother made an appeal to tlie Iroquoischief warriors, for the 

• This word signifies " one who pulls down the people." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 183 

restoi'ation of hei'dhild, who immediately demanded of the officer, to have 
him delivered up to them as one of their own people, and he reluctantly 
gave up his prize. The mother out of gratitude to her Indian friends, 
would accompany them home on their return, and she repaired to 
Caughnavvaga with them, where she spent the remainder of her life, 
and where she died. The Jesuit father of the mission persuaded young 
Louis to live with him as an attendant, and here he acquired the French 
language, which he spoke with ease. 

His youth was not distinguished by any peculiarities differing from 
those of his age and condition, further, than that he indicated an enquir- 
ing mind, and took an interest in what was going on in the councils of 
the tribe, which was unusual for those of his age. 

From these councils, he often said in his old age, he learned his first 
lessons of wisdom. His i-eligious principles very naturally inclined with 
his early associations, and he became and continued through life a cath- 
olic, but there was nothing of intolei*ance or illiberality in his deportment 
towards others. 

In the war between the French and English, which began in 1755, 
and ended by the complete success of the latter in 1760, Louis took up 
arms for the French, in common with his tribe, and was sent to watch 
the movements of the English on Lake George. Early in the spring of 
1756, being in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, he was one of a scouting 
party sent out against the English, and encountered a party of the latter, 
under Major Rogers, and a skirmish ensued, in which he was wounded. 
The wound which he received, was long a source of annoyance, but his 
conduct had gained him a character for courage as a warrior, which he 
ever afterwards maintained. He was with the French troops at the de- 
feat of Braddock, on the Ohio, and was also present at the taking of 
Oswego. At a later period, he was with the foi'ces against Abercrombie 
at Ticonderoga, where he first received the command of a small party 
of Iroquois, for wliicli service he was chosen, on account of his general 
reputation for consistency, and courage,' and hiscommand of the French 
as well as Indian languages. 

In the attempt to retake Quebec which the Fi'ench made, he was pre- 
sent, but after the conquest of Canada, his war spirit entirely ceased, and 
he returned to private life, and the gaining of a livelihood by the chase, 
respected by the Indians and the whites so far as he was known. His 
predilection, like those of the greater part of his race, were still with 
their former allies, the French, and although the opportunity for its ex- 
hibition did not recur, it prevented him from engaging zealously in the 
affairs of the English. 

The troubles which preceded, and led to the American revolution, at- 



184 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tracted his curiosity, as he heard the matters discussed among the whites, 
and he is said to have made once or twice a journey to Albany, to get 
information on the subject. From General Schuyler, and others, he de- 
rived an account of the difficulty, and news that he carried with him to 
Caughuawaga, is believed to ijave interested the chiefs of that tribe in 
behalf of the American cause. 

When the storm which had feo long darkened the political horizon at 
^ength broke, and the crisis had arrived when every one must choose a 
part, this independent minded Indian adopted a course, which, under 
the circumstances, must be considered remarkable, and resolved to iden- 
tify his interests with those of the i-evolted colonies. 

It is difficult to assign a probable reason for this course, as his resi- 
dence was remote from the theatre of civil commotion, and his people 
could scarcely complain of the grievances which arose from the stamp 
act, or the trammels upon commei'ce and industry, of which the colonies 
loudly and justly complained. 

It may perhaps b^ ascribed to a dislike for his old enemy the English, 
and a willingness to side with any party that would attempt their defeat. 
Whatever may have been the motive, the result was certain, that he 
enlisted with ardor in the cause of the revolution ; served the interests 
of the colonies with zeal and ability in his sphere, and rendered essential 
service to his adopted cause, by the weight and influence which his abili- 
ties secured him among his race. He felt and declared that the cause 
was just, and would succeed; he had witnessed the military character of 
the provincials in the late war, and knew them to be brave, and he felt 
that the objects for which they contended were worthy of the trials and 
the sufferings which it would cost to achieve them. 

After General Washington had assumed the command of the Ameri- 
can army before Boston, Louis Cook resolved to pay him a visit. 

In a letter to the president of congress, dated at the camp in Cam- 
bridge, August 4, 1775, General Washington says: 

" On the first instant, a chief of the Caughuawaga tribe, who lives 
about six miles from Montreal, came in here, accompanied by a Colonel 
Bayley, of Coos. His accounts of the temper and disposition of the 
Indians, are very favorable. He says, they have been strongly solicited, 
by Governor Carlton, to engage against us, but his nation is totally 
averse: that threats as well as entreaties have been used, without effect; 
that the Canadians are well disposed to the English colonies, and if any 
expedition is meditated against Canada, the Indians in that quarter will 
give all their assistance. I have endeavored to cherish that favorable 
disposition, and have recommended him to cultivate them in return. 
What I have said, I have enforced with a present, which I understood 
would he agreeable to him; and he is represented as being a man of 
weight and consequence in his own tribe. I flatter myself, his visit will 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 185 

have a good effect. His account of General Carlton's force and situation 
of St. Johns, correspond with what we have had from that quarter. 
(Washington's Life and Writings, hy Sparks, vol Hi, p. 53. j 

The nature of the present which our Indian chief received at this 
time, is not known. 

In after life, he was wont to exhibit to his friends a silver pipe, having 
neatly carved upon the bowl, the initials, G. W., as the dearly prized 
gift of a man he adored almost as his maker; and it admits of the conjec- 
ture, that this may have been the token which he received at the hands 
of Washington, on this occasion. 

This visit of Louis afforded the general court of Massachusetts, then 
in session, an opportunity to learn something in relation to the existing 
condition of the Indians of Canada, and of the internal affairs of that 
province. There must have been an air of sincerity and intelligence in 
the Indian chief, to have secured this notice. 

The minutes of the Massachusetts house of representatives for the 
2d of August, 1775, contain the following memoranda: 

" Ordered, That Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Foster and Mr. White, with such as 
the honorable House shall join, be a committee to confer with Louis, a 
chief of the Caughnawaga tribe of Indians, (who is now in town, being 
conducted here by Colonel Bayley of Cohoss,) in order to gain from him 
all the intelligence they can, respecting tlie temper and designs of the 
Canadians and Indians towards these colonies, or any other matter it 
may be of importance to us to know." 

Read and concurred in, and Mr. Howard, Mr. Batchelder, Dr. Church 
and Colonel Orne, are joined to the committee of the honorable board. 

On the following day, " Mr. Chauncey brought down the i-eport of the 
committee of both Houses, who were appointed to confer with Louis, a 
chief of the Caughnawaga tribe of Indians, viz : 

" hi Council, August 3, 1775. 

" The committee appointed to confer with Louis, a chief of the Caugh- 
nawaga tribe of Indians, (who is now in town, being conducted here by 
Colonel Bayley of Cohoss,) concerning the temper and designs of the 
Canadians and Indians towards these colonies, have attended to that ser- 
vice, and beg leave to lay before this honorable Court, the several ques- 
tions proposed by the committee to the said Zioitis, and the answers made 
by him; which were as follows, viz : 

Question. How many are there in the Caughnawaga tribe ? 

Answer. Five hundred men able to bear arms. 

Q. How many in St. Frangois? 

A. I do not know. They are a different nation. 

Q. How many in Aronok'? 

A. I do not know. 

Q. Is there any other nation of Indians near your tribe? 

A. Yes, Cannastaug. The number of them I can not tell. 

Q. Has the Governor of Canada prevailed on the St. Frangois Indians 
to take up arms against these colonies? 

A. The Governor sent out Messrs. St. Lue and Bcshpassion, to invite 



186 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the several tribes of Indians to take up arms against you. At his desire 
they held a Grand Council, and the French officers gave each man half a 
pound of powder and a drink of brandy, and an ox among them, for a 
feast. Tliey answered, nobody had taken arms against them, and they 
would not take arms against any body to trouble them; and they chose 
to rest in peace. Upon this answer, the officei's told them, ' if you do not 
take up arms the Yankees will come and destroy you all.' The Indians 
answered again, when these men come here to destroy us, then we will 
take up arms and defend ourselves; but we will not go to seek people to 
quarrel with them. The officers then told them, if you will not take up 
arms, the regulars will come and destroy you, and take your lands. 
They answered, they may come as soon as they have a mind to ; and who- 
ever comes to attack us, we will take up arms and defend ourselves. 

The officers tried to engage their young men to take up arms, by put- 
ting two Johannes apiece into their hands; but when the chiefs knew it 
they took the money from them, and returned it to the officers, and told 
the young men if they oflFered to engage, they would put them to death. 

Q. Did you hear of any other nations of Indians that consented to take 
arms ? 

A. There is another nation, called Oiiorm5,atagreater distance, which 
the governor endeavored to engage, telling them that the other nations 
had agreed to do it. Upon which the Oltowas sent twenty of their tribe 
to the General Council before mentioned, to inform them of the go- 
vernor's message, and enquire whether they had agreed to take arms ? 
They answered they had not; and if they had any thought of it, they 
would have given them notice. The French officers had further told 
them, that New York, and all the other governments to the southward, 
wex*e going to take arms against the Yankees. 

Q. What do you know of the disposition of the French Canadians 
towards us ? 

A. Their disposition is the same as that of the Indians. The Governor 
tried last winter to raise two thousand troops, but he could not engage 
any. They were disposed to remain upon their own land in peace. 

Q. What number of regulars is there in Canada.'* 

A. About five hundred in all. 

Q. Where are they stationed ? 

j1. a sergeant and five privates at Quebeck, twenty at Montreal, and 
the rest are gone to St. Johns. 

Q. What account did the French officers give of us ? 

A. When I went for my pass, the governor told me that you were not 
capable of defending yourselves, and read me a letter purporting that 
the king's troops had killed two thousand of your people, without reck- 
oning the wounded, and burnt one of your towns. 

All of Avhicli is huMbly submitted. 

By ortfer of the committee." 

J. WiNTHROP. 

(American Archives, fourth series, vol. Hi, p. 301.J 
Impressed with the warmest feelings of patriotism, and an earnest 

desii'e to serve the cause of the colonies, he retui-ned to his home, and 

imparted to his fellows the things he had seen and heard. 

Jn a letter from Sir Guy Carlton to General Gage, written in August, 

1775, which was intercepted, the Canadian governor says : 

" Many of the Indians have gone over to them (the Americans), and 

large numbers of the Canadians are with them. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 187 

I had hopes of holding out for this year, though I seem abandoned by 
all the world, had the savages remained firm. I can not blame these 
poor people for securing themselves, as they see multitudes of the 
enemy at hand, and no succor from any part, though it is now four 
months since their operations against us first begun." 

This occurred in the summer of 1775. The corn harvest having been 
secui-ed, and some slight preparations for winter being made, he induced 
a dozen of the Caughnawaga warriors to visit with him the American 
camp, that they might learn, from actual observation, the condition of 
the cause which he was urging them to espouse. They first proceeded 
to the quarters of General Schuyler, and repaired thence to Cambridge. 
He had been probably advised to this course, by his friend General 
Schuyler, whom he had repeatedly visited, on his journeys to Albany, to 
gain intelligence of the approaching struggle. The latter bad previously 
notified the commander-in-chief of the nature of the visit which he 
might soon expect to receive, but the journey was delayed a little longer 
than was expected. We find the occurrence mentioned in the corres- 
pondence of General Washington, who, in a letter to Major General 
Schuyler, dated at Cambridge, 16 January, 1776, soys: 

" Our Caughnawaga friends are not arrived yet. I will try to make 
suitable provisions for them during their stay, and use every means in 
my power to confirm their favorable disposition towards us. They will 
not, I am fearful, have such ideas of our strength, as I could wish. 

This, however, shall be strongly inculcated." 

(Sparks^s Washington, vol. Hi, p. 245.J 

Very soon after this letter was written, Louis with his conu'ades arrived 
in the American camp, to tender their allegiance to the cause of Liberty, 
and testify their respect to the character of the commander-in-chief. 

In a letter to the president of congressj dated Cambridge, January 24, 

1776, General Washington says: 

" On Sunday evening, thirteen of the Caughnawaga Indians arrived 
here on a visit. I shall take care that they be so entertained during their 
stay, that they may return impressed with sentiments of friendship for 
us, and also of our great strength. One of them is Colonel Louis, who 
honored me with a visit once before." 

(Sparks^s Washington, vol. Hi, p. 260.) 

Louis had an ambition for military distinction, and it appears from 
what follows, that there was a hesitancy on the part of the American 
generals in granting this. 

To entrust responsible posts in the hands of Indians, of whose charac- 
ter or history they knew little, would be unwise. To send them off 
without notice, would tend to make them dissatisfied, and for aught that 
could be known, might serve to render them disgusted with the cause. 

The perplexity which the commander-in-chief experienced from this 
cause, is expressed in the following extract from his letter to General 
Schuyler, dated Cambridge, January 27, 1776: 



188 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

" I am a little embai*rassed to know in what manner to conduct myself 
with respect to the Caughnawaga Indians now here. They have, not- 
withstanding the treaty of neutrality which I find they entered into with 
you the other day, agreeably to what appears to be tlie sense of congress, 
signified to me a desire of taking up arms in behalf of the united colo- 
nies. The chief of them who, I understand, is now the first man of the 
nation, intends, as it is intimated, to apply to me for a commission, with 
the assurance of raising four or five hundred men, when he returns. 

My embarrassment does not proceed so much from the impropriety of 
encouraging these people to depart from their neutrality, or rather 
accepting their own voluntary oflfei', as from the expense which probably 
may follow. 

I am sensible that if they do not desire to be idle, they will be for or 
against us. 1 am sensible also, that no artifices will be left uuessayed to 
engage them against lis. Their proffered services, therefore, ought not 
to be rejected; but how far, with the little knowledge I have of their real 
intentions, and your want of their aid, I ought to go, is the question that 
puzzles me. I will endeavor, however, to please them, by yielding, in 
appearance, to their demands; reserving, at the same time, the power to 
you to regulate the number and movements, of which you shall be more 
fully informed, when any thing is fixed." 

In answer to this. General Schuyler wrote : 

"It is extremely difficult to determine what should be done, in what 
you mention, I'especting the offer made by the Caughnawaga Indians; 
but if we can get decently rid of their offer, I would prefer it to employ- 
ing them. The expense we are at in the Indian department, is amazing: 
it will be more so, when they consider themselves in our service; nor 
would their intervention be of much consequence, unless we could pro- 
cure that of the other nations. The hauteur of the Indians is much 
diminished since the taking of Montreal : they evidently see that they 
can not get any supplies, but through us." 

(SparJts^s Washington.) vol. Hi, p. 262.J 

There is preserved a traditionary account of the interview between 
the Indian delegates, and the American general, at the audience or 
council which he gave them on this occasion. It was related by the 
Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the missionary of the Oneidas, who is said to 
have acted as interpreter to the one from whom we receive it. 

One of the Caughmawaga chiefs arose and said : 

" He perceived there was a war cloud rising in the east, which may 
make great trouble, and bring much distress upon the American people 
en account of which his very soul troubled him. War was a great evil 
to any nation or people. He knew this by sad experience, in the war 
between the English and the French, by which the latter wei*e brought 
to ruin. 

He I'ejoiced to see the Americans had such independent spirits, 
as to take up arms and defend their rights and liberties, and that 
they would succeed because he believed that God was on their side, 
but that this must be gained at the expense of much blood, and great 
distress, upon the people. That the king of England was a powerful 
king, or he could not have conquered the French in Canada, but the 
king of Heaven is stronger than any earthly king and will defend the 
oppressed; and with a strong voice he added, "brother Bostonians^ be 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 1%9 

strong and courageous; j'our cause is good, you will assuredly be sup- 
ported by the Great Spirit above, whose omnipotent arm will defend 
you, and in the end will give you a victory; a victory that will resound 
through all the earth, and this shall be a Sabbath day with you, and 
your children, and it shall be celebrated with joyful hearts, as long as 
the true American Spirit shall beat in their breasts. Your true Indian 
friends in the north, will do what they can in your favor. Indians are 
born free people ; they love liberty, yes, they would wish to live as free 
as the deer in the forest, and the fowls in the air. Brother Bostonians, 
you are a great people, and able to meet the king of England, in the 
battle field. We are feeble compared to what we were once. 

You will, I hope, always remember the feeble people who were once 
the lords of the soil, but who are now much reduced both in members 
and strength. But the war spirit is still in us, and we will do what we 
can to aid you, when the opportunity shall offer, even should it result in 
the destruction of our village by the British your enemies. Remember 
brother Bostonians, the words of your bi-others of Caughnawaga. 

Never forget that a portion of them are your friends at heart, and pray 
to the Great Spirit, that you become a free people, as the Indians your 
brothers." 

Having been civilly treated at the camp the Indians returned to Al- 
bany, where they had an intex-view with Genei-al Schuyler, John Bleecker 
acting as interpreter; and here they again tendered their services to join 
the American cause. 

After a considerable hesitation from the causes above indicated, it was 
resolved to grant the request, and Louis Cook, received a commission in 
the Amei-ican army. From this time his residence at Caughnawaga 
became unsafe, and he returned thither no more during the war, unless 
stealthily. 

A portion of the party remained with him, and others returned to 
Caughnawaga, warm in their friendship to the cause, and intending se- 
ci'etly to promote it as they might find themselves able. 

These movements attracted the notice of Governor Carlton, of Canada, 
who endeavored to secure their adherence to the royal cause, but with- 
out effect. 

In the winter of 1777-8, Colonel Louis repaired to Oneida, to raise a 
company of warriors among that tribe, and in this he succeeded. This 
is confirmed by a statement made in a petition of one Edward Johnson, 
to the legislature, for a grant of land for services rendered, in which he 
says : 

" That winter I got acquainted with Louis Cook, a French Mohawk, 
who came to Oneida to get as many men to join him as he could in the 
American cause against Great Britain, for which he received a Lieutenant 
Colonel's commission from the first Congress, ^nd said Louis asked me 
if I was willing to serve the country with him." 

We also find a memorandum that the Oneidas entered Schenectady in 
July, 1780, under Col. Louis. 



190 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

This tribe as is well known, was the only one that rendered efficient 
service to the American cause during the revolutionary war. The 
Mohawks were influenced by tlie Johnson families to take up the hatchet 
against the colonies, and it is well known that the western Indians of New 
York deserved the chastisement they received at the hands of General 
Sullivan. 

In the summer of 1780, Count de Rochambeau, with a French fleet and 
army, arrived in the United States, as their allies, in their struggle for 
liberty. 

"It was deemed advisable by General Schuyler, and others, that a de- 
putation of friendly Indians should be eucouarged to visit the French 
army and fleet at Newport. Many of the Iroquois had been strongly at- 
tached to the French in early times, particularly during the last war, and 
they still retained a lively remembrance the amicable intercourse that 
had then existed. When M. de Vaudreuil surrendered Canada to the 
British, he gave to the Indians as tokens of recognizance, a golden cru- 
cifix and a watch; and it was supposed that a renewal of the impres- 
sions which had in some degree been preserved among the tribes by 
these emblems of friendship, would have the effect to detach them from 
the British, and strengthen their union with the Americans and French. 
For this end their journey to Newport was planned. 

General Schuyler who was at Albany, selected eighteen Indians for 
this deputation. Thirteen of these were Oneidas and Tuscaroras, and 
Ihe other five Caghnawagas, from the Saut of St. Louis, near Montreal. 
They were accompanied by Mr. Deane, who was thoroughly acquainted 
with their language. They arrived at Newport on the 29th of August, 
1780, and were received with a great deal of ceremony and attention by 
the French commanders. Entertainments and military shows were pre- 
pared for them, and they expressed much satisfaction at what they saw 
an<l heard. Suitable presents were distributed among them; and to the 
chiefs were given medals, representing the coronation of the French 
king. When they went away a written address was delivered to them, 
or rather a kind of proclamation, signed by Count de Rochambeau, 
copies of which were distributed among the friendly Indians. It was in 
the following words : 

" The king of France, your father, has not forgotten his children. As 
a token of remembrance, I have pi'esented gifts to your deputies in his 
name. He learned with concern that many nations deceived by the 
English who are his enemies, had attacked and lifted up the hatchet 
against his good and faithful allies, the United States. He has desired me 
to tell you, that he is a firm and faithful ft-iend to all the friends of 
America, and a decided enemy to all its foes. He hopes that his children 
whom he loves sincerely, will take part with their father in this war 
against the English." 

This paper was written both in the French and English languages, and 
sealed and signed in due form." 

(Sparks's Washington, vol. vii, p. 183.J 

General Washington in a letter to the Count de Rochambeau, of Sept. 

3, 1780, says: 

" The visit you have had from the Indians, gives me great pleasure. I 
felicitate you on that which you must have had in the company of such 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 191 

aereeable and respectable guests. I dare say the reception they met 
with, will have a good effect. It has been the policy of the English 
in regard to them, to discredit the accounts of an alliance between France 
and America; a conviction of which on the substantial evidence of your 
army and fleet, and not less of your presents and good cheer, will not fail 
to have a happy influence." (lb., p. 383.J 

These Indians were principally useful as scouts, to caiTy intelligence 
and get information — a kind of service for which they are peculiarly 
adapted by nature, from the knowledge which they have of the forests, 
and the wary look-out they maintain against surprise or detection by their 
enemy. 

On several of these occasions. Col. Louis Avas employed successfully. 
Once he was engaged to convey information to Canada, in connection 
with the expedition that was sent thither under General Montgomery, 
and at another time was sent to meet a messenger from Canada, at a de- 
signated place, near Lake Champlain. This duty he performed success- 
fully, but when he reached the camp of the Americans, he was almost 
starved, having lost his provision bag, in crossing a river. He could not 
hunt on the way, as the British had Indian scouts in the woods. 

On several of his expeditions as a bearer of despatches, he crossed Lake 
Champlain and the Green Mountains, to the upper settlements on the 
Connecticut. 

In whatever enterprise he undertook, he uniformly acquitted himself 
with credit, and in every act of his life he confirmed the esteem which 
he had acquired among the ofiicers of the army, who not only learned to 
trust his fidelity, but ask his opinion on subjects connected with Indian 
warfare, and varied aflfairs connected with the Indian tribes. 

He continued in active service till the peace, and then not daring to re- 
turn to his former associates at Caughnawaga, from the active partizan 
course which he had pursued, he repaired to Oneida, v/here he continued 
to reside until about the year 1789. 

Many of the Caughnawagas had like him, lost their residence and their 
homes, by joining the Americans, and from some neglect no provision 
bad been made for them, as for the Canada and Novia Scotia refugees, 
ivho for a like reason had become exiles ; these ])atriotic Indians wandered 
here and there homeless, and a part of them finally settled at St. Regis 
;o which as Caughnawagas they had a claim. 

There can bo little doubt that the claims of these Indians have been 
overlooked, as one may search in vain the public records for evidences 
that they have ever been remunerated by grants of land or otherwise, for 
their services, with the exception of Colonel Louis. 

Some time after the revolution he visited Montreal, Caughnawaga, 
ind St. Francois, and from his known influence with the Indian ti-ibes, 



193 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

he was treated with respect by the agents of that government, who it is 
said, tendered him strong inducements to engage his friendship, but he 
rejected them all, that he might be free from this species of obUgation, 
His wife, however, who accompanied him, accepted a gift of twenty 
dollars, with which she purchased a store that is said to be still owned 
by her descen dents at St. Regis. 

The western Indians towards the close of the last century, began to 
show symptoms of hostility to the United States, and endeavored to 
excite the same feeling among all the Indians in the country, to whom 
they sent messages, inviting them to meet in general council, to concert 
measures for promoting their measures, and of urging certain claims 
against the general government. The Canada Indians were also invited, 
and attended. The course whicli they pursued will be inferred from 
the following extracts, 

" Colonel Louis of the Cougnawagas also came here to inform the 
government, that the Seven Castles, so called, in Canada, had been in- 
vited to the council, to be held at the Miami River, of Lake Erie. He 
also being convinced of the justice of the United States, promised to me 
his influence towards a peace. (Letter of Gen. Knox, Feb. 10, 1792. 
American State Papers, Indian affairs, vol. i, 12, 35.) 

The deputies of these tribes accordingly attended the Indian council 
at the rapids of the Miami, on the 13th of August, 1793, and in the reports 
of the commissioners appointed on the part of the government, it is 
recorded, that they used their influence in setding the troubles then 
existing between the western tribes and the United States, which subse- 
quently ripened into open hostilities. 

They however with the others insisted that the Ohio river should be 
the boundary between the whites and the Indians. 

His residence on the frontier of St. Regis was at first quite unpleasant 
as well as unsafe, from the hostility which his former course had created 
among the zealous loyalists who settled on the St. Lawrence, after the 
war. 

During a portion of his life, before the war, he had resided at St. Regis, 
and occupied a tract of land afterwards known as the Mile Square, near 
the present village of Massena. This he endeavored to have secured to 
him by letters patent. The following is the petition in which he solicited 
this favor. 

To the Honorable the Senate and Assembly of the State of JVew York, 
in Legislature convened; 

" The petition of the subscriber respectfully showeth : That at the 
commencement of the late war, he resided near the village of St. Regis 
within this state, and adjoining the north bounds thereof. That he 
occupied there a certain tract of land, lying on the Nicousiaga River, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 193 

beginning on the first falls on the said river, and extending up the same 
on both sides thereof, about one mile, which land had descended to him 
by inheritance, and is his own distinct property. 

That at the commencement of the late war, he left his said habitation, 
and joined the American army, and continued to serve his country in a 
military capacity, throughout the war, and that from the part he had 
taken in the American cause, he finds it inexpedient to retui-n to his 
former residence, although the land so owned by him is still held and 
rented out by him. That your petitioner is desirous to have the said 
lands secured to him and his posterity, by a title to the same, under the 
authority of the state. 

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prays,' that the legislature will 
be pleased, in consideration of the premises, to direct letters patent to 
be issued to him, for the said tract of land. 

And your petiitoner will as in duty bound ever pray, &c. 

Louis Cook. 

Albany, 8th January, 1789. 

The Journal of the senate of the state of New York for 1789, contains 
the following. 

January 10, 1789. 

"The petition of Louis Cook, alias Hadaguetoghrongwen, praying that 
his title to a certain piece of land, may be confirmed to him under the 
authoritv of the state, was read and committed to Mr. Clinton, Mr. Haw- 
thorn, and Mr. Tredwell." {p. 30.) 

February 19, 1789. 

Mr. Clinton from the committee to whom was referred the petition of 
Louis Cook, alias Hadaguetoghrongwen, relative to his claim to a tract 
of land lying on the Niconsiaga River, near the village of St. Regis, 
within this state, reported that it was the opinion of the committee, that 
the prayer of tl^e petitioner ought to be granted, and that a provision be 
made to direct the commissioners of the land office, to grant letters 
patent to the said Louis Cook, for such tract of land lying on the Nicon- 
siaga river, beginning on the first falls on the said rivei*, and extending 
up the same on both sides thereof as they shall find to be his distinct 
property; provided the same has not been otherwise appropriated; 
which report he read in his place, and delivered the same at the table 
where it was again read, and agreed to by the senate." {p. 68.) 

This petition produced the passage of an act in his relief. 

The 16th section of an act passed February 28, 1789, directed: "That 
it shall and may be lawful for the commissioners of the land office, to 
grant letters patent, to Louis Cook, alias Hadaquetoghrongwen, for such 
tract of land lying on the Niconsiaga River, beginning on the first falls 
on said river, and extending up the same on both sides thereof, as they 
shall find to be his distinct property; provided the same has not been 
otherwise appropriated." 

It is not known to the author whether this tract was ever confirmed 
to him as his individual property, or what was the result of the action 
directed in the act for his relief. 

It is probable, that Colonel Louis was induced to return to St. Regis, 



194 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

by those people, who were solicitous of securing his influenee in settling 
the claim vvhicli they had against the state of New York, for lands, and 
in seeing tliat justice was done them in the matter of running the 
boundary between the two governments, which passed through their 
village. 

He was not at first safe in his residence at St. Regis, being on several 
occasions in danger of his life, from the violence of the Mohawks. His 
friends, however, promptly informed him of the plots laid against him, 
in time for him to avoid them. 

There is said to have been an especial feeling of ill will between 
Brant and Louis, arising from the active partizan course which they had 
pursued on opposite sides in the previous contest. 

Colonel Louis took a leading part in the negotiations which finally 
resulted in the treaty of May 31, 1796, at the city of New York, by 
which the claims of the St. Regis Indians to the lands in the noi'thern 
part of the state were extinguished, with the exception of the reserva- 
tions then made. A history of the negotiations which preceded and 
attended this treaty, we have given in the foregoing pages. It will be 
seen that the terms oflfered by the agents of the state, bore no compari- 
son with the demands of the deputies of the Indians, but here, as else- 
where, and ever, the latter found themselves at the mercy of those whose 
will was law, and were constrained to accept the terms offered, or 
none at all, having no tribunal of arbitration or appeal, by which to sus- 
tain their claims. 

In sustaining his claims. Colonel Louis was seconded by Captain 
Thomas Williams, a chief of the tribe, and a descendant of the Rev. 
John Williams, of Deerfield, and by William Gray, a chief and interpre- 
ter, who, although a white by birth, had in every respect become an 
Indian in tastes and habits. 

After the conclusion of the treaty. Colonel Louis had an opportunity 
of attending to his own private aflfairs, and he continued to be occupied 
with these, and with business connected with the internal management 
of matters connected with the tribes with whom the St. Regis people 
were associated, until the bi-eaking out of the war in 1812. 

By an act of the legislature, passed in 1802, he was, with Loren Tar- 
bell and William Gray, made the trustee of his tribe, for the purpose of 
leasing a ferry, and a tract of land, and of establishing a school among 
the Indians. 

Although without education himself, yet he was, for this reason, the 
more desirous that his people should acquii'e it; but the prejudices of 
the tribe were against it, and so far as we can learn, there was none 
established until a very recent period. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 195 

Louis was ever opposed to the leases and sales, by which the Indians, 
from time to time, alienated their lands in the vicinity of Salmon river, 
insisting most strenuously, that they belonged not to ihem, but to their 
children. 

It is not our purpose to investigate the motives which were brought 
to operate in producing a contrary course, or the propriety of it. 

On the declaration of war, Colonel Louis, although borne down by the 
weight of more than seventy years, and passed that time of life, when one 
would scarcely be expected to encounter the rugged toils of war; yet he 
felt rising within him the ancient martial spirit which had inspired him in 
former times, and he felt his age renewed, when he thought on the perils 
and the victories in which he had participated, and longed again to serve 
that cause which, in the prime of life, and vigor of youth, he had made 
his own. 

The British early endeavored to secure the St. Regis people in their 
interests, and their agent, who had come up from Montreal, with the 
customary presents, which that government annually distributed in the 
payment of their annuities, returned without making the distribution, 
because they would not agi-ee to take up arms for them. 

The residence of Colonel Louis, in consequence of his engaging in 
the American cause, having become unpleasant, if not unsafe, at St. 
Regis, he repaired to Plattsburgh, where he spent a considerable portion 
of the summer. We notice the following in Niles's Weekly Register, of 
that period : 

Oct. 17, 1812. "Gen. Louis, of the St. Regis Indians, a firm and 
undeviating friend of the United States, and his son, have been in this 
village (Plattsburgh), for several weeks. The St. Regis Indians are dis- 
posed to remain neutral, in the present contest; but what effect the 
British influence and British success may have upon them, we know 
not," &c. 

We have noticed, in the foregoing pages, the miserable condition to 
which the St. Regis people were reduced by the war; as they could 
scai'cely go out of sight of their village, without exciting alarm among 
the whites, and they had nothing to subsist upon at home. 

Colonel Louis represented this condition of things to the governor, 
who directed, in consequence, that five hundred rations should be deliv- 
ered daily to them, and they were thus enabled to avoid giving alarm to 
their white brethren. 

During the summer of 3812, he visited General Brown, at Ogdens- 
burgh, where he was received with attention : a new commission was pre- 
sented him, and through the liberality of Mr. David Parisl, of that place, 
he was furnished with a new and elegant military dress and equipage, 
corresponding with the rank which his commissions conferred. On his 

retm-n to his family, his appearance was so changed, that thev did not 
13 



196 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

know him, and his children fled fi-om the proffered caresses of their 
father, as if he had been the spirit of evil. 

His age and infirmities prevented hira from active duty, but his influ- 
ence with the Indian tribes, gave him an importance in the army, which 
was of signal service to the American cause. 

On the arrival of General Wilkinson, at French Mills, he joined that 
army, and accompanied General Brown from thence to Sacketts Harbor, 
in February, 1814. 

In June following, he repaired to Buffalo, with his sons, and several 
St. Regis warriors, and was present and actively engaged in the several 
engagements that took place on the Niagara frontier. 

In August, 1813, an affair had taksn place near Fort George, in which 
several Catighnawagas and British were taken prisoners; and colonel 
Louis was induced, from motives of humanity, to undertake a mission 
to Niagara for their release. 

To excite a prejudice against him, some of his enemies wrote to an 
officer in the American army, that he was on a visit to their camp, on a 
secret mission, which reaching its destination before his arrival, led to 
his arrest, and he was held a pi'isoner eight days, when some officers 
from Plattsburgh arriving, he was recognized, and set at liberty. A fur- 
ther investigation was desired, and instituted, and he appeared before 
the commission, and answered, with great modesty, the several questions 
that were put to him, by the young officers: but the impertinence 
of some of them aroused his spirit, and he replied: "You see 
that I am old, and worn out, and you are young, and know little 
of the service. You seem to doubt what I have been, and what I 
am now. It is right that you should watch the interests of your 
country in time of war. My history you can have." He then gave them 
the names of several prominent officers of the northern frontier, as refer- 
ences, and with a heavy hand, laid a large black pocket book upon the 
table, and bid them examine its contents. It contained his commissions 
as lieutenant colonel ; general Washington's recommendatory letters, and 
those of generals Schuyler, Gates, Knox, Mooers, and governor Tomp- 
kins, and a parchment certificate of membership, in a military masonic 
lodge of the revolution. 

These abundantly satisfied them, but he further insisted, that they 
should write to Plattsburgh, which they did, more t6 gratify him, than 
to satisfy themselves. The result was, of course, his complete exonera- 
tion from any motives but those entirely consistent with honor and prin- 
ciple. 

But time was having its work upon the frame of this worthy Indian 
chief, and an injury which he sustained, by a fall from this horse, at the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 197 

head of a party of Tuscaroras, in one of the skirmishes of the campaign, 
was found to have seriously affected him, and he desired to be carried 
to the Indian settlements, to yield his last advice, and give up his parting 
breath among the people whose interests he had so long and so faithfully 
sei-ved. 

Colonel Biddle, of the 11th regiment, the son of his former old friend, 
in Coos county, often sent to enquire after his welfare. Louis at length 
sent for the colonel, who hastened to his wigwam, and found him in a 
dying condition, but able to speak. He spoke at some length, on the 
interest he ever felt for the American cause, and the gratification he 
experienced in being able to die near their camp. He bid him remember 
him to his family at St. Regis, to colonel Williams, of that place, and to 
his friends, whom he named, at Plattsburgh. 

To his son, he gave his two commissions which he had cherished as a 
treasure, and bid him carry them to his family at St. Regis, but this 
worthless fellow on returning pawned them at an inn for gi'og! 

Colonel Louis died in October 1814, and was buried near Buffalo. 
His death was announced by the discharge of cannon, as was due to hia 
rank in the army. 

He was twice married, the first time at Caughnawaga, and the second 
at Onondaga, where he is said to have lived a short time after the revo- 
lution. 

He had three sons, of whom one died at Caughnawaga, one at St. Regis, 
in 1832, and the third near Brasher Falls in 1833, while on a hunting ex- 
cursion. 

He had several daughters, one or two of whom still reside at St. Regis. 

Colonel Louis was tall and athletic, broad shouldered and strongly 
built, with a very dark complexion, and somewhat curly hair, which in 
old age became gray. 

He was very reserved in his speech, and by most people would be 
called taciturn. He seldom spoke without having something to say, 
and what he said, was received with deference, for it always had a mean- 
ing, and in all his deportment he strongly evinced possession of pru- 
dence, discretion and sense, and when once enlisted in any pursuit, he 
followed it with a constantcy and perseverance seldom equalled in the 
Indian charactei-. He was prompt and generally correct in arriving at 
conclusions, and hisljudgment was relied upon, and his opinions sought 
by the officers of the army, with whom he was associated, with much 
confidence, and he possessed in a high degree the control of the affairs 
of his tribe, by whom he vvas beloved, respected, and obeyed. 

He was illiterate, but spoke several languages with freedom. His 



198 HISTORl OF ST. LAWRENCE 

portrait was taken while at Albanj', but we have been unable to ascertian 
whether it be still reserved. 

William Gray. — Probably no white person has had more influence 
with the Indian tribe of St. Regis, in their negociations than William 
Gray, and his name is constantly found as interpreter, or agent on the old 
treaties and other papers which were executed by these people. He 
was born at Cambridge, N. Y., joined the revolutionary army, at the 
age of seventeen. With a few others he was taken by surprise near 
White Hall, and carried to Quebec, where he remained till the peace. 
He then repaired to Caughnawaga, and resided for some time, from 
whence he removed to St. Regis, and married an Indian woman, and 
raised a family. He adopted the language, and customs of the tribe 
and become their chief interpretei*. While there, returned to Cam- 
bridge, and induced a large number of his father's family to remove to 
St. Regis, where they remained some time, but never inter mai'ried with 
the natives. His parents died on the Indian reservation. 

He had acquired the rudiments of an education, which was subse- 
quently of much advantage to him in his capacity of interpreter and 
chief. 

Possessing considei*able native enterprise, he acquired an ascendency 
with the Indians, and his advice was received with attention. At a very 
early period he erected a saw mill at what is now the village of Hogans- 
burgh, and engaged in mercantile business at the Indian village. 

He acted as interpreter at most of the treaties held previous to his 
death ; and his conduct at that which occurred at New York in 1796, 
was such as secured him the following recommendation from the gover- 
nor to the legislature. 

Gentlemen : 

"The agents who on the part of this state, coucluded the agreement 
which has been laid before you, with the Indians called the Seven Na- 
tions of Canada, at the treaty held at New York in May last, have repre- 
sented to me, that William Gray, one of the deputies from these Indians 
at that treaty, was during the late war captivated in this state by the In- 
dians of St. Regis, that they adopted him into that tribe, and on the 21st of 
March, 1781, gave him the tract of land specified in the copy of the deed 
from them to him; with which a copy of the proceedings of that treaty, 
accompanies this message, and which he left with the said agents for 
your information. 

That they have no reason to suppose otherwise, than that the said 
transaction was at the time intended, did take place between him, and 
the said Indians in good faith; that during the negotiations at the treaty, 
his conduct was fair and proper, and rather than that the treaty should 
be in the least impeded by his claims, he readily consented to waive the 
making of any stipulations in his favor, and to rely entirely on the state 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES 199 

for such compeiisation or gratuity as the legislature should think reason- 
able." 

John JAf. 
Albany, 28th February, 1797. 

This however, failed to secure him the justice which he claimed, and 
he accordingly presented at a subsequent session, the following memo- 
rial, in which his claims are set forth. 

" To the Honorable^ the Legislature of the State of JS/ew York. 
The petition of William Gray, respectfully sheweth : 

That your petitioner was born in the county of Washington, in this 
state; that when a boy he was taken prisoner in the year eighty, in the 
late war, by the Indians of the Seven Nations of Canada, among whom 
he has ever since continued to reside ; that by adoption and marriage, he 
has become entitled to all the rights and privileges of one of that people, 
and consequently is with them a proprietor of the lands secured to them 
by treaty with the state; that he now has a family of children whom he 
wishes to educate in the manner of their civilized ancestors, and leave 
some property to make them respectable and useful in society ; that ac- 
cording to the customs of the tribe at St. Regis, the place where he re- 
sides, individuals have lands assigned to them for cultivation in severalty, 
yet the laws of the state can not take cognizance of it; that the nation of 
which he is a member, have set apart to him and wish to have confirmed 
to him a tract, as his exclusive proportion of the lands 257 acres, bounded 
on the north by the Salmon river mill tract, on the east by the east boun- 
daries of the large reservation, on the west by a line parallel thereto, and 
on the south by the south bounds of said reservation, now held in com- 
mon in then* reservation, near the village of St. Regis. Your petitioner 
therefore, in consideration of all these circumstances, prays that it may 
be lawful for him to i-eceive such a grant from the nation, and that it may 
receive the sanction of government, and your petitioner as in duty bound, 
shall ever pray." 

William Gray. 

Albany, the 19th February, 1800. 

This petition secured him the advantages which he sought, in the pas- 
sage of the following act, April 4, 1801, during the session next follow- 
ing: 

" And whereas, William Gray of the village of St. Regis, having been 
early in life taken prisoner by the Indians calling themselves the Seven 
Nations of Canada, and since continued to reside among them, and being 
in consequence of adoption and marriage, considered as entitled to all 
rights and privileges as one of their nation, whereby he is equally and 
with others of them interested in the lands secured by the people of 
this state to the Indians residing at the village of St. Regis; 

And whereas, it appears tliat the said Indians are disposed to give to 
the said William Gray, his proportion of their common property to be 
held in severalty by him and his heirs : therefore, 

Be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the governor 
to direct the said agent to obtain from the said Indians, their grant to the 
people of this state, and to issue letters patent under the great seal of this 
state, to the said William Gray, his heirs and assigns, forever, for two 
hundred and fifty-seven acres, bounded on the north by the tract reserved 



200 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and surveyed for the said Indians, and which includes the mill on Salmon 
river on the south by the south bounds of the tract equal to six miles 
square, reserved to the said Indians, on the east by the east bounds of the 
said reservation, and on the west by a line parellel thereto, run from the 
eleventh mile mark, made by the surveyor general, in the south bounds 
of the said reservation, being in length north and south, one hundred and 
sixty-four chains and seventy links, and in width east and west, fifteen 
chains and sixty links." 

A further histoi-y of the tract thus conveyed, Avill be given in our ac- 
count of Fort Covington. 

His residence during a few years previous to the war, was in what is 
now the village of Hogansburgh, west of the river; and this place at 
that period bore the name of Gray's Mills. 

In the war of 1812, he took part with the Americans, and was em- 
ployed by Colonel Young to conduct the party through the woods from 
French Mills, which surprised and captured a company of British at St. 
Regis, in the fall of 1812. Being considered a dangerous paitizan, he 
was surprised and taken by a party of the enemy, on the east side of the 
St. Regis river, near the village, in December, 1813, and taken to Quebec, 
where he was confined in prison, and where he died in April or May fol- 
lowing. 

In his death the tribe lost a true friend and faithful servant. His de- 
scendants still reside at St. Regis. 

Te-ho-ra-gwa-ne-qen, alias Thomas Williams, whose name we have 
60 often had occasion to mention in connection with the St. Regis tribe, 
was born about 1758 or 1759, at Caughnawaga, and was the third in 
descent from the Rev. John Williams of Deerfield. A daughter of this 
pei'son by the name of Eunice, who was taken prisoner with him in 1704, 
became assimilated with the Indians, and afterwards married a young 
chief by the name of De Roguers, to whom she bore three children, viz: 
Catharine, Mary, and John. Mary was the mother of Thomas Williams, 
the subject of this notice. She died when her son was an infant, and 
he was I'eared by his aunt Catharine, whom he ever regarded as his 
mother. Having no cousin, he was the sole object of affection by his 
kind protector, and grew up an active and sprightly lad, in every respect 
of language and habits an Indian. 

In 1772, the Rev. Levi Frisbee, was sent into Canada by the Rev. Dr. 
Wheelock, of Dartmouth College, who visited Caughnawaga, and took 
especial notice of Thomas, whose New England parentage was known 
to him and he obtained with some difficulty, the consent of his adopted 
parents to take him to Hanover, and place him in the Moore Charity 
School at that place, but sickness prevented him from attending. His 
adopted father often took him into the forest with him, on hunting excur- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 201 

sions, and lie became attached to his kind of life, often visiting in his 
rambles, Crown Point, Lake George, and vicinity of Fort Edward. 

On the outbreak of the revolution, he is said to have participated in 
several of the expeditions against the colonies, but the lessons he had 
received from his grandmother Eunice, led him to exert his influence in 
favor of protecting defenceless women and children. 

In 1777, he became a chief, and gradually acquired the esteem of the 
British officers. In the same j'ear he was called upon with others of his 
tribe, to join General Burgoyne, but his feelings had begun to be enlisted 
in favor of the Americans, and he accompanied rather with the hope of 
being able to spare the effusion of blood, than of promoting the cause 
of his army, which he joined at Cumberland Head. On the retreat of the 
provincials from Ticouderoga, he was directed to pursue them, but un- 
der the pi-etense of falling upon their flanks, he is said to have purposely 
led his party by a too circuitous route to effect their object. 

He was also sent with the detachment of the enemy against Benning- 
ton, but did little for the service in which he was engaged, and in the 
event almost came in collision with some of the British officers engaged 
on that expedition. 

It is said that on the occasion of the death of Miss Jane McCrea, 
which formed so striking a tragedy in that campaign, that Thomas was 
solicited to undertake to bring her to the camp, but that he refused. 

This service was according to the Rev. E. Williams, our informant' 
afterwards accepted by some of the Indians of the Western tribes, who 
in two parties, each ignorant of the designs of the other, started on the 
expedition. 

One of them had persuaded the girl to attend them to the British 
camp, and they were on their way thither, when they were met by the 
other; an altercation arose between them, and in the strife that ensued 
the girl was brutally tomahawked by one party, that the other might not 
be able draw the reward which had been offered by the young lady's 
lover, for bringing her in. 

Our informant received this from a Winnebago chief, at Green Bay, who 
acknowledged having a hand in the murder, which some have attributed 
to St. Regis Indians. 

This shocking barbarity, so abhorrent to human nature, led to a rebuke 
from Burgoyne, which is said to have weakened the attachment of the 
Indians for his course, and they afterwards left him. 

Williams, among the rest of the Indians, abandoned the camp and re- 
turned home. In 1778, he joined an expedition to Oswego, with the view 
of invading some of the frontier settlements, but returned, and in the fol- 



202 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

lowing year was one of the party who ravaged Royalton in Vermont, and 
afterwards participated in expeditions to Penobscot, Schoharie, &c. 

In 1783 he visited for the first time his relatives in New England, and 
at Stockbridge met with the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the Indian missionaiy, 
who served him as an interpreter. Among those whom he wished to visit, 
was the Rev. Dr. Stephen Williams, the brother of his grandmother Eu- 
nice, but he found him dead. 

He subsequently visited repeatedly the friends of his grandmother, both 
in Massachusetts and Vermont, and always evinced a commendable re- 
gard for their welfare. 

After the war, he resumed his hunting, and often visited Albany, and 
had a friendly intercourse with General Schuyler. 

When the question of settlement of claims against the state came to 
be discussed, Thomas Williams was entrusted, in company witli Gray 
and Cook, with the negotiation, the history of which we have given. In 
January, 1800, he visited his relatives in New England, and took with 
him his two boys, whom he left to be educated at Long Meadow, Mass. 
The names of these lads were John and Eleazer. 

In 1801, with a party of Caughnawagas, in the service of the North- 
west Company, he made a journey to the remote western praiiues, and 
nearly to the Rocky mountains. In 1805, with his wife, he visited 
his sons, and the mother insisted on having John return, which he did, 
much to the regret of the benevolent gentlemen, who on account of 
their ancestry, felt a peculiar interest in the welfare of the youths. 

The other remained some time longer at the school, and acquired a 
good English education, and subsequently became an episcopal clergy- 
man, and was employed as a missionary for many years among the 
Onei«*Jas and Onondagas, and also with the St. Regis Indians. For 
several years he was engaged in the settlements of the Green Bay emi- 
grants, from the New York tribes, and is at present living near St. Regis, 
engaged in endeavoring to establish a school among the natives. 

During the war of 1812, he is said to have held a colonel's commis- 
sion, and to have been repeatedly engaged on responsible services for 
the Americans. 

On the declaration of war, Williams resolved to take no part with the 
British, which led him to be reported with Colonel Louis, as refractory. 

In August 1812, an agreement was entered into between Gen. Dear- 
born and Col. Baynes, that neither party should act offensively before 
the decision of certain measures then pending should be known. 

A conference was subsequently held between agents of the two go- 
vernments, at which it was agreed that the St. Regis tribe should remain 
neutral, but as afterwards appeared this was subsequently but little re- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 203 

garded. During the war Thomas Williams continued to exert an influ- 
ence favorable to the Americans, and his two sons took active but oppo- 
site sides in the contest. In 1815 he visited Albany, and Washington, to 
urge certain claims against government, but not being furnished with 
the necessary papers, he failed in his purpose. 

In consideration of the active part which he took in the treaty of 1796, 
he for several years after the war, till 1833, received $50 annually of the 
annuity which was paid by virtue of that treaty. 

He died at his native village, August 16, 1849. In person he was 
above the common size, with an intelligent countenance, and with that 
in his manner and deportment, which bespoke a superiority above his 
people in general. 

The author is indebted to the Rev. Eleazer Williams, of St. Regis, for 
most of the data from which the above account is written. Our space 
has not allowed the full use of the voluminous materials furnished. 



204 



HlStORY OF ST. LAWRENC'E 



CHAPTER III. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTIES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &c. 




HE causes which led to the 
.orgauii^ation of St. Lawrence 
rcounty are set forth in the fol- 
lowing interesting document, which 
' is the oi-iginal petition for its erection, 
and is preserved among the arch- 
ives of the state, and possesses much 
value, from its being said to contain the 
signatures of nearly all the citizens then 
living in the county. The original is 
Written in a remarkably neat and elegant hand, and the signatures are in 
every instance in the autogi-aph of the signers. 

" To the Honorable the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York. 

Tlie petition of the inhabitants, residing within the ten townships, 
upon the river St. Lawrence, beg leave humbly to represent the great 
inconvenience and hardships they labor under, by the ten townships 
being formed into one town, and annexing the same to the county of 
Clinton.* The principal inconvenience your petitioners labor under is 
the very remote distance they are placed from Plattsburgh, which is the 
county town of the county of Clinton, Not any of your petitioners are 
less than one hundred and twenty miles from Plattsburgh, and a great 
majority of them are from one hundred and thirty to forty miles. 

Between the ten townships and Plattsburgh, much of the way there 
is no road, and the remainder of the way is a very bad one; this, to- 
gether with the great inconvenience and expense which necessarily 
must arise to those whose private business, (as plaintiffs and defendants,) 
lead them into the county courts, is such, as to almost place your peti- 
tioners without the reach of that justice, which the laws of our country 
so happily provide for. This is a melancholy fact, which several of 
your petitioners have already experienced, and to which all are equally 
opposed, and when we add to this, the extreme difficulty, troubles, and 
expenses jurors and witnesses must be subjected to, in attending at such 
a distance, together with the attendance at Plattsburgh, for arranging 
and returning the town business, increases the burthen and expense be- 
yond the ability of your petitioners to bear. Your petitioners forbear to 
mention many other inconveniences, tho' sensibly felt, your petitioners 



* In the previous year, the town of Lisbon was erected, and atlaclied to Clinton Co. 
the original petition, &Cj in our account of (hat town. 



See 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



205 



presume they will naturally occur to the minds of every individual mem- 
ber of your honorable body. Some of your petitioners, preseiited a pe- 
tition to your honorable body, at their last session, praying for the forma- 
tion of the town, and annexing it as it now is, but they did not then 
(neither could they,) anticipate the inconvenience and expense they find 
upon expehment attaches to their being so connected. 

Your petitioners therefore beg leave humbly to state, that much less 
hardship and expense would arise to them, by having a county set off, 
upon the river St. Lawrence, and jour petitioners humbly pray, that a 
county may be set off upon the aforesaid river, in such manner as jour 
honorable body shall deem most proper; and your petitioners would 
beg leave further to shew, that one of the old stone buildings at the 
Old Oswegatchie Fort, (which the proprietors are willing to appro- 
priate until the county is able to build a court house,) may at a 
small expense be repaired, and which when so repaired will make good 
accommodations, not only for the purpose of holding courts, but also for 
a gaol, and your petitioners pray, that place may be assigned lor the 
above purpose. 

Your petitioners would beg leave further to state, that Plattsburgh is 
totally out of their route to the city of Albany, which is the place to 
which they must resort, for their commercial business — Plattsburgh 
being as far distant from Albany, as the ten towns, consequently your 
petitioners are turned out of their way the whole distance, between the 
ten towns and Plattsburgh, which is not less than one hundred and thirty 
miles from the centre of the townships. 

The peculiar inconvenience and hardships your petitioners labor un- 
der, is such, that your petitioners doubt not that relief will be cheerfully 
granted by your honorable body, and your petitioners as in duty bound 
will ever pray." 



Nathan Ford, 
John Tibbets, 
Elisha Tibbetts, 
Joseph Edsall, 
Alex'r J. Turner, 
John Tibbits, Ji'., 
Alex'r Bough, 
Jacob Redington, 
Benjamin Stewart, 
Joel Burns, 
James G. Stewart, 
Ashael Kent,* 
Challis Fay, 
Joseph Gilderslieve, 
Elias Demmick, 
Ephraim Smith Ray- 
mond, 
Moses Patterson, 
Henry Allen, 
Edward Lawrence, 
Jonathan Allen,* 
James Pennock, 
Asa Freeman, 
Truman Wheeler, 



Jacob Flemmen, 
John Lyon, 
Daniel Barker, Jun. 
Jacob Morris, 
Samuel Fairchild, 
Alexander Leyers, 
Daniel Sharp,* 
Festus Tracy, 
Septy Tracy, 
John Armstrong, 
Martin Easterly, 
Alexander Brush, 
James Harrison, 
Stillman Foot, 
Alex' Armstrong, 
Jacob Cerner, Juu.,* 
Christian Cerner,* 
Jonathan Tuttle, 
Benj'n Bacon, Sen., 
Benj'n Bacon, Jun. 
Oliver Linsley, 
Henry Erwin, 
Nathan Shaw, 
Caleb Pumroy, 



James Sweeny, 
George Foot, 
Ashbel, SJkes, 
John Farwell, Jr. 
Joseph Erwin, 
Moses McConnel, 
Benjamin Campbell, 
Godfrey Myers, 
Seth Gates, 
James Kilborn, 
James Ferguson, 
Solomon Linsley, Sen. 
Isaac Bartholomew, 
Solomon Linsley, Jun., 
Nathan Smith, 
Jacob Cerner, Sen.,* 
William Sweet, 
William Morrison, 
Dan'l Barker, 
Sam'l Avens, 
Elisha Johnes, 
John Smith, 
Benjamin Walker, 
David Layton, 



*Uuoertain. 



206 



HISTORY OF ST; LAWRENCE 



Coney Rice, 
Andrew Rutherford, 
Walter Rutherford, 
Richard Rutherford, 
Thomas Rutherford, 
Isaac Parll,* 
Jonathan Ingrahatti, 
Joseph Thurber, 
John Thurber, 
Thomas J. Davies, 
Reuben Hurd, 
Aaron Welton, 
George Davies, 
Rial Dickonson,* 
Major Watson, 
Thomas Le Gard,* 
Benj. Mellis, * 
Elijah Carley, 
Adam Williams, 
David Carter, 
William Sharp, 
John King, 
Thomas Kingsbury, 
Peter Sharp, 
Jaraes Salisbury., 
Zina B. Hawley,* 
John Lyttle, 
Ezekiel Palmer, 



Capt. Eben Arthur, 
William Scott, 
Jaocb Pohlman, 
David Rose, 
John Stew^ert, 
Samuel Thacher, 
John Sharp, 
John Armstrong, 
David Linsley, 
Jacobus Bouge, * 
David Giffin, 
William Peck, 
Jeduthan Baker, 
Kelsey Thurbei*, 
John Cook, 
James Harrington, 
Joel Harrington, 
Samuel Umberston, 
Stephen Foot, 
Jeremiah Comstock) 
Daniel Mackneel, 
Robert Sanford, 
Justin Hitchcock, 
Jeduthan Farrell, 
Hoi den Earns worth,* 
Richard Harris, 
James Higgins, 
Samuel Steel, 



John Pecor, 
Peter Woodcok, 
John Barnard, 
Benj'n Nichols, 
Seth Ranney, 
Lazar Laryers,* 
Titus Sikes, 3d, 
William Lyttle, 
William Lyttle, Jun., 
William Osborn, 
Hira Pain, 
Joseph Orcut, 
Eliphalet Elsworth, 
Robert Sample, 
Isaac Cogswell, 
Reuben Field, 
Henry Reve,* 
Asa Fen ton, 
Joshua Fenton, 
Jason Fenton, 
Joseph Freeman, 
Josiah Page, 
Peter Dudley, 
Ahab Harrington, 
Calvin Hubbard, 
Amos Lay, 

David ,* 

John Stoi'ring. 



This petition was received in the Assembly on the 8th of February 
1802, read and referred to a committee consisting of the following gen- 
tlemen: 

Mr. Dirck Ten Broek, of Albany County. 

Mr. Solomon Martin, of Otsego County. 

Mr. Archibald McInttre, of Montgomery County. 

Mr. William Bailet, of Clinton County. 

Mr. Abel French, of Denmark, then Oneida County. 

The bill; passed the house of assembly on the 18th of that month, 
and subsequently resulted in the passage of the following: 

**An ad to erect part of this State into a County, by the name of the County of 

St. Lawrence, 

Passed March 3, 1802. 
I. Be it enacted by the People of the State of JVew York, represented in Se- 
nate and Assembly, That all that tract of land, beginning in the line of the 
River St. Lawrence, which divides the United States from the dominions 
of the king of Great Britain, where the same is intersected by a continu- 
ation of the division line of great lots, numbers three and four, of Ma- 
comb's purchase ; thence running southeasterly, along the said line, until 
it comes opposite to the westerly corner of the township of Cambray ; 
then in a straight line to the said corner of Cambray; then along the rear 

♦Uncertain. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 207 

lines of the said township of Cambray, and the townships of De Kalb, 
Canton, Potsdam and Stockhohn, distinguished on a map of the said 
township, and filed in the secretary's office by the surveyor general ; 
then by a line to be continued in a direct course from the line of the 
said township of Stockholm, until the same intersects the division line 
of the great lots numbers one and two in Macomb's purchase; thence 
northerly along the same to the lands reserved by the St. Regis Indians; 
then westerly along the bounds thereof, to the dominions of the king of 
Great Britain; thence along the same to the place of beginning, shall be, 
and is hereby erected into a separate county, and shall be called and 
known by the name of St. Lawrence. 

II. And he it further enacted, That all that part of the said county lying 
westward of the boundary lines of the townships of Lisbon and Canton, 
as distinguished on the map aforesaid, shall be, and hereby is erected 
into a town by the name of Oswegatchie ; and the first town meeting in , 
the said town shall be held at the house of Nathan Ford ; and the said 
townships of Lisbon and Canton shall continue and remain one town by 
the name of Lisbon. And that all that part of the said county, known and 
distinguished in the map aforesaid by the townships of Madrid and 
Potsdam, shall be, and hereby is, erected into a town by the iiame of 
Madrid; and the first town meeting in the said town shall be held at the 
house of Joseph Edsall. And that all the remaining part of the said 
county, shall be, and hereby is, erected into a town by the name of Mas- 
sena; and that the first town meeting in the said town shall be held at 
the house of Amos Lay. 

III. And be it further enacted, That the freeholders and inhabitants of 
the several towns erected or continued by this act, shall be, and are 
hereby empowered, to hold town meetings, and elect such town officers 
as the freeholders and inhabitants of any town in this state may do by 
law; and that the freeholders and inhabitants of the several towns, and 
the town officers to be by them elected respectively, shall have the like 
powers and privileges as the freeholders, inhabitants and town officers 
of any town in this state. 

IV. And be it further enacted, That there shall be held, in and for the 
said county of St. Lawrence, a court of common pleas and general ses- 
sions of the peace, and that there shall be two terms of the same courts 
in every year, to commence and end as follows, that is to say: The first 
term of the said court shall begin on the first Tuesday in June, in every 
year, and may continue to be held until the Saturday following, inclusive ; 
and the second term of the said court shall begin on the second Tues- 
day of November, in every year, and may continue to be held until the 
Saturday following, inclusive: And the said courts of common pleas, 
and general sessions of the peace, shall have the same jurisdiction, powers 
and authorities, in the same county, as the courts of common pleas and 
general sessions of the peace in the other counties of this state, have in 
their respective counties; Provided, always. That nothing in this act 
contained shall be construed to affect any suit or action already com- 
menced, or that shall be commenced, before the first Tuesday in June 
next, so as to work a wrong or prejudice, to any of the parties therein, 
or to affect any criminal or other proceedings, on the part of the people of 
this state ; but all such civil and criminal proceedings, shall and may be 
pi-osecuted to trial, judgment and execution, as if this act had never been 
passed. 

V. A7id be it further enacted. That until legislative provision be made 
in the premises, the said court of common pleas and general sessions of 
the peace, shall be held in the old barracks, so called, i» the said town 



208 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of Oswegatchie, which shall be deemed in law, the court house and jail 
of the said county of St. Lawrence. 

VI. And he it further enacted. That the freeholders and inhabitants of 
the said county, shall have and enjoy, within the same, all and every of 
the said rights, powers and privileges, as the freeholders and inhabitants 
of any county in this state, are by law entitled to have and enjoy. 

VII. And he it further enacted, That it shall not be the duty of the su- 
preme court to hold a circuit court in every year in the said county, un- 
less, in their judgment, they shall deem it proper and necessary; any 
law to the contrai-y notwithstanding. 

VIII. And he it further enacted. That the said county of St. Lawx'ence, 
shall be considered as part of the western district of this state. 

IX. And he it further enacted, That all the residue of the tract of land 
lying between the division lines aforesaid, of great lots numbers three 
and four, and of great lots numbers one and two, in Macomb's purchase, 
and the north bounds of Totten and Crossfield's purchase, shall, until 
further legislative provision in the premises, be considered as part of 
the town of Massena, in the said county of St. Lawrence : And all that 
part of Macomb's purchase, included in great division number one, and 
the Indian reservation at the St. Regis village, shall be annexed to, and 
form part of, the town of Chateaugay, in the county of Clinton. 

X. And he it further enacted, That the said county of St. Lawrence, 
shall be annexed to, and become part of the district now composed of 
the counties of Herkimer, Otsego, Oneida, and Chenango, as it respects 
all proceedings under the act entitled, ' An act relative to district attor- 
neys.' 

XI. And he it further enacted, That until other provision be made by 
law, the inspectors of election in the several towns in the said coimty of 
St. Lawrence, shall return the votes taken at any election for governor, 
lieutenant governor, senators, members of the assembly, and members 
of congress, to the clerk of the county of Oneida, to be by him estimated 
as a part of the aggregate number of votes given at such election, in the 
county of Oneida." 

In accordance with this law, one of the stone buildings west of the 
Oswegatchie, was fitted up as a court house, and a bomb-proof magazine 
on the premises as a jail. Here the first covu'ts were held, and first 
delinquents confined until the completion of the court house in 1803, 
under the provisions of a clause in an act passed April 2, 1803, which 
provided as follows: 

" And he it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the supervisors 
of the county of St. Lawrence, and they are hereby authorized, to receive 
the moneys subscribed by the inhabitants of the said county, for building 
a court house and gaol, on the east side of the mouth of the Oswegatchie 
river, opposite to the old bari-acks; and to apply such moneys for build- 
ing the said court house and gaol, in such manner as they or the ma- 
jority of them shall judge most for the interest of the said county; and 
shall account for the expenditures of the said money with the judges of 
the court of common pleas for the said county. 

And be it further enacted. That as soon as the said supervisors, or a 
majority of them, shall, by writing under their hands, certify to the sheriff 
of the said county, that the gaol hereby authorized to be built, is fit for 
the reception of prisoners, it shall and may be lawful for the said sherifi", 
after filing the said certificate in the office of the clerk of the said county, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



209 



to remove the prisoners into the said gaol ; which gaol thereafter shall 
be the gaol of the said county ; and that as soon as the said court house 
is finished sufficiently, so as to be comfortable for holding court, and a 
certificate thereof by the said supervisors, or a majority of them, delivered 
to the judges of the said court, and filed in the clerk's office, shall there-- 
after be the court house for the said county, to all intents and purposes. 

And he it further enacted, That until further order of the legislature, it 
shall not be necessary for the sheriff of the said county, to give bonds to 
the people of this state, for a larger sum than four thousand dollars, and 
six sureties of five hundred dollars each." 

An act of Feb. 12, 1813, required the board of supervisors to raise a 
tax of $900, for the purpose of erecting a fire-proof clerk's office. Pre- 
vious to the completion of this, the records were kept in the office of 
Louis Hasbrouck, the clerk. The date of the first record in the office 
is May 29, 1802. 

v%4 




The house in which the clerk's office was kept for several of the first 
years is represented in the accompanying engraving, which possesses an 
additional interest from its having been one of the first dwellings erected 
in Ogdensburgh. It was completed in 1804. The lot on which it stood 
was sold to Mr. Hasbrouck for a guinea. Its central location has ren- 
dered it worth several thousand dollars. 

This venerable dwelling was unfortunately consumed in a destructive 
fire that occurred in the autumn of 1852, together with the modern 
block of stores represented in the cut, and much valuable property on 
the opposite side of the street. 

The engraving was taken from a daguerreotype by E. A. Olds. 

The following resolutions in relation to the act authorizing the erection 
of a new clerk's office, were passed by the board of supervisors in Oct., 
.1821 : 



210 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

" Moved that the sum of $600 be raised and levied for the purpose of 
building a fire-proof clerk's office. 

Action postponed for the present. 

It was proposed to amend this, by inserting $500, and this "amendment 
was passed. 

Voted that the building should be erected in the village of Ogdens- 
burgh. Louis Hasbrouck, David C. Judson, and Bishop Perkins, were 
appointed a committee to determine the size and plan, and to superin- 
tend its erection and finishing. It was further Resolved, that, 

" Whereas, by an act of the legislature, passed February 12, 1813, au- 
thorizing the board of supervisors of the county of St. Lawrence, to raise 
money to build a fire-proof clerk's ofiice, in said county; and whereas, 
it is considered probable that a division of the county may take place, 
and in such case, a location at Ogdensburgh would not benefit such new 
county; it was, therefore, i*esolved, that in case of such a division, such 
sum as may be assessed on the territory so set off into a new county, 
should be refunded to such new county." 

In pursuance of the foregoing resolution, a stone building was erected 
on the corner of Ford and Green streets in the village of Ogdensburgh. 
It is now the land office of the Hon, Henry Van Rensselaer. 

The proprietors and settlers of the central and southern sections of 
the county, were never entirely satisfied with the location of the public 
buildings at Ogdensburgh, and by referring to the letter fi-om Judge Foi;d 
to S. Ogden, dated Jan. 11, 1805, it will be seen that secret jealousies 
were entertained on this subject. In 1818, the first direct effiirt was 
made to effect a removal, which was defeated through the efforts of per- 
sons residing in Ogdensburgh. 

Among the arguments then adduced in favor of the measure, were 
the exposed situation of the frontier, and liability to hostile incursions in 
case of war, the inconvenience of the public buildings, and insecurity of 
the jail, and especially the distance from the centre of the county and 
the southern settlements. 

The petition for the appointment of commissioners, to select a new 
site for public buildings, had 700 signatures, and the remonstrance 762. 
The inhabitants of Potsdam, also petitioned for the removal of the public 
buildings to their village. 

Against the removal of the county seat, it was urged — that the con- 
dition of the buildings at Ogdensburgh did not call for a change; that a 
large amount of money was about to be expended upon roads, which 
■would make that place easily accessible; that the county buildings, 
worth $2,000, would become forfeited, by reversion to the proprietor; 
that the taxable inhabitants then numbering 2,000, were then thinly 
scattered ; and an uncertainty still existed, where the weight of popula- 
tion would ultimately preponderate. 

A plan was at this time proposed for dividing the county, by a line 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 211 

running between Lisbon and Canton on the west, and Madrid and Pots- 
dam on the east, to extend in a direct line to the southern bounds of the 
county. The new county was to have been nanaed Fayetle. 

An estimate made at the time, is interesting, denoting the number of 
taxpayers in the several towns, and is as follows: 

Western division. Oswegatchie, 193; Gouverneur, 89; De Kalb, 126; 
Russell, 119; Fowler, 28; Rossie, 62; Lisbon, 115; Canton, 202. Total, 
934. 

Eastern division. Madrid, 260; Potsdam, 302; Parishville, 133; Stock- 
holm, 99; Hopkinton, 81; Louisville, 106; Masseua, 85. Total, 1,066. 

The subject of removal to a central location again came up for legis- 
lative action in the session of 1827, but was permitted to lie over till the 
next session, for the purpose of obtaining a more distinct expression of 
the popular wish on the measure; and under these circumstances, it be- 
came a test question in the election of members of assembly in that year. 
Party considerations were dropped for the time, and it was expected, 
that the canvass would decide the preferences of the electors of the 
county upon the subject of removal. It resulted as follows: 
For removal. ^Igainst removal. 

Moses Rowley, 2,364 Jason Fenton, 2,069 

Jabez Willes, 2,178 Phineas Att water, 1,688 

The members elected were nominated by a convention i-epresenting 
the portion desirous of a change of site, and with a distinct understand- 
ing that they would labor to effect that object. 

The records of many of the towns, show that an expression of opinion 
was taken on this subject, at their town meetings in 1828. 

The petition upon which the law, authorizing a change and appoint- 
ing disinterested commissioners to designa'3 a new site, was not nume- 
rously signed, but embraced the names of those who possessed much 
weight and influence in the county. It was dated December, 1827, and 
received in the senate Jan. 18, 1828. 

This led, after the most active opposition from many of those interested 
in Ogdensburgh, to the passage of the following law: 

"v3n Ad, establishing the location of Court House and other Public Buildings 
in St. Laujrence County. 

Passed Jan. 28, 1628. 
1. Joseph Grant, George Brayton and John E. Hinman, of the county 
of Oneida, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners to examine, 
determine and fix upon, the proper site for the erection of a new court 
house, gaol and clerk's office, in and for the county of St. Lawrence, whose 
duty it shall be to go into the said county to examine the situation of the 
same, with respect to its population, its territory, its roads, and the means 
of communication between the several towns and settlements in the said 

14 



213 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

county, together with the immediate prospect of settlements, and all other 
things which tiiey shall think it necessary to examine and enquire into, 
the better to enable them to form a correct determination as to the site 
of a court house, gaol and clerk's office, for the said county, which shall 
best accommodate the population of the said county, in reference to its 
present territory. 

II. The said commissioners, after having made such inquiries, and ex- 
aminations as aforesaid, and as to them shall be satisfactory, shall on or 
after tiie fifteenth day of August next, fix upon and establish the site for 
the buildings aforesaid, and shall put their determination in writing, under 
their hands and seals, or the hands and seals of any two of them, and 
shall file the same in the office of the clerk of the said county, whose 
duty it shall be to receive and file the said paper, without any compensa- 
tion for so doing; and the determination of the said commissioners, or 
any two of them, being so made and filed as aforesaid, shall be final and 
conclusive in the premises. 

III. The said commissioners shall be entitled to receive three dollars 
per day each, for every day they shall be necessarily employed in dis- 
charging the duties of the said commission, and fifteen cents per mile 
each, for their travel, going and returning, to be computed from the resi- 
dence of each commissioner, to the clerk's office of the said county; 
which shall be the compensation of the said commissioners, shall be raised 
levied and collected as the other contingent expenses of the said county 
are raised levied and collected. 

IV. That Ansel Bailey, David C. Judson and Asa Sprague, Jr., be and 
they are hereby appointed commissioners to superintend the building of 
a court house, gaol and clerk's office, in and for the said county of St. 
Lawrence, upon the site to be fixed upon and established by the commis- 
sioners appointed in and by the first section of this act. 

V. The commissioners appointed in and by the last preceding section 
of this act, or a majority of them, are hereby authorized and empowered 
to purchase materials, contract with workmen, and do all other things 
necessary to the building of the said court house, goal and clerk's office; 
to direct the size, shape and arrangement of the said buildings, and the 
materials of which the same shall be constructed ; and that the said 
clerk's office shall be built of such materials, and be so consti-ucted as to 
be fire proof. 

VI. The comissioners last mentioned shall be, and they are hereby 
authorized to draw upon the treasurer of the said county of St. Lawrence, 
from time to time, for such sum or sums of money as shall come into the 
treasury of the said county, to be appropriated for the erection of the said 
buildings; and it shall be the duty of the said treasurer, to pay on the 
order of the said commissioners, or a majority of them, any sums of 
money in his hands, appropriated to the erection of the said buildings. 

VII. The said commissioners appointed to superintend the erection of 
the said buildings, shall, before they enter upon the duties of their office, 
give bonds in the penal sum of $5,000, with approved sureties, to the 
supervisors of the said county, conditioned that they will faithfully dis- 
charge the duties of the said commission, and the moneys which shall 
come into their hands, as such commissioners, and that they will punc- 
tually and honestly account to the said supervisors, for all such moneys; 
and the said commissioners shall be entitled to receive each the sum of 
two dollars per day, for each day they be necessarily employed in the dis- 
charge of their duties, under this act, to be audited, levied and collected 
as the other contingent charges of the said county are audited, levied and 
collected." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 213 

The substance of the remaining sections will only be given. 

VIII. A tax of $2,500 to be levied on the county for the building. 

IX. The board of supervisors to sell the old court house, gaol and 
clerk's office, and apply the proceeds towards the new building, &c. 

X. Super%nsors to procure a deed in fee simple of the new site. 

XI. The site to be paid for out of the proceeds of the old buildings, 

XII. The supervisors to levy a sum in 1829, not to exceed §2,500, to 
finish the new buildings. 

XIII. Commissioners to give notice to the judges of the county court, 
of the completion of the buildings. 

XIV. The judges to meet and fix upon the gaol liberties. 

XV. The sheriff to remove prisoners to the new gaol, when directed by 
the Judges of the courts. 

XVI. The sheriff alone, liable for escape of prisoners on removal. 

XVII. The clerk to remove records when directed by judges. 

XVIII. After the above, the new buildings shall be deemed the county 
court house, gaol and clerk's office, to all legal intents, 

XIX. Vacancies among first commissioners, to be filled by governor. 

XX. Vacancies in building commissioners, to be filled by county 
judges. 

The sum designated by the foregoing act being found inadequate to 
complete the buildings, an act was passed April 16, 1830, authorizing the 
supei-visors to raise $600 more for that purpose. 

The first record made at the clerk's office after its removal, was on the 
8th of January, 1830, on which day it was opened. 

The following extract from the report to the supervisors, of the com- 
missioners appointed to erect the county buildings, at Canton, describes 
their original construction : 

" Each building is of stone. The courthouse is two stories in height, 
44 feet by 40. The lower story is divided into four rooms, besides pas- 
sages and stairways, viz, a grand jury room, a room for constables and 
witnesses attending the grand jury, and two rooms for petit jurors. The 
upper story is devoted entirely to a court room, 41 feet in length, by 37 
in breadth, 

I'he clerk's office is of the same height and size of the private clerk's 
office, and diffei'ing in its construction only, in making the front room 
smaller, and the rear one larger. * * * 

The gaol is 36 by 40, with the basement story rising about five feet 
out of the ground, and a story and a half above. About 12 feet of the 
easterly end of all the stories is appropriated to prison rooms, except a 
small room in the lower story, for a sheriff's office, where the stove ia 
placed intended to give warmth to all the criminal rooms in the upper 
story, as well as the debtor's room immediately back on the same story. 

The plan of the criminal rooms has been entirely changed since the 
report made at the last meeting of the board. 

It was then contemplated to take the Jefferson county jail, as a model, 
in the construction of ours, the sti-ength of which consisted in the size, 
and even surface of the stone of which the walls are constructed. The 
difficulty of obtaining stone of sufficient size and evenness of surface to 
admit of dowaling, induced them to abandon that plan. 

The criminals' rooms are a block of cells, five in number, constructed 



214 fflSTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of wood and iron, placed in the second story, within and three feet dis- 
tant from tiie outside walls. 

The light is admitted into the cells through gratings in the upper part 
of the doors (which are to be wholly of iron), o[)ening into the hall in the 
easterly end of the building into which the light is admitted, through 
four strong grated windows. 

The cells are, with the exception of one, intended for the accommoda- 
tion of single prisoners only. 

The plan, though novel, as applied to county gaols, was suggested to 
the consideration of the committee, by an examination of the construc- 
tion of the state prison, recently erected; and it appears to them to pos- 
sess the same advantages for a county prison, which has given to those 
establishments a character for usefulness, in the prevention of crime, by 
the reformation of the criminal, in the measure of punishment that has 
revived the hope of the philanthropist, in the success of the penitentiary 
system ; that from the world and from the contaminating influence of the 
society of his fellow prisoners, who may be more hardened in vice, .nnd 
left to his own solitary reflections, if there is any chance for reformation, 
by punishment, it is under such circumstances. The safety of the arrange- 
ment strongly recommended itself to the consideration of the committee. 

Confined singly, there can be no joint efforts. 

Communication from the outside, except as to one cell, is believed to 
be impracticable and difiicult, as to that; and should an escape from a 
cell be effected, the outside wall or grating would still remain to be 
forced." 

The accommodation of the courthouse being deemed insufiicient for 
the wants of the county, the subject of repairing and enlarging the 
building, was brought before the board of supervisors, at their session in 
1850, and it was resolved, 

" That a committee of five persons be appointed by the board, whoso 
duty it shall be to examine the present building, and the cost and expense 
of an addition of 24 feet, of the same materials as the present building, 
and of the same height, including the expense of remodelling the inside 
in a convenient and suitable manner, and to receive proposals for the 
erection and completion of said addition." 

This committee was authorized to contract for the erection of said 
addition to the court house, provided such addition shall be found prac- 
ticable, for the sum of $1,600. 

Two days afterwards, this vote was reconsidered, on a vote of 11 to 
10, and three members of the board were appointed a committee to 
examine and determine what repairs and alterations in the court house 
were necessary. If, in the judgment of the committee, repairs and alter- 
ations should be made, and they might contract for the same, for a sum 
not exceeding $2,000, the committee were to file a certificate to this 
effect, with the clerk of the board, and they then might borrow, on the 
credit of the county,.at par, such sums for seven per cent, annual interest, 
which they were authorized to expend in repairs and alterations of the 
court house. 

The committee were to give their official bond for money so borrowed. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 215 

not exceeding $2,000, in the aggregate, which was to be entered by the 
clerk of the board in his minutes, and certified by him, bearing 7 per 
cent, interest, payable annually. In case the committee should deter- 
mine to make such repairs and alterations, they were to cause such 
alterations and repairs to be contracted for and made under their inspec- 
tion and direction. 

A further amendment, which required that the committee in no case 
should have autliority to contract for the completion of the addition of 
24 feet on the east end of the court house, unless the same could be done 
for $2,000, was adopted. 

Messrs. Picket, Anthony, Cogswell, Foster, and Hazelton were appoint- 
ed to select a committee to carry the foregoing resolutions into effect, 
and they reported the name of Messrs. Fisk, Thatcher and Cogswell, 
who were duly appointed. 

The additions contemplated,were effected during the year 1851, and St. 
Lawrence county can now justly boast of a court house which will com- 
pare favorably in point of convenience, although perhaps not in splendor 
of ai-chitectural display, with that of most of county buildings of the 
state. 

This improvement had been suggested by the judges of the supreme 
court. 

The records of the board of supervisors of St. Lawrence county pre- 
vious to 1814 were lost in a fire at Ogdensburgh in the spring of 1839. 
The first board is said to have been composed of the following : 

Nathan Ford, of Oswegatchee ; Alexander J. Turner, o£ Lisbon; Joseph 
Edsall, of Madrid; Matthew Perkins, of Massena. 

The early action of the supervisors in regard to public buildings, is 
not known. That in relation to subsequent buildings, has been given. 

In 1825, the board resolved to avail itself of the pi'ovisions of the act 
authorizing certain counties to build county jaoor houses, by filing a cer- 
tificate to that efiect, in the clerk's office of the county. 
Carried by a vote of 11 to 7. 

The sum of $2,400 was accordingly voted, for the purpose of purchas- 
ing one or more tracts of land, and to erect thereon suitable buildings 
for a poor house. This sum was to be I'aised in three equal annual 
instalments. 

Smith Stilwell, Jonah Sanford and Chauncey Pettibone were appoint- 
ed commissioners to locate the site, and make the purchase. 

At an adjourned meeting, held in January, 1826, several attempts were 
made to agree upon a site for the poor house, but without success : and 
the commissioners previously appointed were discharged from that duty. 



216 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

John C. Perkins, Samuel Northrup and Reuben Streeter were subse - 
quently appointed for tliis purpose. 

Asa Sprague, Jun., Daniel Walker, Smith Stilwell, Samuel Patridge, 
Silas Wright, Jun., Joseph Barnes and Ephraim S. Raymond were, at 
this session, appointed superintendents of the poor house. 

A lot of eighty acres, one mile west of Canton village, was purchased, 
on which was a house and barn, for $1,250. 

$500 was applied for repairing buildings, and stocking the farm. In 
1827, the further sum of $500 was raised, for the purpose of ei-ecting an 
additional building at the poor house. 

From the interruption in the series, M^e shall not attempt to give in 
connected order a synopsis of the proceedings of the board of supervisors 
in St. Lriwrence county, but shall have frequent occasion to allude to 
them in this work. 

Louis Hasbrouck was first appointed clerk of the board of supervisors, 
and held that office till the year 1810, when William W. Bowen was 
appointed, and held till 1819. During the session of that year, Chester 
Gurney officiated, and at that time. Bishop Perkins, of Ogdensburgh, 
was appointed to the office, which he held uninterruptedly, till the ses- 
sion of 1852, when having been elected to Congress, he resigned his 
office of clerk of the board, which he had held with the entire approba- 
tion of that body, for a third of a century, and Martin Thatcher was 
appointed his successor. 

On his retiring from the office which he had held so long, Mr. Perkins 
received a unanimous vote of the board, expi-essive of their sense of the 
high esteem with which they regarded his services. 

ORGANIZATION OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

A Petition of John Porter, and othei's, inhabitants 
of the county of Clinton, was presented in the 
assembly, February 4th, 1808, praying for the 
erection of a new county therefrom, by the 
name of Norfolk, and other provisions 
relating thereto, which was read, and with 
several similar petitions, was referred to a 
committee, consisting of Mr. Joshua Foreman 
of Onondaga, Mr. Elisha Arnold of Clinton, 

and Mr. Amos Hall of Alleghany, Genesee, and Ontario counties. 

On the tenth of February, Mr. Foreman, from the above committee, 

reported as follows : 

" That they had taken the facts set forth in said petition, into con- 
sideration, and do find, that the settlements in the western part of said 




AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 217 

county, are so remote from the site of tlie courts in said county, as to 
render their attendance extremely difficult, and burthensome ; that the 
territory of said county is sufficiently large to admit of a division, and 
leave to each county a territory equal to the general size of counties in 
this state; that the application for such division, has been generally 
known in the county ; the committee therefore presume that the princi- 
ple of such division, as well as the line of division, are well understood 
and agreed upon in said county; the committee also find that the town 
of Malone is very nearly central, in such proposed county, between the 
east and west line, and from the quality of the soil in the north and 
south parts, the committee are of opinion, that said town w^ill be at least 
as far south as the centre of population in said county; the committee 
are therefore of opinion, that the prayer of the petitioners ought to be 
granted, and that the place of holding courts in the new county, ought 
to be established in the town of Malone; the committee have therefore 
prepared a bill for that purpose, and directed their chairman to ask for 
leave to bring in the same." 

Leave being granted, the bill was introduced; read the first and 
second time, and referred to the committee of the whole. On the 15th 
the house as a committee, spent some time upon the bill, when the 
speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Gold, from the said committee, 
reported, that the committee had gone through the said bill, made 
amendments, filled up the blanks, and agreed to the same, which he 
was directed to i*eport to the house ; and he read the report in his place 
and delivered the same to the table where it was again read, and agreed 
to by the house. 

It was then ordered that the bill be engrossed. 

On the 16th, it was read the third time and passed ; and on the same 
day it was sent to the senate, and read the first time. 

On the 17th, it was read the second time, and referred to the commit- 
tee of the whole. 

On the same day Mr. Graham, from this committee, reported progress 
and asked leave to sit again, which was also done on the 26th. On the 
7th of March, he reported that the committee had gone through the said 
bill, made amendments, and agreed to the same, which he was directed 
to report to the senate, and he read the report in his place, and delivered 
the same at the table, where it was again read and agreed to by the 
senate. The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and on the 
next day it was passed and sent back to the assembly, where they 
were concurred in. 

On the 8th, it was by the assembly refen-ed to the council of revision, 
and it subsequently received their sanction. 

Franklin county, was erected by an act, entitled: 

'''■..An act to divide the county of Clinton, and for other purposes.''^ 

Passed March II, 1808. 



218 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

" Be it enacted, by the people of the state of JVew York, represented hi senate 
rnd nssembh/: That all that part of the county of Clinton, lying west of a 
line beginning in the line of the said county of Clinton, between number 
six and .seven, of the old military townships, and running from thence 
soutlierly, along the east line of number seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven 
of the old military townships aforesaid, to the north line of the county of 
Essex, shall be, and is Jjereby erected into a separate county by the 
name of Franklin, and the residue of said county of Clinton, lying east 
of the aforesaid line, shall be, and remain a separate county by the name 
of Clinton. 

And he it further enacted: That there shall l)e holden in, and for the 
said county of Franklin, a court of common pleas, and general session 
of the peace, and that there shall be two terms of said courts, in the said' 
county, in every year, to commence as follows: — The first term of the 
said court of common pleas and general sessions of the peace, shall be 
holden on the third Tuesday of April, next, and may continue until the 
Saturday following, inclusive; and the second term of the said court, 
shall commence on the second Tuesday of October, next, and may con- 
tinue to be holden until the Saturday following, inclusive; and the said 
courts of common pleas and general sessions of the peace, shall have the 
like jurisdiction, power and authority, in the said county, as the courts of 
common pleas and general sessions of the peace, in the other counties 
of this state, have in their respective counties. 

Provided: That all suits now pending in the court of common pleas and 
general sessions in the county of Clinton, may be prosecuted to trial, 
judgment and execution, as if this act had not been passed, 

jlnd be it further enacted: That the said courts of common pleas and 
general sessions of the peace be holden at the academy, in the town- 
ship of Malone, in and for the said county; and that the supervisors of 
the said county of Franklin be, and are hereby authorized to raise by tax, 
on the freeholders and inhabitants of said county, the sum of two 
hundred and fifty dollars, to be applied and appropriated by them to 
strengthen and secure one room in the said academy, as a gaol for 
said county, and the sheriff of the county of Franklin, and other 
officers, civil and criminal, are hereby authorized to confine tiieir prison- 
ers in such room of said academy, and in the gaol of the said county of 
Clinton, at their election. 

Jlnd be it further enacted : That all those parts of the towns of Peru, 
and Plattsburgh, lying within the county of Franklin, west of the old 
military townships, be annexed to the town of Harrison, that all those 
parts of the said towns of Peru and Plattsburgh in the said county of 
Franklin, within the old military townships, be annexed to the town of 
Chateaugay; and that all that part of the town of Chatenugay, remaining 
in the county of Clinton, be annexed to the town of Mooers, in said 
county of Clinton ; and the supervisors of the towns of Harrison and 
Chateaugay in the county of Franklin, and of Mooers, Peru and Platts- 
biu'gh in the county of Clinton, shall, as soon as may be, after the first 
Tuesday of April, next, on notice for that purpose being given, meet and 
divide the poor and money belonging to the said town of Peru, Platts- 
burgh, and Chateaugay, according to the distribution of the territory of 
said towns, and the last tax lists thereof. 

And be it further enacted: That the said county of Franklin, shall be 
considered as part of the eastern district of this state, and until other 
])rovisions are made for that purpose, that the inspectors of elections in 
the several towns of said county of Franklin, return the votes taken 
therein at any election for governor, lieutenant governor, senators, mem- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 219 

bers of assembly, and representatives in congress, to the clerk of the 
county of Clinton, to be by him estimated as part of tiie aggregate num- 
ber of votes given at such election in the county of Franklin, and that 
the said county of Franklin be considered as part of the said district to 
which the county of Franklin belongs, as it respects all proceedings 
under the act entitled, " An act relative to district attorneys." 

The following remark, in relation to the origin of the name of this 
county, occurs in SpafiTord's Gazetteer of the State of New York, pub- 
lished in 1813: 

" It can hardly be necessary to say, that this county received its name 
from the illustrious Franklin: and that nothing was meant by attaching 
it to the least valuable county of this state, though the doctor, who always 
saw a meaning in every thinir, might be displeased with it, should he 
appear here in his butt of wine." 

It was from insinuations like these, that northern New York has 
hitherto been looked upon by the lawmakers of the state, as unworthy of 
attention ; and hence has led to a neglectof the just claims of its inhabit- 
ants to a participation in the benefits of our system of internal improve- 
ments. In 1813, there were four post offices in the county, Chateaugay, 
Constable, Dickinson and Ezraville, since changed to Malone. 

By an act passed April 3, 1801, dividing the state into counties, the 
territory now embraced in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties was 
made a part of Clinton county, which included " all that part of the state 
bounded southerly by the county of Essex and Totten & Crossfield's 
purchase, easterly by the east bounds of the state, northerly by the north 
bounds of the state, and westerly by the west bounds of the state, and 
the division line between great lots No. 3 and 4, of Macomb's purchase, 
continued to the west bounds of this state. 

By an act passed April 7, 1801, dividing the state into towns, the terri- 
tory now embraced in Franklin county, was made to comprise the town 
of Chateaugay, when first erected, in 1799, this town included only that 
part of military townships in Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8. 

On the 22d of March, 1822, tovmship No. 11, in the Old Military 
Tract, was taken from Franklin and annexed to Essex county. The 
territory so transfeiTed, was annexed to the town of Jay, and is embraced 
in the present town of St. Armand. 

The building erected for an academy, and still standing on the premises 
of the Franklin Academy, continued to serve the purpose of a court 
house and jail until after the war. Measures were meanwhile taken as 
early as the beginning of 1809, to procure public buildings, and petitions 
were forwarded for the purpose. 

From the journal of the assembly, February 20, 1809, it is learned: 

" That it appears by the petition, that Noah Moody's dwelling house 
which stood on the rising ground a few rods west of the bridge, in the cen* 



220 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tre of the town of Maloiie, in the county of Franklin ; has been selected by 
the inhabitants of the said county, for the site of their court house and 
gaol; that in consequence of such selection, the inhabitants of said town 
have bound themselves to contribute the sum of fifteen hundred dollars 
towards erecting the said court house and gaol within two years; that 
ihe act for the erection of said county does not designate the site, by 
reason whereof, it may be questionable whether the payment of the said 
bond can he enforced, wherefore the petitioners pray that the site be 
designated by law." 

The committee reported favorably, and the act subsequently passed. 
The location of the public buildings of this county was accordingly 
determined by an act passed March 24, 1809, which directed, 

" That the coiu't house and gaol in and for the county of Franklin, 
shall be erected at the place whei-e Noah Moody's dwelling house stood, 
on the rising ground a few rods west of the bridge, in the center of the 
town of Ezraville, in said county." 

By an act passed March 9, 1810, the supervisors of the county of 
Franklin were directed and empowered to raise the sum of $3,250, in 
three equal annual instalments, for the purpose of building a court house 
and jail, at the place previously established by law. 

The sum of $250 was to be raised for the purpose of preparing a 
temporary room in the Academy, to answer the purpose of a jail, until 
one could be built. 

The supervisors were directed to appoint a committee of three or five, 
to superintend the erection of the county buildings. When finished, 
the sheriff was to give notice of the fact by public jiroclamation. 

By an act passed April 3, 1811, the supervisors of Franklin county 
were direcied and empowered to raise the further sum of $500, in two 
equal annual instalments, to be levied and collected in the same manner 
as the other necessary and contingent charges are annually raised, 
together with five percent, in addition for the commission of the collector, 
and one per cent, for treasurer's fees. This money was directed to be 
applied towards building a court house and jail. 

By an act passed March 5, 1819, the supervisors were directed to 
raise a tax not to exceed $1,000, to build a fire proof clerk's office, in 
Franklin county. 

The action of the board of supervisors in relation to the public build- 
ings, will be given in the following synopsis of their proceedings. 

The present court house was erected by Noah Moody, in 1811-1813 
and contains within it the jail. During the summer of 1852, a separate 
and very appropriate building was erected for a jail. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 221 

Memoranda from the Records of the Board of Supervisors, of Franklin 
County, commencing October 4, 1808. 

1808, The sessions, for several years, were held at the Academy. 
Present at the first session — Albon Man, of Constable ; Nathaniel Blanch- 
ard, of Harrison; and Gates Hoit, of Chateaugay. John H. Russell 
appointed the clerk of the board. 

Accounts audited for Constable, $391"30 

" " Chateaugay, 470-05 

" " Harrison, 704-94 

Voted, that two mills and three-fourths be assessed to defray county 
charges, one and a half on Harrison, two and three-fourths on Constable, 
and two and a half on Chateaugay, to defray town charges. 

A county bounty of $10 on wolves, and five on wolf whelps, voted. 
The above bounties were to be paid on certificates issued by a justice 
of the peace, which were to have the following form: 

" I hereby certify, that A B, personally appeared before me, and pre- 
sented the pate and both ears of a full grown wolf (or wolf's whelp), 

and made solemn oath that he killed the same in the town of , in 

the county of Franklin, on the day of , 1808. 

The ears of which I have cut off and burned, and have given this 

certificate to , that he may be entitled to the county bounty, and 

a duplicate for the town bounty, 

Franklin co. , 1808, Sworn before C D, justice of the peace." 



to be paid for roads and bridges, as follows : To Harrison, 310; 
Chateaugay, 290 ; Constable, 250. 
Aggregate amount of county charges audited, $89-56. 

Resolved, That out of the sum of $2,199-50, the sum of $250 be appro- 
priated to strengthen a room for a gaol, in said county of Franklin, and 
the remainder to be appropriated as heretofore contemplated in the 
several resolves of this board, and for the purpose of defraying the con- 
tingent expenses of the county. 

On the 7th of January, 1809, the supervisors of Franklin and Clinton 
counties, met to examine the accounts of the several towns, and the fol- 
lowing resolution was passed : 

Resolved, That no demands shall be made by either of the respective 
counties of Clinton and Franklin, against each other, in respect to the 
balance of town accounts unto this day. Provided, nevertheless, That the 
several items on the tax list, for arrears of taxes on lionresident property, 
which have been rejected by the comptroller, for defect in point of de- 
sci-iption or otherwise, and which deficiency has been charged to the 
several towns incurring the same in case assessed again by the respective 
counties, shall be paid, when recovered, to either of the counties entitled 
to the same ; so far as the land on which these arrearages were assessed, 
i-emains, after the divisions of the county of Clinton, the territory of 
either of said counties, 

I 



222 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The moneys coming hereafter for arrearages of taxes, were to be paid, 
three-fifths to Clinton, and two-fifths to Franklin counties. 

1809. The board audited the several town accounts, which amounted 
to the following sums : 

Chateaugav, $463-o0 Dickinson, $686.73 

Maione, ' 450-52 Constable, 407-00 

Voted $2,276-05, it being three mills on a dollar, on the assess- 
ment for defraying contingent charges. $1,000 appropriated for bridges, 
BS follows : 

To Chateaugay, $230; Maione, $180; Dickinson, $265; Constable, 



1810. The sum of $1,089, applied for building court house and jail. 
The accounts of the several towns audited were as follows : 

Chateaugay, $486-25 Constable, §351-65 

Dickinson, 661-06 Maione, 461-92 

County charges, $1,329-65 

The sum of $2,499, it being three mills on a dollar, were voted as 
follows: $1,084 for building a court house and jail, and the remainder 
lo defray the expenses of wolf bounties, and other incidental charges of 
the county. 

The commissioners appointed to superintend the building of the court 
house, were authorized to draw on the treasury of the county the sum 
of $250, on the first of January, and the like sum on the first of June 
following, for the purpose of defraying the expense of building. 

John Mazuzan, Cone Andrus, and James Ormsbey, were appointed a 
building committee. They were directed to take for their model, the 
cotjrt house in Clinton county, as near as might be, and not to exceed 
$5,000 in cost, including donations, which were expected to amount to 
at least $1,500. In addition to the sums above authorized to be drawn 
ft-om the treasury, the further amount of $500, payable in the month of 
October next, was placed at the disposal of the building committee. 

1811. The board pi-oceeded to audit the several town accounts as 

follows : 

Constable, $379-58 Maione, $516-50 

Dickinson, 663-44 Chateaugay, 585-16 

County charges, $269-29 

The sum of $100 for Constable, $100 for Maione, $60 for Dickinson, 
was allowed for bridges. 

The sum of $2,444-72, being two and a half mills on a dollar, was 
voted, out of which the treasurer waa directed to pay to tlie commissionr 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 223 

ers in charge of the erection of the court house-, $1,353-33, towards de- 
fraying the expenses of that building. 

1812. The board audited the following accounts: 

Constable, $652v5 JMalone, $502-79 

Dickinson, 516-01 Chateaugay, 211*01 

County expenses, $643-86 

Among the latter were $427-75, for bringing arms from Chateaugay. 

A committee appointed to draw a remonstrance to the legislature, 
against the division of the towns of Constable and Dickinson. 

The sum of .$3,286-02, or four mills on a dollar, voted for county ex- 
penses the ensuing year, of which 81,332-67 was to be applied for build- 
ing the court house, and the remainder for incidental expenses. 

18J3. The board audited the following: accounts: 



Chateaugay, 


$563-33 


Dickinson, 


8673-00 


Bangor, 


635-11 


Malone, 


613-57 


Constable, 


629-22 







Gates Hoit directed to procure standard weights and measures for the 
county, and to pay the necessary expense therefor. County charges 
audited, $466-44. Three mills on a dollar, amounting to $1,699-97, voted 
for the ensuing year. 

1814. The board audited the following accounts: 



Chateaugay, 


$539-08 Dickinson, 


$583-59 


Bangor, 


5-22-60 Constable, 


486-39 


Malone, 


569-72 
County charges, $1,281.56 





Three and a quarter mills, or $1,793*60, voted for the ensuing year, 
$178 appropriated for a bridge at Chateaugay, $200 for the same in 
Constable, and 8300 for the same in Malone, at the village, in place of a 
bridge formerly built at that place. 

1815. The board audited the following accounts: 



Dickinson, 


$519-05 Bangor, 


$768-40 


Chateaugay, 


479-48 Constable, 


1,208-] 6 


Malone, 


752-82 
County charges, $775-12 





The first school moneys received from the state, distributed as follows: 
Bangor, $13-35; Chateaugay, $21-62: Dickinson, $9-88 ; Malone, $39-04; 
Constable, $52-52. Total, $136-43. 

The sum of $900, voted for roads and bridges, to be expended as 
follows: Chateaugay, $'200; Malone, $280, of which $200 was to be 
expended on a stone bridge in the village ; Constable, $200 ; Dickinson, 
$120; Bangor, $100. 

Four mills on a dollar, and the state tax of two mills, voted to be 
levied, amounting to $7,284*25. 



224 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

1816. The board audited the following accounts : 



Dickinson, 


$828-65 


Bangor, 


$640-65 


Constable, 


704- J 6 


Malorie, 


743-16 


Chateau gay, 


722-10 








County expenses, 


$2,143-39 





The siuTi of ,$3,300 levied to defray continarent charges. Of this, $400 
applied for building a stone bridge in Malone village. The sum of $500 
heretofore granted for this purpose, to be paid on the order of the board 
of supervisors. 

1817. The board audited the following accounts: 

Dickinson, $745-18 Bangor, $962-27^ 

Malone, 776-82 Chateaugay, 620-20 

Fort Covington, 684-83 Constable, 715-71 

County charges, $2,345-19 

" Resolved, That the board of supervisors has doubts respecting the 
legality of allowing bounties on squirrels, birds, &c., or any other noxious 
animals, except those particularly mentioned in the statute. Therefore, 
resolved, that this board think it improper to allow any bounties on the 
same hereafter, and that the supervisors' clerk be directed to notify each 
town in said county of this resolution." 

$25 to be paid for each certificate of the killing of any full grown 
panther, and for a panther whelp, half this sum. 

1818. The board audited the following accounts: 

Bangor, $712-15 Dickinson, $51-3-52 

Malone, . 728-46 Fort Covington, 681-25 

Chateaugay, 717-95 Constable, , 725-96 

County charges, $2,064-27 

1819. The board audited the following accounts: 

Fort Covington, $548-67 Malone, $1,068-64 

Dickinson, 851-48 Constable, 689-23i 

Chateaugay, 752-90 Bangor, 671-87 

Resolved, that the sum of $500 be raised for the purpose of building 
a fire-proof clerk's office. Benjamin Clark, Cone Andrus, and John L. 
Fuller, appointed a building committee. 

1820. The board audited the following accounts : 

Malone, $656-72 Fort Covington, $579-36 

Constable, 770-00 Bangor, 902-21 

Chateaugay, 1,801-62 Dickinson, 856-93 

County accounts, $1,720-51 



voted to complete the fire-proof clerk's office. 
1821. The board audited the following accounts: 

Dickinson, $1,07390 Bangor, $1,173-15 

Malone, 3,226-99 Constable, 973-71 

Fort Covington, 669-73 Chateaugay, 9,350-89 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 225 

Total aruouut of county charges, including the enormous bounty al- 
lowed on wolves, $12,038-49. 

On motion, resolved, that the treasurer be directed to pay to each of 
the persons or owners mentioned in the preceding schedule, the sums 
above allowed as charges against the county of Franklin, out of any 
moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

The sum of $28,794*04 voted to defray the expenses of the ensuing 
}'ear, apportioned among the several towns as follows: 

Dickinson. $.3,]94-22 Constable, 82.155-81 

Fort Covington, 2.031-93 Bangor, 3.271-65 

Chateaugafy, 11,783-94 Malone, 6,356-49 

On motion, resolved, that a bounty of twenty dollars be paid by the 
county of Franklin, on each full gro\\Ti wolf in said county, and seveu 
dollars and fifty cents on each wolf's whelp, the ensuing year. 

Resolved, that a bounty of twenty-five dollars for each grown panther, 
and ten dollars for each panther kit, killed in the county of Franklin the 
ensuing year, be paid by the county out of any moneys not otherwise 
appropriated. 

1822. The board proceeded to audit the following accounts: 

Fort Covington, $738-62 Chateaugay, $3,687-98 

Constable, 600-72 Dickinsoi^ 738-95 

Bangor, 5,811-4-2 Malone, 737-71 

Coimty charges amounted to $9,13002 

$100 voted for the agricultural society. 
$500 voted for the mihtary road. 

1823. The board audited the following accounts: 

Dickinson, $662-70 Bangor, $547-92 

Fort Coviuffton, 646'81 Chateaugav, 60572 

Constable," 5-23-23 Malone, ' 931-62 

Amount of county charges, $1,887-65 

$100 voted for the agricultural society. 

$125 voted for a bell for the court house, to be purchased by the she- 
riff, on condition that $75 be first raised by voluntarj' subscription among 
the inhabitants for this purpose. 

The sum of $4,000 voted to defray the state tax, county expenses the 
last year, and the necessary contingent expenses of the county. 

1824. The board proceeded to audit the following accounts: 

Constable, $503-57 Dickinson, $664*94 

Bangor, 467-22 Malone, 678-63 

Chateaugay, 58351 Fort Covington, 665-75 

Countj' charges, $1,148-67 

1825. The following accounts were audited: 



• • 

226 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Fort Covington, $64927 Malone, $916-13 

Bangor, 491-64 Constable, 529-32 

Ciiateaugay, 561*88 Dickinson, 712-66 

1826. The tbllowing accounts were audited. 

Malone, $915-96 Chateaugay, $72569 

Bangor, 8-22-75 Fort Covington, 820-12 

Dickinson, 736-92 Constable, 215-89 

County charges, $1,996-68. 

1827. The following accounts audited. 

Constable, $609-83 JMalone. $805-91 

Dickinson 696-01 Chateaugav, 681-52 

Fort Covington, 795 69 Bangor, ' 013-82 

County charges, $1,777-12. 

1828. The following accounts audited. 

Chateauiiav, $573-87 Malone, $700-17 

Constabte," 679-40 Bangor, 491-19 

Fort Covington, 704-54 Dickinson, 589-43 

Moira, 309-42 Brandon, 360*18 
Duane, 29675 

County charges audited, $2,256-47. 

Voted that the treasurer be directed to pay only half of the poor 
moneys, and none of the wolf bounties, until he has returns from the 
comptroller. 

1829. The board audited the following accounts : 

Constable, $353 66 

Chateaugay, 652-12 

Duane, 307-75 

Westville 347-55 

Fort Covington, 1,125-93 

County charges, $2491-54. 

A special session was held in February, 1830, at which it was resolved 
that five superintendents of the poor be elected, viz : 

Jabez Parkhurst of Fort Covington, Gideon Collins of Chateaugay, 

Benjamin Clark, of Malone, and 

Freeman Bell, of Constable, Orrin Lawrence of Moira. 

These superintendents were directed to rent a tenement and landa 
not exceeding fifty aci-es, and cause the poor of the county to be main- 
tained therein. 

A special meeting held June 8th, 1830, for the purpose of taking into 
consideration the propriety of repairing the military road, and for appoint- 
ing three commissioners for superintending the laying out of the same, 
agreable to an act of the legislature passed April 16, 1830. 

It was resolved as the sense of the board, that a sufficient sum be 
raised, to make a road from the east line of Malone to the house of 
Plyna C. Daggett, in Chateaugay, and Joseph H. Jackson, Obediah T 



Dickinson, 


$521-98 


Brandon. 


438-20 


Malone 


549-16 


Bangor 


46.3-26 


Moira, 


353-92 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 227 

Hosford, and Jacob Smitb, were appointed commissioners for the 

purpose. 
1830. The following accounts were audited : 

Bangor, .f5.57%37 Duane, $394-69 

Brandon, 443-69 Fort Covington, 1194-56 

Chateaugay, 1135-4-2 Malone, 1088-64 

Constable, 44907 iMoira, 449-99 

Dickinson, 56o-S4 Westville, 328-01 

Resolved that the distinction between town and county poor in the 
county of Franklin, be abolished. 

County accounts audited, $'23'26-71. 
To support poor house the ensuing year, $1785-o4 

Bridge money, " " " « 1000-00 

To defray the contingent expenses of towns, 

during the ensuing year, 2087*75 

Resolved, that $7200 be raised to defray the continsent expenses of 
towns the ensuing year. 

1831. The following accounts were audited: 



Bangor, 


$.557-21 


Duane, 


$364-48 


Brandon, 


469-83 


Fort Covington, 


101375 


Chateaugay, 


1249-8.5 


Malone, 


11.33-95 


Constable, 


288-02 


Westville, 


34-2-51 


Dickinson, 


564-68 


IMoira, 


354-40 



Amount of county charges, including $1500 for the support of the 
poor, and $1000 for bridges, with the expense of courts 5cc., for the 
ensuing year, $5685-88. 

$825 voted on the towns of Chateaugay and Malone, for the purpose 
of completing the road for whic?i commissioners were appointed at a 
former meeting. 

Voted, that three superintendents of the poor be appointed. They 
were authorized to purchase some suitable place for the accommodation 
of the poor, and $2000 to be raised in five annual installments, for this 
purpose, $500 voted for the support of the poor. 

1832. The following accounts audited : 

Bangor, $538-78 Dnane, $374-88 

Brandon, 436-33 Fort Covington, 856-00 

Chateaugay, 111.5-85 Malone, 810-76 

Constable, 29-2-04 Moira. 417-35 

Dickinson, 470 68 Westville, 353.41 
Amount of county charges, $5496-62. 

1833. Accounts audited at this session. 

Bangor, $619-.'^2 Duane, $373-02 

Brandon, 450-70 Fort Covington, 490-86 

Bombay, 471-79 Malone, 707-79 
15 



22.8 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



Chateaugay, 


928-20 


Moira, 


379-00 


Constable, 


343-79 


Westville, 


485-62 


Dickinson, 


498-00 







County charges, $6,418-73. 

The above, included $2500 for the support of the poor. $1 ,0C0 for 
bridges. $962-21 for courts, &c. 

The sum of $2500 voted for the support of the poor the ensuing 
year. 

1834. The following accounts audited : 

Bangor, $544-39 " Duane, $341-41 

Bellmont, 755-93 Fort Covington, 528-09 

Bombay, 441-95 Maloue, 723-85 

Brandon, 449-98 Moira, 392-33 

Chateaugay, 79939 Westville, 346'50 

Constable, 311-80 County charges, 5690-76 

Dickinson, 449-47 

A similar sum for the support of the poor, and for roads and bridges, 
as on the previous year. 

1835. The following accounts audited : 

Bangor, $618-84 

Bellmont, 765-76 

Bombay, 636-07 

Brandon, 428-75 

Chateaugay, 758-22 

Constable, 316-16 

County charges, $6035-48. 

The customary vote of $1000 for bridges, &c., passed. 

1836. At a special meeting held August 25, 1836, it was resolved that 
an additional bounty of $10 be raised for the destruction of wolves, and 
$5 for that of wolf whelps. 

1S36. At the annual session the following accounts audited: 



Dickinson, 


$489-34 


Duane, 


351-28 


Fort Covington, 


491-29 


Malone, 


701-31 


Moira, 


407-26 


Westville, 


370-89 



Bangor, 


$591-29 




Franklin, 


$339-40 


Bellmont, 


654-83 




Dickinson, 


539-30 


Bombay, 


559-34 




Duane; 


339-30 


Brandon, 


469-58 




Fort Covington, 


580-39 


Chateaugay, 


991-64 




Malone, 


1,365-77 


Constable, 


320-87 




Moira, 


913-56 


Westville, 


434-84 






V 




County chi 


irges, 


$6,213-62 




,000 voted for br 


idges, $1,500 for the poor. 




37. The following accounts audited : 




Bangor, 


$559-95 




Duane, 


$319-66 


Bellmont, 


681-75 




Fort Covington, 


, 613-42 


Bombay, 


589-08 




Franklin, 


626-63 


Brandon, 


512-17 




Malone, 


1,358-89 


Chateaugay, 


724-29 




Moira, 


470-00 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 229 

Constable, 29874 Westville, 320-54 

Dickinson, 468-58 

County charges, $7,013-75 

1838. Accounts audited by the board : 

Bangor, $710-20 Duane, $359-62 

Belltnont, 498-25 Fort Covington, 637-03 

Bombay, 536-00 Franklin, 642-77 

Brandon, 553-55 Malone, 1,614-59 

Ghateaugay, 1,208-72 Moria, 368-42 

Constable, 512-93 Westville, " 494C6 

Dickinson, 596-27 

County charges, $6,122-61 

$2,500 voted for the support of the poor ; $500 to repair the poor house. 

The superintendents empowered to purchase, if thought advisable, a 
tract of land adjoining the poor house. 

$300 of the sum above, voted for repairs of poor house to be applied 
for the support of the poor. 

1839. The following accounts audited : 



Bangor, 


$697-85 


Duane, 


$359-48 


Bellmont, 


756-59 


Fort Covington, 


, 871-63 


Bombay, 


504-68 


Franklin, 


719-18 


Brandon, 


418-86 


Malone, 


1,392-21 


Chateaugay, 


748-49 


Moria, 


587-51 


Constable, 


554-88 


Westville, 


521-57 


Dickinson, 


635-45 








County charges. 


$8000-75 




). The followir 


ig accounts were audited : 




Bangor, 


$673-01 


Duane, 


$386-34 


Bellmont, 


1,035-27 


Fort Covington, 


, 623-01 


Bombay, 


734-30 


Franklin, 


446-96 


Brandon, 


583-29 


Malone, 


1,137-50 


Chateaugay, 


694-70 


Moira, 


615-62 


Constable, 


274-23 


Westville, 


457-58 


Dickinson, 


621-44 







County charges, $5,025*00 
$2,500 voted for the support of the poor. 
1841. The following accounts were audited: 



Bangor, 
Bellmont, 


$707-26 
919-91 


Bombay, 
Brandon, 


612.49 

577-97 


Chateaugay, 
Constable, 


827-00 
54531 


Dickinson, 


598-83 



Fort Covington, $569-74 
tlarrietstown, 3-28-98 



Malone, 


1,17319 


Moira, 


498-88 


Westville, 


449-93 


Franklin, 


738-21 


Duane, 


360-75 



County charges, $6,179*85 
$2,500 voted for the support of the poor. 

$3,679 voted to defray the expense of courts, repairing court house, and 
other'oontingent expenses. 



230 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



1842. The following accounts were audited: 



Banoror, 


$486-35 


Fort Covington, 


$732-45 


Bellrnont, 


1,029-28 


Franklin, 


516-45 


Bombay, 


740-88 


Harrietstown, 


362-54 


Brandon, 


338-02 


Malone, 


964-15 


Chateau gay, 


1,133-62 


Moira, 


373-95 


Constable, 


512-20 


Westville, 


380-41 


Dickinson, 


652-09 


Duane, 


397-69 



Constable, 


$354-67 


Dickinson, 


698-02 


Duane, 


335-08 


Fort Covington, 


724-85 


Franklin, 


484-96 


Moira, 


453-30 


Westville, 


322-28 



County Charges, $6,410-00 

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this board, that all those who have 
demands against the county, ought not to demand any better currency 
than the current money of Lower Canada. 

A petition of the board was forwarded praying the legislature to ap- 
propriate a part of the tolls of the military road, for the construction of 
a bridge in Cbateaugay. 

1843. The following accounts were audited: 

Bangor, $742-10 

Bellrnont, 567-73 

Bombay, 759-21 

Brandon, 492-87 

Chateaugay, 1,078-55 

Harrietstown, 613*96 

Malone, 1,167-35 

County charges, $7,092-51 

The vote concerning Canada money again passed. 

1844. The board proceeded to audit the following accounts. 

Bangor, 

Bellmont, 

Bombay, 

Brandon, 

Chateaugay, 

Constable, 

Dickinson, 

Duane, 

Resolution concerning Canada currency, renewed. 

A special session was held, June 16, 1845, in consequence of the loss 
of the poor house building by fire. 

The board proceeded to consider the expediency of abolishing the 
poor house system, and a committee of six was appointed to collect in- 
formation on the subject. 

Without any formal report from the above committee, it was resolved, 
that the superintendents of the poor be required to erect a good and sub- 
stantial barn, on the poor house farm, and subsequently authorized the 
erection of a poor house of the same size, and on the same site of the 
former one. 



$739-28 


FBurke, 


551-42 


782-49 


Fort Covington, 


$879-45 


495-19 


Franklin, 


464-03 


381-60 


Harrietstown, 


247-39 


679-99 


Malone, 


114321 


357-78 


Moira, 


410-53 


705-69 


Westville, 


605-30 


458-58 






County Charges 


, $8,05611 





AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



231 



The board resolved to petition tije legislature at its next session to 
abolish the existing poor house systeita in the county. 
1845. The board audited the following as town accounts. 



Bangor, 


$751,35 


Duane, 


360-34 


Bellraont 


517,89 


Fort Covington, 


915-96 


Bombay, 


747,85 


Franklin, 


429-17 


Brandon, 


309,95 


Harrietstown, 


373-27 


Burke, 


594,54 


Malone, 


1041-87 


Chateau gay. 


619,72 


Moira, 


467-70 


Constable, 


373,13 


Westville, 


621-36 


Dickinson, 


$40-426 








County accounts. 


, $7 560-29. 





In addition to the above, the board audited separate accounts against 
the several towns of sums varying from about $25 to $60. 

Votes iu relation to Canada currency again passed. The board voted 
to petition for the abolition of the distinction between the town and 
county poor. 

1846. The foUowmg accounts were audited by the several town 
boards. 

Bancror, $665-99 Duane, $337-24 

Bellmont, 609-97 Fort Covington, 611-38 

Bombay, 700-90 Franklin, 442-29 

Brandon, 517'03 Harrietstown, 369-09 

Burke, .594-06 Malone, 1112-04 

Chateaugay, 528-32 Moira, 465-11 

Constable, 560-33 WestviUe, 53428 

Dickinson, 435-39 

County charges, $5401-04 

At an extra session held May 25, for the purpose of fixing the salary 
of the county judge, it was established at $600. 

1847. The following accounts were audited by the several town 
boards. 



Bangoi-, 

Bellmont, 

Bombay, 

Brandon, 

Burke, 

Chateaugay, 

Constable, 

Dickinson, 



$651-36 Duane, $276-37 

531-52 Fort Covington, 838-52 

678-91 Franklin, 494-50 

414-03 Harrietstown, 352-04 

490-39 Malone, 1030-64 

514 60 Moira, 459-43 

639-11 Westville, 602-92 
533-24 
County charges, $,5676*49. 

Voted in fever of abolishing the office of superintendent of common 
schools. 

1848. The foUo^ving accounts were audited by the several town 

boards. 

Bangor, $702-87 Duane, $396-76 
Bellmont, 525-88 



Fort Covington, 905-47 



232 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



Bombay, 


807-35 


Franklin, 


497-66 


Braiidou, 


43075 


Ilanietstown, 


362-08 


Burke, 


393-00 


Malone, 


1379-29 


Cliateaugay, 


59293 


Moira, 


45701 


Constable, 


592-66 


Westville, 


683-61 


Dickinson, 


554.60 








County charges 


$5465-74 





1849. The following accounts were audited by the several town 
boards. 



Bangor, 


$691.93 


Duane, 


$178-66 


Beilinont, 


493-32 


Fort Covington, 


971-88 


Bombay, 


787-25 


Franklin, 


508-16 


Burke, 


568.66 


Harrietstown, 


353-25 


Brandon, 


445-03 


Maloue. 


1363-93 


Chateaugay, 


530-90 


Moira, 


583-27 


Constable, 


458-27 


Westville, 


680-81 


Dickinson, 


608.61 







County charges $7988-77 

$400 levied upon the town of Moira, for the purpose of erecting a 
town house. The sum to be divided between two years. ^ 

The board at this session passed the following laws : 

"An act for the preservation of deer and fsh.'" This law provides that 
a penalty of $5, should be i-equired for the killing of any wild buck, doe, 
or fawn, at any time during the months of January, February, Mai'ch, 
April, May, June or July. 

The fact of exposing for sale any green deerskin or fresh venison, 
or having the same in his possession, during the above months, was to 
be deemed a violation of this law, unless the person having the same in 
his possesion, should be able to prove that the animals to which they be- 
longed, were killed by some ather person. Complaint is to be made to a 
justice of the peace, who may issue a warrant for search for fresh veni- 
son, or deerskins. 

No person was allowed to kill any wild buck, doe or fawn, in the town 
of Duane, during three years from January 1, 1850, 

No person allowed to kill the above animals in Franklin, Dickinson, 
Brandon or Harrietstown, except in September, October and Novembei-. 

Hunting any wild buck, doe or fawn, at any time with dogs or hounds, 
forbidden. 

The taking of fish of any description, at any time with a seine or net 
in any lake or pond in the county of Franklin, in the south of townships 
Nos. 5 and 7, of Macomb's purchase, great lot number 1, and of town 
ship number 7, of the old military tract, or in any streams coming into 
or connecting said ponds or lakes, was forbidden under a penalty of $5. 
Tho same penalty for setting any trap, or spear for deer at any time. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



233 



The above penalties were to be prosecuted and recovered by the over- 
seers of the poor of the town where the offence may be committed, and 
an action to be vahd must be commenced within three months fi-om the 
commission of the offence. This act took effect January 1, 1850. 

The board passed an act, November 20, 1849, providing for a bounty of 
$15 to be paid for the destruction of wolves, and half that sum for wolf 
whelps, and $5 for every panther. 

One half of* all bounties for the destruction of noxious animals, is to be 
charged to the treasurer of the state. The usual precautions were to be 
observed by persons granting these certificates, that certificates be granted 
to none but those entitled to receive them, according to the true intent 
and meaning of the act. 

1850. The following accounts were audited by the several town boards : 

Bangor, $471-65 
Bellmont, 446-80 

Bombay, 637-91 

Brandon, 219-09 

Burke, 631-64 

Chateauffay, 66802 

Constabfe, 409-24 . 

Dickinson, 584-89 

County charges, $9,505-13 

The member of assembly from this county, requested by the board to 
use his influence to procure the repeal of the act providing for the 
registration of births, deaths and marriages, and of the present militia 
system, 

$500 appropriated for the erection of a new clerk's office, and William 
Andrus and Joseph R. Flanders, appointed a committee for superintend- 
ing the building of the same. 

1851. The following accounts were audited by the several town boards : 



Duane, 


$364-99 


Fort Covington 


741-13 


Franklin 


29940 


Harrietstown, 


344-51 


Malone, 


1,172-15 


Moira, 


580 89 


Westville, 


476-13 



Bangor 


$341-26 


Duane, 


$275-73 


Bellmont, 


416-52 


Fort Covington, 


447-16 


Bombay, 


455-63 


Franklin, 


589-63 


Brandon, 


329-06 


Harrietstown, 


428-55 


Burke, 


489-69 


Malone, 


613-22 


Chateaugay, 


450-31 


Moira, 


435-53 


Constable, 


448-37 


Westville, 


449-21 


Dickinson, 


475-32 








County cl 


barges, $7,713-55 





Included in the above, was $1,949-23 for school fund, $1,500 for the 
poor, $1,700 for contingencies, $100 for the deaf^ dumb and blind, and 
$600 for a clerk's office. 

Resolved, That the board will not make any assessment under the 
military act, during this session. 

$1,500 raised for the poor. 



234 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

$600 raised for the clerk's office, erected the previous year. 

Hugh Martin, of Franklin, Guy Meigs, of Malone, and Buel H. Man, of 
Westville, appointed plank road inspectors. 

The treasurer authorized and required, on or after the first day of Oc- 
tober next, to loan on the credit of the county, from the state, $5000, for 
a period not exceeding ten years, payable in installments as the board of 
supervisors may direct, the interest not to exceed six per cent, payable 
annually, for the repair aud lowering of the court house, and for the con- 
struction of a new jail and jailor's house, between the court house and 
clerk's office, and to be dxpended under the direction of a committee of 
three, to be chosen for the pm-pose. 

The wolf bounty reduced to $10. All other bounties repealed. The 
salary of the county judge fixed at $700. 

James Duane, of Duane, William Andrews, of Malone, and H. B. 
Smith, of Chateaugay, appointed a committee to superintend the erection 
of the jail, and repair of the court house, as contemplated in a previous 
resolution. Mr. Smith having asked to be excused from serving on the 
buildmg connnittee, Guy Meigs, of Malone, was appointed in his place. 

In pursuance of this resolution, a very neat and substantial sheriflf s 
house and jail, has been erected between the new clerk's office, and the 
court house, from a design by Mr. F. Pelletier, the draftsman, in the em- 
ployment of the northern railroad company. The material is sandstone, 
from the quarries in Malone, of which we shall have occasion to speak at 
a future time. 

The court house which originally stood on a commanding eminence, 
has been lowered to the level of the other buildings. 

The return for 1852, were received too late for insertion. Our object 
in laying before the reader the foregoing statistics, was to show that in 
numerous instances, the town expenses have been disproportionate to 
the population and wealth of the respective towns. At this session, the 
spearing of fish in any of the waters, &c., of Nos. 4,5, 6, 7, and in No. 7 
mile tract, or fishing with seines, nets or night lines in the same, was for- 
bidden under a penalty of $15. This act was to take effect Jan. 1, 1853. 
The killing of deer in Duane, forbidden. The sum of $100 voted for 
clothing 5 pupils in the Deaf and Dumb Institute, ]\. ^ "id $156 for 
supporting 2 insane persons, in the state asylum. $500 raiseo m Burke, 
for a town hous j. Salary of the district attorney $400, payable quarterly. 
A strong remonstrance against the militia law, passed. $2,649*44, raised 
for schools. $1000 for lowering and repairing court house. 

The amount of county charges audited, $1 1,000. Expenses of session, 
$683-88. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 235 



CHAPTER IV. 




HISTORY OF THE LAND TITLES. 

HE title of lands, by an established law recognized by all 
civilized nations, is naturally vested in the primitive occu- 
pants, and can not be taken from them justly, without their 
consent. 

" The law of occupancy, or the taking possession of those things 
which belong to nobody," says Blackstone * " is the true ground and 
foundation of all property, or of holding those things in severality, which 
by the law of nature, unqualified by that of society, were common to 
all mankind. But when once it was agreed, that everything capable of 
ownership, should have an owner, natural reason suggested that he who 
should first declare his intention of appropriating any thing to his own 
use, and in consequence of such intention, actually took it into possess- 
ion, should thereby gain the absolute property of it." 

The manner in which the primitive title to soil wal extinguished, 
has been detailed in our second chapter. Soon after the revolution, there 
began to be evinced a strong tendency for the extension of the settle- 
ments, to which the newly acquired fi-eedom gave an impulse before 
unknown. As a natural consequence, this led to a series of specula- 
tions, on a scale proportionate to the) progressive movement; and it will 
be noticed that many of those who engaged in these operations, had 
been associated in the camp, and had thus acqnired by fi-equent contact, 
that familiarity with each others character, and that degree of mutual 
confidence, which led to the exercise of trust, and reliance upon honor, 
in many of the negotiations, which they carried on, to an extent, un-, 
known at the present day. 

But little was known of the country at the time of purchase, beyond 
that which lay on the border of the St. Lawrence river. Previous to the 
revolutionaiy war, an extensive portion of the state, on the Hudson and 
Mohawk rivers, and to a great distance on each side of these, had been 
granted in patents by the English crown, and surveyed. The most 
northern of these was " Totten's and Crossfield's purchase," which 
forms the southern boundary of our two counties. 

This was purchased at the request and expense of Joseph Totten, and 

• Commentaries on the laws of England. Book 2, chap. 16. 



236 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Stephen Crossfield and others, from the Mohawk and Canajoharie tribes 
of Indians, at Johnson's Hall, in Tryon county, in tlie month of July 5 
1773. It was described as lying on the west side of Hudson river, and 
contained by estimation aVjout 800,000 acres of land.* 

This is believed to have been subsequently confirmed by a Royal 
grant. 

The surveyors employed in running out the tract, found it a ragged 
and inhospitable wilderness, and the fuither north they went the worse 
they found it, from which it was inferred that the whole northern 
country was of the same character.f 

In a map of Canada and the north part of Louisiana, in Jeffex'y's 
French Dominions in America, the counti-y north of this tract, is de- 
scribed as the "rfeer hunting grounds of the Iroquois. Map No. 74, in 
Delisle's Atlas of 1785, (state library,) names it and the north of Vermont 
*' Irocoisia" or the land of the L'oquois, and in an old map, republished 
in the 4th volnme of tlie Documentary History of the state, it is called, 
Coughsagrage, or the beaver hunting country of the Six Nations. 
Across our two counties is written the following sentence : 

"Through this tract of Land, runs a Chain of Mountains, which from 
Lake Champlain on one side, and the River St. Lawrence on the other 
side, shew their tops always white with snow, but altho this one unfa- 
vorable circumstance, has hitherto secured it from the claws of the 
Harpy Land Jobbers, yet no doubt it is as fertile as the Land on the East 
side of the Lake, and will in future furnish a comfortable retreat for 
many Industrious Families. 

A desire to promote the settlement of the state, led the legislature to 
Sake early measures for bringing into market the unpatented lands. 

An act was passed, May 5, 1786, entitled " an act for the speedy sale 
of the unappropriated lands of the state," creating land commissioners, 
and empowering them to dispose of such unsold lands as they might see 
proper, within the limits of the state. The outlines of the tracts were 
first to be run into townships of 64,000 acres, as nearly square as circum- 
stances would permit. Each township was to be subdivided into mile 
square lots, to be mmibered in arithmetical progression, from first to last, 
and on every fourth township was to be written, '■'to be sold by single lots." 
The maps so numbered and lotted, were to be filed in the secretary's 
ofiice, and the original thereof in the surveyor general's office ; 

"And the said secretary and surveyor general respectively, shall cause 
maps so to be filed, to be put up in some conspicuous part of their re- 
spective offices, and shall permit any person whatever, freely to inspect 
such maps, between the hours of nine and twelve in the morning, and 
three and six in the afternoon in every day, Sundays only excepted, on 

* See MSS., Council Minutes, vol. 31, p 31. 

t On the authority of Henry E Pierrepoht, Esq , ef Brooklyn 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 237 

paying for inspecting in morning six -pence, and the like in the after- 
noon. 

Advertisement for the sale of these lands at public vendue, was to be 
duly given. The surveyor general was to put up as nearly as might be, 
one quarter part of the unappropriated and unreserved lands in every 
township, in lots contiguous to each other, and sell them to the highest 
bidder; reserving five acres out of every hundred for roads, but not sell- 
ing any land for a less price than one shilling an acre. 

The first, and every fourth township, was to be sold in single lots. 
One fourth of the purchase money was to be paid down, and the re- 
mainder was due within sixty days. 

In every township the surveyor general was directed to mark one lot 
*^ gospel and schools" and another ^^ for promoting littraiure^'' which lot& 
were to be as nearly central as may be. The former was reserved for 
the support of the gospel and schools in the town, but the latter was re- 
served for promoting literature within the state. 

The land commissioners were directed to designate each township 
which they might lay out. by such name as they might deem proper, and 
such name was to be respectively mentioned in the letters patent, for 
granting a township or part of a township. 

It was made a condition that there should be an actual settlement 
made for every six hundred and forty acres, which may be granted to 
any person or persons, within seven years from the first day of January 
next, after the date of the patent by which such lands shall be granted 5 
in failure of which the lands would revert to the people of the state. 

Accordingly, in pursuance of powers vested in them, the board above 
created, on the 25th of May, 1787, passed the following resolution : 

" Resolved, Tliat the surveyor general be, and he is hereby required and 
directed, to lay down, on a map, two ranges of townships for sale, each 
township to contain as nearly as may be 64,000 acres, and as nearly in a 
square as local circumstances will permit, and to subdivide each town- 
ship into lots, as neai-iy square as may be, and each lot to contain 640. 
acres, as nearly as may be. 

That each range contain five townships adjoining each other, and one 
of the said ranges to be bounded on the River St. Lawrence, and the 
said ten townships to be laid out within the following limits and bounds, 
to wit: 

Between a line to be run S. 28° E., from a point or place on the south- 
ern bank of the River St. Lawrence, bearing S. 28° E. from the N. W, 
end of the Isle au Long Saut, and a line parallel with the said first line, 
and also to run frotn the south bank of the said river, and the said paral- 
lel lines to be distant fifty miles from each other, and that the said sur- 
veyor general advertise the said townships, and pi'oceed to the sale there- 
of, agreeable to law, and that two of the said townships be sold in single 
lots." 

(Land Office Minutes, vol. i, p. 256.) 



233 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The value of this tract was then but little known, and of the position 
and courses of lakes and streams, there was scarcely more knowledge 
than we now possess of Central Africa. The shores of the river were 
well known, and served as a guide in the laying out of the ten towns. 

Accordingly, in pursuance of the statute, the following advertisement 
appeared in the papers. We copy from the Mbany Gazette of June?, 
1787: 

By virtue of an act of the Legislature entitled ' An act for the speedy 
sale of the unappropriated lands within this state, and for other pur- 
poses therein mentioned,' passed the 5th of May, 1786, and pursuant to 
a resolution of the Honorable the Commissioners of the Land Office:— 

TEN TOWNSHIPS OF UNAPPROPRIATED LANDS, 

On the southeast side of the River St. Lawrence, will be sold at Pub- 
lic Vendue, at the Coffee House in the City of New York. The sale to 
commence on Tuesday, the 10th of Jult next, at XI o'clock, in the fore- 
noon. Maps are filed for inspection in the offices of the Secretary of 
the State, and Surveyor General. 

The fourth and eighth Townships, will be sold by single Lots, the rest 
by Quarters of Townships. 

Such securities as are made receivable by law on the sales of forfeited 
iands, will be received in payment. The one Quarter of the Purchase 
Money on the day of sale, and the remainder within sixty days after. ' 

_ i~Q~ Simeon Dewitt, 

June, 1787. Surveyor General. 

The names of the ten townships were established by a formal reso- 
lution of the commissioners of the land office, Sept. 10, 1787,* and with 
their corresponding numbers were as follows: 

1. Louisville. 6. Canton. 

2. Stockholm. 7. Dekalb. 

3. Potsdam. 8. Oswegatchie. 

4. Madrid. 9. Hague. 

5. Lisbon. 10. Cambray. 

They have been known by these names exclusively, and not by their 
numbers. All but the last two, are still retained. No. 9 was changed 
to Morristown, and No. 10 to Gouverneur. Three new towns have since 
been formed of these, viz: Macomb, from Gouverneur and Morristown; 
Depeyster, from Dekalb and Oswegatchie; and Norfolk, from Stockholm 
and Louisville. 

A part of Hague has also been attached to Hammond, and of Dekalb 
to Hermon. 

In accordance with the law, and previous advertisement, an auction 
sale took place at the Merchant's Coffee-house, in the city of New York, 
at the time advertised, at which the ten towns were offered for sale, in 

• Land Office Minutes, vol, i, p. 264. Secretary's office. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES.* 239 

quarters, except Oswegatchie and Madrid, which were sold in mile 
squares. 

The obvious intention of the law in causing these lands to be offered 
in small parcels, was to afford an opportunity for those of limited means 
to compete at the sales; but this intention was defeated by a previous 
agreement, it is said, among the purchasers, in which they delegated one 
of their number to bid, and agreed to not compete in the sale. 

The principal purchaser was Alexander Macomb, who subsequently 
acted a distinguished part in the northern land purchases. 

Mr. Macomb had, for many years, resided in Detroit, and is said to 
have been a fur trader. 

In the course of his business, he had often passed up and down the 
St. Lawrence, and thus became acquainted with the general aspect and 
probable value of the lands, and better qualified to engage in these pur- 
chases, than most of his associates. 

To cover the private agreement, certain persons were employed to bid 
for Macomb, and the lots so sold were subsequently conveyed to him be- 
fore patenting. In this manner, lots Nos. 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21, in 
Madrid, were bid off by Michael Connoly ; lots Nos. 47, 56 and 57, in 
the same town, by John Meyers ; lots Nos. 48 and 49, in the same town, 
by Daniel McCormick; lots Nos. 18 and 19, in Oswegatchie, by John 
Meyers ; and lot No. 23, in the same, by Thomas McFarren, and after- 
ward made over to Macomb.* 

The ten townships were sold as follows, to the original patentees, 
lots Nos. 55, 56 were not included in the first patents, but were sold 
long after. 

Reference is made to the volume and page of patents, in the office of 
the secretary of state, where they are recorded. The quarters were 
numbered as follows: No. 1, the northeast; No. 2, the southeast; No. 3, 
the southwest; and No. 4, the northwest quarters. The gospel and 
school lot (No. 55), usually came out of No. 3, and the literature lot 
(No. 56), out of No. 2. As these towns were designated to be each ten 
miles square, the full quarters (1 and 4) would contain 16,000 acres, and 
the smaller quarters (2 and 3) 15,360 acres. 

It may be proper here to notice, that the reserve for roads has seldom 
or never been regarded by subsequent purchasers, or made a condition 
in their deeds. The reserves of gold and silver mines, have, of course, 
proved superfluous. 

1. Louisville, patented in quarters, to Alexander Macomb, on the 17th 
of December, 1787 (b. 20, p. 64). 

*Land Office Minutes, vol. ii, p. 4. 



240 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The literature lot was patented to Erastus Hall, January 18, 1833 (b. 
32, p. 10). 

A tier of lots numbered from 1 to 12, along the St. Lawrence, sold 
June 4, 1788, to John Taylor (b. 20, p. 311, 322). 

These contained 500 acres each. 

2. Stockholm was patented in quarters, to Alexander Macomb, Dec. 
17, 1787 (b. 20, p. 68 to 70). 

Tlie literature lot was sold to Heni-y Foster, September 25, 1834 (b, 
32, p. 265). 

3. Potsdam was patented in quarters, to Alexander Macomb, Dec. 17. 
1787 (b. 50, p. 72, 75). 

4. Madrid was sold in lots of 640 acres, or one mile square each, as 
follows : 

1 to 6, to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, June 4, 1788 (b. 20, p. 332). 
7 to 49, to Alexander Macomb, but on difterent dates, viz: 

7 to 10. Dec. 17, 1787 (b. 20, p. 96-99). 

11. Aprill9, 1788( " 267). 

12. Dec. 17, 1787 ( " 100). 
13_14, April 19, 1788 ( " 268-9). 

15. Dec. 17, 1787 ( " 101). 

16. April 19, 1788 ( " 270). 
17_]8. " " ( " 271-2). 

19. Dec. 17, 1787 1 " 101). 

20— 21. April 19, 1788 ( « 273-4). 

22 to 30. Dec. 17, 1797 ( " 104-112). 

31 to 46. Dec. 20, 1787 ( " 112-127). 

47 to 49. April 19, 1787 ( " 275-277). 

51. Literature lot sold to Thomas Peacock, March 24, 1837 (b. 33, 

p. 226). 

52 to 95, to Alexander Macomb, but at different times, as follows : 

52 to 55. Dec. 20, 1787 (b. 20, p. 128-131). 

56— 57. April 19, 1788 ( " 278-9). 
58 to 86. Dec. 20, 1787 ( " 132-160). 
87 to 95. Dec. 22, 1787 ( " 161-169). 

The river lots of 500 acres each, numbered from 12 to 17, sold to John 
Taylor, June 4, 1788 (b. 20, p. 322). 

6. Canton, was patented in quarters to Alexander Macomb, Dec. 16, 
1787, (b. 20, p. 80, 83). The literature lot was conveyed to the trustees, 
of Lowville Academy, Nov. 20, 1818 (b. 26, p. 678). 

7. Dekalb, was patented in quarters to Macomb, Dec. 17, 1787, (b. 20 
p. 84, 87). The gospel and sch6ol lot wns subdivided and sold in small 
lots to individuals between 1829 and 1836. 

The literature lot, was subdivided and sold in small parcels to in- 
dividuals, between 1829 and 1834. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 241 

8. Oswegatchie, was patented in mile squares, as follows : 

1 to 9, to Alexander Macomb, Dec. 22, 1787, (b, 20, p. 170, 175), 

10, to Henry Remsen, Jun. Oct. 15, 1787, (b. 20, p. 55). 
11 to 12, (the latter of 1160 acres) to John Taylor, June 4, 1788 (b. 20, 
p. 328). 
13, to Henry Remsen, Jun., Oct. 15, 1787 (b. 20, p. 56). 
500 acres at the mouth of Oswegatchie river, to John Taylor, 
April 22, 1789, (b. 21, p. 178'). 
14 to 15, (1700 acres) to John Taylor, June 4, 1788 )b. 20, p. 329). 
16 to 17, to Henry Remsen, Jun., Oct. 15, 1787 (b. 20, p. 54, 58). 
18 to 53, to Alexander Macomb, Dec. 22, 1787 (b. 20, p. 180, 201). 

54, « " Dec. 24, 1787 (b. 20, p. 210). 

57 to 100, " " Dec. 24, 1787 (b. 20, p. 211,244). 

500 acres to John Taylor, April 22, 1789 (b. 21, p. 178). 

9. Hague, was patented in quarters to Macomb, Dec. 17, 1787, (b. 20, 
p. 88, 91). 

The greater part of the gospel and school lots of this town came in 
Black Lake. 

10. Cambray, was patented in quarters to Alexander Macomb, Dec. 
17, 1787 (b. 20, p. 92). 

On the 4th of July, 1788, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, conveyed to Ma- 
comb, for £275, lots No. 1 to 6, in Madrid, and 10 and 11, in Lisbon, 
('See's office. Deeds, b. 2, 4, p. 305.) 

On the same date Taylor sold his lands to Macomb, containing 10,830 
acres, for £580. These were lots No. 1 to 11 in Louisville, containing 
5,500 acres; No. 12, in Madrid and Louisville, of 500 acres; No. 13 to 17, 
in Madrid, containing 2,500 acres; and No. 11 to 15, in Oswegatchie, 
containing 2,330 acres, (b. 24, p. 307.) 

On the 5th of April, 1788, Henry Remsen, conveyed to Macomb, for 
£120, the four lots he had bid off in Oswegatchie. 

Macomb thus became the nominal owner of nearly the whole of the 
ten towns. 

On the 16th of April, 1791, he appointed Gouverneur Morris, then in 
France, his attorney, to sell any portions of the ten towns which he 
might deem proper, excepting a tract in Lisbon previously sold.* 

So far as our information extends, no sales were made by virtue Of 
this power. 

By an instrument executed May 3, 1792, Macomb conveyed to Samuel 
Ogdeu, in trust for himself. Gen. Henry Knox, Robert, Morris, and 
Gouverneur Morris, four of his associates, for the consideration of £3,200, 



• See Deeds, b. 23, p. 148. Secretary's office. 



242 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the four townships of Hague, Camhray, Oswegatchie, and Dekalb, with 
the stipulation that Ogden should convey to H. Knox, 44,114 acres; to 
R. Morris, 60,641 acres, and to Gouverneur Morris, 60,641 acres of this 
tract.* 

In 1792, Macomb became involved by transaction with Wm. Duen 
Isaac Whippo, and others of New York,f by which he was compelled to 
assign his interest in a tract of land of 1920,000 acres, for the benefit of 
his creditors, to William Edgar and Daniel McCormick. 

On the same date with the foregoing, be sold to Wm. Constable, for 
£1,500, the towns of Madrid, Potsdam, and the west half of Stockholm, 
and Louisville, and to William Edgar, for £12,000, the towns of Lisbon, 
and Canton, excepting a tract in the former, previously sold to John 
Tibbets. The towns of Potsdam and Canton, appear to have been at 
first included in this conveyance, which Edgar in an instrument dated 
Oct. 24, 1793, t acknowledged to have been a deed of trust, and obligated 
himself to recoovey the same to Macomb when required. 

The failure of Macomb, was in some way connected with a bank 
which it was attempted to get established, as a rival of the Bank of New 
York, in 1792. He was very much blamed for the course he took in the 
matter, and on his failure, was lodged in the debtor's prison. It is said 
that even in this retreat he was assailed by a rabble, and owed his 
preservation only to the strength of the building. 

At the time this embarrassment occurred, Macomb was largely 
indebted to Alexander Ellice, and others of London. To satisfy this 
debt, he had conveyed on the 6th of June, 1792, the towns of Lisbon, 
Canton, Madrid and Potsdam, with the west half of Lousville an d 
Stockholm, but Ellice disclaimed this transfer, and quit claimed his 
title to the conveyance. 

The following is a brief summary of the transfers of the several towns 
of the first purchases, so far as we have been able to obtain it. 

LouivsiLLE. — We have shown how Constable became the owner of 
the west half of this town. 

James Constable, John McVickar, and Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, execu- 
tors of Wm. Constable, on the 15th of Dec. 1803, conveyed 2854 acres in 
a square at the S. W. corner to Gouverneur Morris, excepting parts 
previously sold.§ 

G. Morris, Jun., received the above by will from his fathei*, and this is 
called the Morris Tract, at the village of Norfolk. At one period it was 

» Deeds, b. 24, p. 309, Sec'. Office. 

t Recital in a conveyance of Oct. 10, 1792. Deeds, b. 24, p. 437. Sec'. Office. 

J ib. b. 26, p. 42. 

^ Clerk's OiBce, Deeds, b. 2, p 149. 



I 

AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 243 

owned by Leray, aud a part was afterwards ixircliased by Russell 
Attwater. 

The remainder of the west half of the town was conveyed by Wm. C. 
to Eweretta Constable, Jan, 3, 1803, * James McVickar and Eweretta, 
his wife, conveyed the above to Wm. Stewart, Dec. 4, 1807, who recon- 
veyed it to McVickar, Dec. .5, 1807.t The latter, Aug. 16, 1816, deeded 
lots, 58, 59, 60, 68, 69, 70, 78, 79, 80, 88, 89, 90, to Henry McVickar, t 
who by will conveyed it to Edward McVickar. 

The remainder of the west half of Louisville became the property of 
the McVickar families. The southern half of No. 16, 17, and the 
whole of 26, 27, 36,37, became the property of John Jay, who married 
a daughter of Wm. Constable. This is called the Jay Tract, 

The east half of Louisville and Stockholm, were conveyed June 2, 
1792, by Macomb to Wm. Edgar, W^m. Laight and John Lamb, in trust, 
to be divided as follows: To Edgar, 30,618 acres; to Laight, 111,27 acres; 
to Lamb, 22,255 acres.§ 

VAgav sold his share April 3, 1795, to Nicholas Low, John Delafield and 
Josiah Ogden Hoffman, for $30,618. The latter, July 15, 1797, sold 5,103 
acres to Elkanah Watson. 

To divide their lauds, the proprietors entered into a contract in August 
1798, with Amos Lay, to survey it, and subdivide the lots by three quali- 
ties. Macomb also agreed with him, for a similar survey of the west 
half. 

The survey having been made, and a deficiency being found, this was 
proportionally divided among the several proprietors, and they drew by 
lot for their tracts, Feb. 18, 1799. 

Mr. Lay received for his survey and maps of Louisville, the sum of 
$500, and a further sum of $70, for cutting a road through the town. 

In a communication of E. Watson, to the proprietors, accompanying 
the survey, was the remark that a road from Louisville to St. Regis, was 
expected to be completed in May or June, 1799. 

Our space will not admit of a further account of the title of this town- 
ship. 

Stockholm. — The west half of this town was sold by Wm. Constable, to 
John Constable, Jan. 3, 1803,|| and the latter conveyed the same toHeze- 
kiah B. Pierrepont; Sept. 28, 1809.^ 

This was a deed in trust, for P. to settle and sell the lands, to raise 
$45,000, to pay C. The lands remaining unsold, to be divided equally 

* Clerk's Office, b. 1, p. 86. § Deeds, b. 24, p. 2S0, Secy's Office, 

t Clerk's Office, b. 1, p. 322, 323. 11 Clerk's Office, deeds, b. 1, p. So. 

J Clerk's Office, b. 4, p. 806. TT Clerk's Office, b. 2, p. 390. 

16 



244 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

between them. By an agreement dated April 10, 1813,* C. withdraws the 
4tli quarter of the town, which agreement P. signs, P. conveys to D. Mc 
Cormick, the 3d quarter of town, April 14, 1813.t McC conveys back 
the same April 15, 1813. 

By a subsequent deed, John Constable, as heir of Wm. Constable, de- 
ceased, releases with the other heirs of Wm. C, all their interest to H. B. 
Pierrepont. This half of the town has mostly been settled under agents 
of Ilezekiah B. Pierrepont, and his heirs. Henry E. Pierrepont, Esq., of 
Brooklyn, has at present the management of this estate, and of otJier ex- 
tensive tracts, in Franklin, St. Lav»'rence, Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego 
counties, which form a part of the Macomb purchases. 

Of the eastern half oftiiis town we have been unable to obtain the 
chain of title. Edward W. Laight, Samuel Reynolds, Wm Onderdonk, 
Richard Gouverneur, Nicholas Low and others, were concerned in the 
early transfers. 

Potsdam. — Macomb, by way of Edgar to Constable, as above. The 
latter by deed, dated Nov. 18, 1802, J conveyed to Garret Van Home, 
David M. Clarkson, and their associates, "as joint tenants, and not as 
tenants in common," the town except 2 miles wide, ontheN. W. side. G. 
Van Home conveyed the above by deed of trust, on the 9lh of April, 
1821, § excepting parts previously sold to Matthew Clarkson, to be con- 
veyed to the following ])roprietors, in separate parcels, and by separate 
deeds, viz: Levinus Clarkson, Hermon Le Ray, JVicholas Fish, John C. 
Clarkson, Garret Fan Home, Wm. Bayard, the executors ofJas. McEvers, 
deceased, Thos. S. Clarkson, Levinus Clarkson ami G. Van Home. 

On April 10, 1821, M. Clarkson, as such trustee, executes conveyances 
of separate lots and parts of lots, in said town, to said persons. 

All subsequent titles in this town (except the 2 mile strip) have been 
derived from the foregoing proprietors. 

The strip by the side of Madrid, was divided into two tracts, of which 
the western is called the Ogden Trad, and the eastern the Le Roux Trad. 
The latter was sold to Charles Le Roux, by Constable, April 30, 1802. 
Le Roux died in 1810, and in his will directed that this should be sold by 
his executors, (John Doughty, Charles L. Ogden and Thos. L. Ogden,) 
as expeditiously as found convenient. 

These executors deeded it June 26, 1811, || toDavid A., and Gouverneur 
Ogden, as joint tenants in fee simple. The latter by deed, Oct. 2, 1623, IT 
conveyed to Joshua W^addington and Thomas L. Ogden, who, Nov. 1, 
1824,** conveyed to Waddington. 

* lb. b. 3, p. 488. 1! ClerlS^ce, b. 3, p. 293, 6. 

t Ib.b. 3, p. 400, 902. U Clerk's Office, b.7, p. 442, &o. 

t lb. b. 1, p. 46. ♦* lb. b. 8, p. 17, &c. 
i lb. U 7, p. 51, 76 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 245 

We have not the title of the western tract. 

Madrid.— Maeomb to Edgar, Oct. 24, 1793, as above. Edgar, by a con- 
veyance, dated June 12, 1794, sold to Wm, Constable, the towns of Madrid 
and Potsdam, for five shillings, N. Y. currency.* 

Constable sold to Abraham Ogden, Josiah Ogden Hoffman, David A. 
Ogden and Thomas L. Ogden, tliis town, June 6, 1796, for $60,000.t This 
\yag further confirmed by a deed from Thomas Cooper, master in chan- 
cery, June 30, 1801, to John McVickar,]: who by deed, dated July 10, 
1801,§ conveyed to David A. and Thomas L. Ogden, as tenants in com- 
mon. These brothers, April, 1803, |1 deeded an undivided third of the 
town, to Joshua Waddington. 

On the 29th of June, 1811, these parties executed partition deeds of 
lands, previously contracted and mortgaged.il 

Canton and Lisbon. — Macomb to Edgar, as above. Edgar to Alex- 
ander von Pfister, by deed June 12, 1794, for five shillings. This was 
doublless in trust. In this was excepted a tract of 9,600 acres, sold by 
Macomb to John Tibbets, of Troy, Nov. 20, 1789, for £960.** 

Von Pfister conveyed, March 3, 1795, to Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
Josiah Ogden Hoffman, and Richard Harrison, for £5,068, 16s.ff This 
is said to have been conveyed to them in payment for money loaned. 
On the 21st of January, 1805, Hoffman, by deed, released to Van Rens- 
selaer his interest in the two towns. 

By an agreement between the parties, Harrison retained one-third of 
the eastern part of the tract (about 39,460 acres), and Van Rensselaer the 
remainder (78,932 acres).fl Stephen Van Reiisselaer,§§ by deed dated 
Sept. 13, 1836, conveyed all his estate in these towns to his son Henry 
Van Rensselaer, II II in whom the title of unsold portions is still vested. 

De Kalb. — Macomb to Ogden as above. The subsequent transfers 
we have not obtained. Wm. Cooper, of Cooperstown, subsequently 
purchased the town and commenced its first settlement. After his death 
it was divided up into a number of tracts, among his heirs. 

Oswegatchie was patented by 98 patents as above stated. RIacomb 
to S. Ogden, May 3, 1792, with three other towns. Col. Ogden pur- 
chased the share of Robert Morris, as appears in a deed recorded in the 
secretary's office January, 1793, and conveyed to the others their shares 

* Seuy's Office, deeds, b. 26, p. 41. **Clerk's Office, deeds, b. 3, p. IGO, 

t lb. deeds, b. 28, p. 391. ft Secretary's Office. 

JCIerk'sOffice, b. I,p. 17. ^flj) M Clerk's Office, b. 1, p. 111. 

§ Clerk's Office, b. 1, p. 20. §§ See note D, in this work. 

II lb. b. 1, p 78. 1111 Clerk's Office, deeds, b. 25, p. 4SQ, &c. 

fib. b. 3, p. 191. 



246 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

in the tovvnsliips of Hague and Canibray. On the 29th of Feb., 1808. 
S. Ogdcn conveyed by quit claim, this town to his son David B. Ogden.* 
On the 21st of January, 1847, tiie latter quit claimed to David C. Judsou, 
Esq., of Ogdcnsburghjf with whom are the originjil j)atents. 

Nathan Ford and others purchased large tracts in this town. IJy a 
deed of Aug. 17, 1798, Ogden conveyed to FordJ an undivided half of 
three certain tracts, one of which contained 10,000 acres, and lay south 
of land at the outlet of Black lake. 

The lot of 500 acres, on which stands the village of Ogdensburgh, was 
sold by John Taylor, the patentee, .Tune 13, 1789, to Alexander Macomb, 
for £25. § 

Hague and Cambrat. — To S. Ogden as above; May 3, 1792, endorsed 
in a release from Robert Morris for his })roportion, and an acknowledg- 
ment signed by Gen. Knox of the receii)t of his conveyance, dated May 
23, and June 2G, 1792. 

The portion of the above which came to the share of General Knox, 
lay along the west side of Hague and Cambray, extending from the river 
to the rear line, and was two miles, forty-six chains and twenty-one links 
wide. This is known among early purchases as the Knox Tract, con- 
veyed May 23, 24, 1792. 

It was supposed to contain 32,994 acres, but was afterwards found to 
embrace only 32,748 acres. To make up the deficiency of his 44,114 
acres, lands in Oswegatchie were conveyed to Gen. Knox. 

Henry Knox conveyed the above to Benjamin Walker, June 8, 1792, by 
warranty deed. 

Walker, March 3, 1794, executed an agreement for the sale and ex- 
change of lands with Samuel Ogden, including the Knox tract, for the 
consideration of $16,497. Deeded as promised Dec. 2, 1794. A strip 
three chains, forty-one links, bounded on the north-east corner of the 
60,641 acre tract, was conveyed by 5. Ogden to David Ford, May 27, 
1800. Ford exchanged lands Sept. 19, 1808, with Morris, by which the 
former receives a tract on the east border of the town. 

S. Ogden, March 4, 1795, conveys 20,000 to John Delafield, for £6,000. 
This tract lay near the west border of the town. Feb. 12, 1796, D. sold 
to J. O. Hoffman for $10, one-sixth of this 20,000 acre strip. This stri[) 
was subsequently owned by Messrs. Nicholas Low, John Delafield,|| and 

* Clerk's Office, deeds, b. 2, p. 132. 
tib., B. A. 39, p 676, &c. 

% Oneida Clerk's Office, book B., No. 7, of deeds, Mtf^. 
§ Secretary's Office, deeds, b. 24, p. 3C'S. 

II Delafield was a great operator in financial matters, but was ultimalely unfortunate in his 
speculations. Seixas was a Jew, and lived in New- York. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 247 

— — - Suixas, and the tract was still further divided by lines running from 
tlie St. Lawrence to the rear. Of these the first on the west was subse- 
quently conveyed to Philip Kearnej\ It was 64 chains, 71 links wide, 
and embraced 10,000 acres. A portion of this adjoining the town of 
Rossie, was sold to Mr. Parish. The next strip, 42 chains, 75 links wide, 
%vas jjurchased by Nicholas Low. It embraced 6666*G6 acres. A tract, 
18 chains, 71 links wide, next east of this, embracing half the above 
number of acres, became the property of Nicholas Gouverneur. A strip 
52 chains, 80 links wide, etnbracing 8,000 acres, was sold to Hoff'man 
!ind Ogden; and about 5,000 acres, or a strip 26 chains, 52 links wide, 
constituting the remainder of tlie Knox tract, was conveyed to Col. 
Samuel Ogden. Adjoining the Knox tract, and embracing 20,000 acres, 
was sold by Samuel Ogden to JVm. Constahle, for £1,000, Feb. 24, 1794. 
(Sec^y office, b. mortgages 36, p. 341, ^"c.) 

JVm. Constable to Gouvernew Morris. D3ed of the same 20,000 acre 
strip, November 17, 1798. (Clerk's office, b. JVo. 1, p. 39.) Gouverneur 
Morris acquired of Samuel Ogden, by purchase, a second tract, adjoining 
tije last, embracing 60,641 acres. May 13, 1799. (Clerk's office, b. J\'o. 2, p. 
401.) 

About 9,500 acres remained in these two towns, which Sanmel Ogden 
and Wife conveyed to David B. Ogden, Feb. 29, 1808. (Clerk's office, b. 
jYo. 2, p. 132-3.) 

David B. Ogden conveyed to Gouverneur Morris, July 1, 1808, all that 
was conveyed to him by Samuel Ogden. (Clerk's office, b. JVo. 2, p. 151.) 

Gouverneur Morris's title was subsequently sold to Edwin Dodge, 
David C. Judson, Augustus Chapman, Abraham Cooper, and others, but 
our space will not allow us to give the details. 

The Gospel and School Lots were located iiear the centre of the 
town, and were usually numbers 55 and 56. The former have since 
been sold by the authority of the legislature, who, on the 21st of April, 
1825, passed an act authorizing the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
several towns, at their annual town meeting, to vote directing the whole 
of the income of the gospel and school lots, to be appropriated to the 
schools in town. 

The money received for the sale of these lands, has in most or all 
cases been invested, and the interest arising therefrom applied for the 
annual expenses of schools. 

The literature lot in Canton, was given to the Lowville academy in 
Lewis county, and that of Potsdam, to the St. Lawrence academy, in 
that town. 

The literature lots of Stockholm, Louisville, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, 



248 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Hague, and Cambray, were sold by the surveyor general, in pursuance 
of an act of the legislature, in J832, and the avails placed in the general 
literature fund of the state for the common benefit of the academies and 
colleges under the direction of the regents of the university. 

By an act passed March 23, 1823, the literature lot in Madrid, was ap- 
propriateil to Middlebury academy, in the county of Genesee, and to set- 
tle the boundaries, a law was passed on the 17th of March, 1824, by 
which the E., N. and W. bounds, as surveyed in 1797, were declared the 
bounds of the mile square, and the southern line so ran as to make 640 
acres. Upon receiving a fee simple conveyance of this from the pro- 
prietors, the state released to them their claim to the remainder of the 
township. 

By an act of March 4, 1830, the inhabitants of any of the towns of St. 
Lawrence county having gospel and school lots therein, were authorized 
to apply the rents and profits to the gospel and schools, or either, as the 
people assembled in town meeting might direct. The part applied to 
schools was to be paid to the school commissioners, and that to the gos- 
pel was to be distributed to the diflrerent Christian orders in the ratio of 
i-esident members in full communion with any regularly organized 
church. It is believed that in no instance were the funds applied to the 
latter use. ^ 

Old Military Tract, in Clinton and Franklin Counties. — By 

the same act under which the "ten townships" were sold, (passed 

May 5, 1786). a provision was made for the laying out of a tract of land 

to pay for military services, rendered by persons in the revolutionary 

war. It was as follows: 

" And whereas, by the a(^t entitled, ' An act to prevent grants or loca- 
tions of the lands therein mentioned, passed the 25th day of July, 1782, 
a certain tract of land was set apart ibr the use of such of the inbai)it- 
nnts of this state, as had served in the army of the United States. And 
whereas from sundry circumstances, which have intervened since the 
passage of the said act, the lands intended to be granted, would be of 
little use to the inhabitants having so served; Therefore, Be it enacted, 
hy the authority aforesaid, that the said commissioners shall be and are 
hereby authorized to direct the surveyor general to lay out the following 
tract of land, to wit: Beginning at a certain point, in the north bounds 
of Jessujj's purchase, thirty miles distant from the north east corner of 
two certain tracts of land, granted to Philip Skeene, by letters patent, 
bearing date the sixth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and 
seventy-one, and running thence north, to the north bounds of the state; 
thence easterly along the same twenty miles, thence south to the north 
bounds of Jessup's purchase, aforesaid, continued easterly to the place 
of beginning. All which tract of land, shall on a map thereof, to be 
made l)y the surveyor general, be laid out ^into townships of the ten 
miles square, and each township shall on the said map be numbered, 
and the commissioners shall therefrom, from time to time, devise such 
regulations, for laying out lots, of such dimensions as they shall think 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 249 

proper, for satisfying out of the said tract of lands such claims of all 
swell persons who are or shall be entitled to grants of lands, by virtue of 
the tenth, eleventh and fonrteenth, clauses of the act, entitled 'An act 
for grantinji' certain lands promised to be given as bounty lands by the 
laws of this state, and for other purposes therein mentioned, or snch of 
• tliem as are still unsatisfied, as to tlie said commissioners shall aj)pear 
best calculated to enable the jjcrsons holding such rights, to participate 
as equally as may be in the advantages derived from locating the said 
lands, to which they shall be respectively entitled. Provided, That all 
persons claiming such rights, and who have not already exhibted their 
claims, shall exhibit tlieif respective claims to the said commissioners, on 
or before the first day of January next, or shall be precluded from the 
same." 

Four of the ten townships so set apart constitute the present towns 
of Burke, Chateaugay, Bellmont and Franklin, in Franklin county. 
The causes which led to this were as follows: 

" The frontiers of New York, in 1779, being much exposed to hostile 
incursions of the Indian tribes, who were incited to this by the British, 
it became necessary to provide some efficient mode of defence, and the 
necessity of the state of N«vv York's relying upon her int<M-nal resources, 
became greater, from the failure of the several states to furnish their re- 
spective quotas of troops, for the general defence. The state legisla- 
ture, therefore, proceeded to adopt the measures requisite to bring into 
the field a force sufficient for their purpose, and passed a law, on the 
20th of March, 1781, [ roviding for the enlistment of two regiments for 
the defence of the frontiers. 'The troo[)s thus raised, were to Ite armed, 
subsisted, and paid by the United States, and to continue in service 
three years, unless sooner discharged. 

The faith of the state was pledged to the officers and privates of these 
regiments, that at the end of their eidistment, they or their heirs, should 
receive lands in proportion to their rank. Noncommissione<l officers 
and privates, were to receive five hundred acres, and officers as follows: 

A major general, 5,500 acres; brigadier general, 4,250 acres; colonel, 
2,500; lieut. col. 2,250 acres; major, 2,000 acres; captain and surgeon 
of regiment, 1,500 acres each; chaplain, 2,000 acres; each subaltern 
and surgeon's mate 1,000 acres. The lands were required to be settled 
within three years after the close of the war, or they would become for- 
feited and revert to the state. 

In the following year Col. Lamb's regiment of artillery was raised, 
with the same privileges and bounties as the other regiments. Congress 
also granted lanfis to these soldiers, which were located in the state of 
Ohio. By a subsequent agreement between the state of New York and 
the United States, any soldier relinquishing his claim to his one hundred 
acres in Oiiio, should draw a fid I right of 600 acres in New York, but 
failing to relinquish his right by neglect or otherwise, the 100 acres, over 
the 500, should revert to the state. This gave origin to the term States 
Hundred, once so much used on the military tract. 

A very large tract of land, in the central part of the state, was sur- 
veyed out, to satisfy these claims, and the townships into which it was 
divided, were named after the most illustrious military characters of 
antiquity. 

In May, 1784, commissioners were appointed to settle these claims, 
consisting of the governor, lieutenant governor, the speaker of assembly, 
secretary of state, treasurer and auditor. 



250 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The Indian title to this tract was not then extinguished, and there 
was at the time, some doubt and uncertainty when this could be effected. 

Some of the claimants becoming clamorous, an act was passed by the 
lejiislature, as above stated, authorizing the commissioners of the land 
office, to lay out several townships, where the Indian title had been ex- 
tinguished to satisfy these claimants, and accordingly these lands were 
located in tlie northern part of the state. 

These lands were numbered from south to north, and back, to the 
number of twelve each, containing one hundred square miles. Numbers 
1, 2, ]1, and 12, are in Essex county; numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6, in Clinton 
county, and numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10, in Franklin county. The value of 
these lands compared with those of western New York, becoming known 
to the speculators, who had bouglit up many of the soldier's rights, the 
final settlement of claims was deferred until the Indian titles in the 
center of the state were extinguished." * 

By a resolution of the land commissioners, of June 19, 1786, the sur- 
veyor general was directed to lay out the tract, as indicated in the act.f 

This was accordingly done, but no part of the tract was ever patented to 
military claimants, being sold like the other lands by the commissioners. 

Townships number 6 and 7, the former now in Clinton, and the latter 
in Franklin counties, were patented by the state to James Caldwell, of 
Albany, on the 25th of Feb. 1785, with the usual conditions of patents. 

On the 6th of March, 1785, Caldwell sold to Col. I^cGregor, of New 
York, for £500, currency, the above townships 

On the 19th of December, 1795, Col. McGregor sold to John Lamb, 
William Bell, George Bowne, Joseph Pearsall, Henry Haydock, and 
Edmund Prior, merchants of New York, as tenants in common, but in 
different proportions, of the lands in townships 6 and 7. The tract was 
to be divided into lots, for which the purchasers agreed to ballot, accord- 
ing to their respective interest therein. The following is the list of the 
lots, that fell to the share of each, so far as relates to number 7, or the 
present towns of Chateaugay, Burke, and a small part of Bellmont. 
Col. McGregor drew numbers, 1, 2, 6, to 12, 14, to 21, 23, to 27, 30, 33, 
35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 50, 53, 54, 56, to 59, 61, to 65, 68, 69, 70, 72, 75, 
78, to 81, 84, to 87, and 90. 

John Lamb drew, 76, 71,3, 13, 22, 55, 82, 77. 

William Bell, drew No.'s 43, 32, 66, 20, 75, 36, 52, 60, 313 89. 

George Boune drew 4,73, and 33. 

Joseph Pearsall, drew No.'s 34 and 40, 

Henry Haydock, drew No. 88. 

Edmund Prior, drew No. 5. 

Thomas H. Brantingham, who owned a part of each of these town- 
ships drew lots number 51, 28 and 67, which were conveyed to Col. 
McGregor. 

* See Clarke s History of Oiiondago for further facts, t Land office Minutes, vol. i, p 162. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 251 

These lots subsequently passed through various hands, and townships 
numbei' seven at present forms almost the entire settled portion of the 
military tract in Franklin county. 

No. 8 was patented to Col. McGregor Feb. 25, 1795, who sold to se- 
veral parties, and the latter divided* it by ballot, as follows: 

William Bell, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, 18, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 87, 88,' 
93, 94, 99, 43, 71, 72, 20, 26, 28; in all 25 lots. 

B. Swartwout, Nos. 2, 12, 16 ,30, 53, 57, 66, 69, 78, 80, 92 ; in all 11 lots. 

R. L. Bowne, Nos. 1, 2, 9, 33, 70, 90, 91, 96; in'all 7 lots. 

Leonard Gansevoort, Nos. 17, 21, 22, 45, 55, 56, 59, 60, 73, 79, 84 ; in all 
11 lots. 

Sir W. Poultney, Nos. 9, 15, 27, 41, 44, 46, 52, 58, 64, 68, 81, 82, 97, 
98, 100; in all 15 lots. His first agent was Col. R. Troop, present agent 
Joseph Fellows, of Geneva. 

Edmund Prior, Nos. 62, 67, 74, 86; in all 4 lots. 

Wm. Rhodes, Nos. 36, 51, 54, 76, 85; in all 5 lots. 

Wm. Haydock, Nos. 32, 47; in all 2 lots. 

Barent Staats, 20 lots, which he sold to the following individuals: 

P. Van Rensselaer, Nos. 48, 49, 50, 61, 63, 65, 75, 77, 83, 82, 95 ; in ais 
11 lots. P. Van Loon and J. P. Douw, Nos. 6, 8, 11 ; in all 3 lots. A 
Van Schaak, No. 25. J. Plush, Nos. 10, 23, 31 ; in all 3 lots. M. Gre- 
gory, No. 19. J. Benson and D. B. Slingerland,No.24. A considerable 
number of the above lots have been sold for taxes, and many of the pre- 
sent owners hold their titles in this way from the state. 

Township No. 9 was patented by the state as follows: 

Lots Nos. 1 to 48, to Gerrit Smith, August 10, 1849; b. 34, p. 505 
Lot No. 51, to Guy Meigs and Sam'l C. Wead, June 20, 1849 ; b. 36, p, 
291. Lots No. 61 to 87, to Gerrit Smith, Aug. 10, 1849; b. 34, p. 505. 
Lots 91 to 113, also 116 to 126, also 129 to 180, also 182 to 201, also 202, 
and 205 to 215, 217 to 228, 231 to 270, 272, 275 to 287, 290 to 292, 295 to 
304, 321 to 323, 325 to 329,331, 334 to 342, 355 to 360, to the same, at the 
same date as the other purchases. Portions of the remainder have been 
sold to individuals, and a part is still owned by the state. 

Township No. 10 was surveyed by J. Richards, in 1813, and sold in 
part to individuals, between 1827 and the present time. A large part 
was sold to Gerrit Smith, August 10, 1849, and some lots are still owned 
by the state. 

Massena. — This town was mostly granted in small and separate pa- 
tents, to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer and others. The first of these grants 
was made Oct. 23, 1788, adjoining the present reservation, and at the 
mile square. These tracts were designated by letters, and extended to 
the letter N. 

* Secretary's office, iiatenls, b. 23, p. S93, 



252 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Colonel Louis, the Indian chief to whom a tract in this town Was con- 
diiionally granted, in 1789, did not receive a patent. He however drew 
lots Nos. 7*2 and 98, of GOO acres each, and 55, II and 34, of SCO acres 
Cacii, in Jnnius, N. Y., for iiis military services. 

I Macomb's GrEa'T PuRciiASE.^-Tiie le^'islatnrc of the state of New 
York, at their session in 1791, in order to promote the settlement of their 
lands, passed a law authorizing the conjmissioners of the land office to 
dispose of any of the waste and unappropriated lands of the state, in 
such (piantities, and on such terms, and in such manner, as they should 
judge most conducive to the interest of the public. 

The extraordinary powers granted hy this law, have been rightly pro- 
nomiCed, in the language of a report made not long since to the legisla- 
ture, on another subject, "too great to be entrusted to mortal hands." 

Governor Clinton, in his annual message of 1792, communicated a re- 
port of the land commissioners, in which they said, that they had dining 
the year, sold 5,542,170 acres, in less than forty parcels, for £412,173 
16s. 8i^.,and that they had endeavored to serve the public interests therein. 

In a list of applications that had been received for the tract, was one 
fl-om Macomb, in April, for all the vacant lands between Lake Champlain 
and the St. Lawrence, for 6^. per acre, in 6 years without interest, which 
was rejected, on account of its extent, "and because it contained lands join 
sngold patents, and fronts too great a proportion of water communication." 

On the 2d of ]\lay, he applied as before, and it was accepted, thequan^ 
tity being reduced. 

Wm. Henderson had applied for all the military land at 9d. per acre, 
which was rcjectedi. Macomb had no competitors in his purchase. 

This report being in order, Mr. Talbott, of Montgomery, moved a se- 
ries of resolutions, in which, after enumerating the several acts which 
had been passed relative to the waste lands, and declaring that the spirit 
and design of these had been to afford to those of small means, the 
ability to purchase, and to prevent the accumulation of large landed es- 
tates in the hands of a few; he directly intimated that the commission- 
ers had violated the trust reposed in them. It appeared a mystery to 
him, that this immense tract had been sold for 8d., while adjoining tracts 
had been sold to the Roosevelts for 3s. Id.; to Adgate, for 2s; to Cald- 
well, McGregor, and Henderson, at Is. 8i. per acre. 

The sale without interest, and privilege of discount by paying down, 
Was severely censured. 

These resolutions were warfnly discussed but not passed. They Were 
evidently designed as the foundation for an impeachment, but failed in 
their purpose. Colonel Burr not having attended the meetings of the 
board, was not included in the charges, as he appears to have been ab- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 253 

sent on ofSclal business. The discussion continued till a late hour, when 

the house adjourned without decision, until the next day. On the 10th 

of April, 1792, Mr. Melancton Smith moved the foliowinjj resolution 

with a preamble, as a substitute for those formerly offered: 

^'■Resolved, That this house do highly approve of the conduct of the 
commissioners of the land office, in the judicious sales by them, asafore- 
said, which have been productive of the before mentioned beneficial ef- 
fects " 

This resolution was adopted by a vote of 35 to 20. The following is 

a copy of the application of Macomb, which was received by the com* 

missioners: 

"At a meeting of the commissioners of the land office, of the state » 
of New Yoik, held at the City Hall, in the city of New York, on 
Wednesday, the 22d day of June, 1791. 

Present — His Excellency George Clinton, Esquire, Governor; Lewis 
A. Scott, Esquire, Secretary; Gerard Bancker, Esquire, Treasurer; 
Peter T. Curtenius, Esq., Auditor. 

The application of Alexander Macomb, for the purchase of the follow- 
ing tract of land, was read, and is in the following words, to wit: 

'To the commissioners of the land office of the state of New York, 
Gentlemen : 

I take ihe liberty of requesting to withdraw my application to your 
honourable board, of April last, and to substitute the iol lowing projjossal, 
for the purchase of the waste and unappropriated lands cotn[)rised 
within the bounds herein after mentioned, and all the islands belonging 
to this state, in front of said lands, viz: Beginninir at the northwest cor- 
ner of the township called Hague, on the river St. Lawrence, and thence 
extending southerly along the westerly bounds of the said township, and 
the township called Cambray, to the most southerly corner of the latter, 
thence extending easterly, northerly and southerly, along the lines of the 
said township of Cambray, and of the townships of De Kalb, Canton 
and Potsdam, and Stockholm, to Ihe eastermost corner of the latter, 
thence northwesterly along the line of the said township of Stockholm, 
and the township of Louis Ville, to the river St. Lawrence, thence along 
the shore thereof to the line, run for the north line of this state, in the 
45th degree of north latitude, thence east along the same to the west 
bounds of the tract formerly set apart as bounty lands for the troops of 
this state, serving in tlie army of the United States, thence southerly 
along the same, to the north bounds of the tract known by the name of 
Tottenand Crossfiekl's purchase, thence westerly along the north bounds 
of the tract last mentioned, to the westermost corner thereof, thence 
southerly along the westerly bounds thereof, to the most westerly corner 
of township number five, in the said tract, thence westerly on a direct 
line to the northwestermost corner of the tracts granted to Oothoudt, 
thence westerly on a direct line to the mouth of Salmon river, where it 
empties itself into lake Ontario, thence northeasterly along the shore of 
the said lake, and the river St. Lawrence, to the place beginning, includ- 
ing all the islands belonging to this state, fronting the said tract in lake 
Ontario and the river St. Lawrence, five per cent, to be deducted for 
highways, and all lakes whose area exceeds one thousand acres, to be 
also deducted, for which, after the above deductions, I will give eight 
pence per acre, to be paid in the following manner, to wit : One-sixth 
part of the purchase money at the end of one year from the day on 



254 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

vvliicli this |)io|)osal sliall be iiccepted, Jind the residue in live equal 
.-iniuial iiistahueiits on the saoie day, in the five next succeediii"- years. 
'I'lie 1st payment to lie secured l>y bond, to tlie satisfaction of your 
lionorabio board, and if ])ai(l on the time limited and new bonds to the 
satisiaction of the board executed for another sixth of the purcliase 
money, tiien I shall be entitled to a patent for one-sixth jiart of said 
tract, to be vset off' in a square, in one of the corners thereof, and the 
same rule to be observed as to the ])ayments and securities and fjrants 
or patents, until the contract shall be fully completed. But if at any 
time I siiall think fit to anticipate the payments, in whole or in part, in 
that case I am to have a deduction on the sum so paid, of an interest at 
the rate of six ])er cent. i>er annum, for the time I shall have paid any 
such sum before the tinje herein before stipulated. 
I have the honor to be, gentlemen, 
« with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

Alexander Macomb. 

New York, May 2d, 1791. 

I do hereby consent and agree, that the islands called Caleton's or 
Tiuck's islands, in the entrance of lake Ontario, and the isle An Long 
Saut, in the river St. Lawrence, and a tract eqTml to six miles square, in 
the vicinity of the village of St. Regis, be exceptetl out of the above 
irontract, and to remaiti the property of the state : Provided always, 
That if the said tract sljali not be hereafter applietl for the use of the 
Indians of the said village, that then the same shall be considered as 
included in this contract, and that I shall be entitled to a grant for the 
same, on my perr"ormance of the stipulations aforesaid. 

Alexander Macomb," 

The board, by a resolution, accepted this proposition, and directed 
the surveyor general to survey the said tract, at the expense of Macomb, 
and requiring him to secure the payment of the first-sixth part of the 
purchase money. 

(Land Office Minutes, vol. ii, p. 192.J 

On the 10th of January, 1702, the surveyor general having made a 
return of the survey above directed, and the security required having 
been deposited, for the payment of the southern half of the tract, con- 
taining 1.920,000 acres, the secretary was directed to issue letters patent 
accordingly,* which was done January 10, 1792. f This portion was 
tracts Nos. 4, 5 and 6, in Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties. 

In the returns of the survey, made under the direction of the surveyor 
general, the lands were laid out into six tracts, of which number one lies 
entirely in Franklin county, and numbers two and three, in St. Lawrence 
county. 

These were subsequently subdivided into townships, named and num- 
bered as follows, with the origin of each so far as is known.J 

* Land Offire Minutes, vol. ii, p 232- 

t t5ee Office Patents, b 23, p. IGO; see recital in patent to rvicCornuclc, ib. b. le, p. 19S, &c. 
t In ol)tainin^ the origin of these names, the author has been assisted by A. O Brodie, of 
N. Y.; and Henry B. I ienepont, of Brooklyn. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 255 

Number 0.\e embraced 27 townships. 

1. Macomb, Alexander Macomb. 14. Ennis. 

2. Co7-machus,*- Daniel McCormick. 15. Foivler, Thedosius Fowler. 

3. Constable, Wm. Constable, 16. Johnsmanor, A son of Constable. 
4.yJib»-a, a place in Ireland. 17. GiYcZtmi, Jonatlian Gilclirist. 

5. Bangor, a town in Wales. 18. Brighton, a town in England. 

6. Malone, a name in the family of 19. Chdlenham, " " 

R. Harrison. 20. Margate, " " 

7. Annastown, a daughter of Con- 21. H«me/s/ojf)n, a daughter of Con- 

stable, stable. 

8. St. Patrick, the Irish saint, 22. Lochneagh, a lake in Ireland. 

9. Shelah, a place in Ireland. 23. Killarney, " " 

10. WUliamF,ville, a son of Constable. 24. BaiTijmore, a place in Ireland. • 

11. Westerly, U.5. Mount Morris. 

12. Ewerettaville, a. daughter of Con-26. Cove Hill. 

stable. 27. Tipperary, a county in Ireland. 

13. Dayton, Jonathan Dayton. 

These were numbered from west to east, and from north to south. See 
map of Franklin county, where the original names and numbers are 
given. 

Number Two embraced 18 townships, in the eastern part of St. Law- 
rence county, and south of the ten towns, viz: 

1. Sherwood. 10. Matildavale. 

% Oakham. 11. Wick. 

3. Mortlake. 12. Riversdale. 

4. Harewood. 13. Cookham. 

5. Janestoum, a daughter of Consta- 14. Catharinevilh. 

ble. 15. Islington. 

6. Picrcefield, 16. Chesterfield. 

7. Granshuck. 17. Grange. 

8. Hollywood. 18. Crumick. 

9. Kildare. 

This tract was numbered from west to east, commencing at the south 
west corner, and ending at the north. 
Number Three was divided into 15 townships, viz: 

1. Hammond, Abijah Hammond. 9. Sarahsburgh, 

2. Somerville,] a town in N. Jersey. 10. Clifton, a town in England. 

3. Deivitt, the surveyor general. 11. Portaferry,a. town in Ireland. 

4. Fitz William. 12. Scnfea, from George Scriba.? 

5. Ballybeen, McCormick's native 13. Chauinnnt, the name of T. D. 

place. Le Ray. 

6. Clare, a county in Ireland. 14. Bloomfield. 

7. Killarney, " " 15. Emilyville, a daughter of Con- 

8. Edwards, a brother of D. Mc stable. 

Cormick. 

The numbering of this tract began at the north west, and ran irregu- 
larly from west to east. We have carefully retained these names and 

* Or McCormick. This word is but a play upon the name. 

JOu some maps marked Caledonia. This was a favorite name of Mr. Parish. 



256 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

numbers on our map of St. Lawrence county. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 21, in 
tlie first tract; and 1, 38, in the third tract, have been applied to towns. 
]Most of the others have been discarded, or are used only in designating 
tracts of land. 

Macomb, soon after his purchase, appointed Wm. Constable to go to 
Europe, and sell lands, which he did, but as they are not within our pro- 
j)osed limits, the details of these transactions will not be given. The re- 
port of this sale naturally spread through the state, and put a stop to 
fmilier a|)plications, which led the commissioners to direct the surveyor 
general (Oct. 11, 1791,) to advertise in all the papers in the state, that the 
Old Military tract, and lai'ge tracts east and south of this, were still for 
sale. 

This was accordingly done.* 

The failure of Macomb, interrupted the sale, and prevented him from 
receiving the patents. 

On the 6ih of June, 1792, he released to Wm. Constable, his interest 
in tracts 1, 2 and 3,f 

As many of the transfers that ensued were cf)nfidential, it would be 
tedious to follow them, if our space allowed. William Constable and 
Daniel JMcCormick were the leading negotiators in this business, and 
after the death of the former, in May, 1803, James Constable, John Mc 
Vickar and Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, as his executors, assumed the settle- 
ment of the estate and sale of lands. Macomb's- interest in the three 
tracts was sold June 22, 1791, to Wm. S. Smith, Abijah Hammond and 
Richard Harrison, but the patents for these tracts were not issued till 
several years afterwards. 

Ou the 3d of March, 1795, the commissioners of the land office directed 
the secretary of state to prepare letters patent to Daniel McCormick, for 
the third tract of 640,000 acres, the latter, who was an original jjroprietor 
with Macomb, having paid the sum required into the treasury. This 
was accordingly done.| 

On the 10th of July following, McCormick satisfied the claims of 
Smith, Hammond and Harrison, by deeding one-fifteenth part of the 
third tract, and two undivided tenths remaining after deducting the said 
one-fifteenth part, and also one-third part of the remainder§. The title 
of these gentlemen to the third tract would accordingly be represented 
by the following formula: 

■ 1 , 2(1-tV) , 1— :V 
15"^ 10 ^ 3 • 
Our limited mathematical attainments will not allow us to trace the 

* Land Office records, p 220. t See's office, patents, b. 23, p. 160. 

t Sec.'s office, patents, b. 23, p. 394. j See's office, deeds, 29, p. 157. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 257 

complex and compound vulgar fractions that were employed in the sub- 
sequent sales. 

On the 14t!i of Mi'.y, 1798, ]McCorniick applied for patents for the first 
and second tracts of Macomh's piu'chase, which were ordered, and on 
the day following, approved, and on tlie 17th of August, passed by the 
commissioners.* The first tract embraced 821,879 acres, and the second 
553,020 acres. 

The fees charged for issuing a patent for 1,374,839 acres granted to 
iVIcCormick, amounted to $820, of whicli half was paid into the treasury, 
and the rest the land commissioners divided between them, by virtue of 
an act of Fel)ruary 25, 1789, establishing the fees which were a certaia 
rate i)er township ;f and of course proportioned to the magnitude of the 
sales. 

On the 21st of June, 1797, the surveyor general was directed by the 
land commissioners to finish and return a survey of the lands contracted 
and sold to Macomb, and to employ none but competent and trusty sur- 
veyors on this duty. If difficulty arose in finding the starting point, he 
was to attend personally to the matter.J 

McCorujirk, by deetl to Constable, Se})tember 20, 1793, conveyed an 
undivided third of great lot No. 2,§ and December 19, 1800, a partition 
deed between Macomb and McCormick to Constable was executed. 

Theodosius Fowler, Jonathan Dayton, and Robert Gilchrist, haying 
become intere-^ted In the tract, a partition deed was executed January 
19, 1802, in which Hannnond, Harrison, Fowler, Gilchrist, and Dayton, 
released to McCormick, Constable and Macomb. 

In July, 1804, James D. LeRay, by purchase fiom Constable, became 
interested in the townships of tracts Nos. 1, 2 and 3. He appointed 
Gouverneur Morris as his attorney. 

We have prepared a detailed statement of the shares received by each, 
in these transfers, but our space will not admit of its insertion. The 
following tabular statement shows the names of those to whom the differ- 
ent townships were assigned. It is taken from a copy of an ori'^inal 
map, kindly furnished to the author, by P. S. Stewart, Esq., of Carthage, 
the agent of Mr. LeRay. 

To condense the statement, the following abbreviations will ba used: 
L. Le Rat de Chaumo>t. W. C. VVm. Constable. 
M. Alex'r Macomb. F. Theodosios Fowler. 

M. C. Daniel McCormick. G. F. Gilchrist Fowlek. 

* Land office records, iii, p 60. Patents, b. 13, p. 19S, 394, see's office. 

tib., iii, p. 57. 

$rb., iii, p. 18. 

§ Deeds, secretary's office, b. 32. 



258 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

R. H. Richard Harrison. P. David Parish. 

H. Abijah Hammond. 

Great Tract jYo. 1, including 27 townships. 1, M,; 2, W. C: 3, W. 
C; 4, G. R; 5, M. C; G, R. H.; 7, W. C; 8, H.; 9. N. i W. C, middle 
J H., S. i M. C; IC, W. C; 11, R. H.; 12, W. C; 13, N. W. i R. H., E. 
i not marked ; 14, not marked; 15, N. W. i G. F., N. E. i M. C, south 
i.art not marked; IG, W. C; 17, N. i R. 11., middle J M. C, S. J W.C; 
18, H. ; 19, F. ; 20, G. F. ; 21, L. ; 22, M. C. ; 23, M. C. ; 24, N. VV. i H., 
N. E. i G. F., S. E. 4 R. H., S. W. d M. C. ; 25, S. i G. F., the rest not 
marked; 2G, M. C; 27, N. W. i M. C, the remainder L. 

Great Trad JVo. 2, including 18 townships. 1, N. VV. i 31. C, N. E. ^ 
L., S. E. d M. C, S. W. i G. F.: 2, N. W. 1 M., S. W. i G. F., E. i L.; 
3, W. C; 4, N. W. d L , N. E. dH. S. E. d M. C., S. W. d C.; 5, M,; 6, 
S. ^ M. C., N. h M. C., R. H., H., G. F. and L. ; 7, M. C. ; 8, N. i R. M., 
S. h M. C. ; 9, R. H.; 10. W. C.; 11, W. C; 12, N. W. d P., N. E. d R- 
H., S. E. i H., S. W. d M; 13, P.; 14, P. and M.; 15, H.; 16, R. H.; 17, 
E. part M. C., middle part L., W. part G. F.; 18, not marked. 

Great Tract JVo. 3, including 15 townships. 1, H. ; 2, not marked ; 3, 
not marked ; 4, E. part H, middle part M. C., W. part S., (Madame de 
Stael?); 5, M.C.; 6, E. ^L., W.i S.; 7,G.F.; 8,M.C.; 9,M.; 10, N. W. 
d M., N. E. d L. ; S. E. d R. H., S, W. d H. ; 11, M. C. ; 12, M. C. ; 13, L. ; 
14, not marked; 15, N. E. d M. C., N. W. d G. F., S. ^ L. ; 15, N. E. i 
L. ; N. W. d M. L., S. E. d M. C., S. W. d G. F. 

The islands in the St Lawrence were not patented with the lands op- 
])osite which they lay, nor were they included in the jurisdiction of any 
of the towns, although included in the contract of Macomb, with two 
exceptions. It was not deemed advisable to patent any of these until 
the national boundary was decided. By an act passed March 17, 1815, 
they were declared to be a part of the respective towns opposite which 
they lay, and this extended to the island in Lakes Erie and Ontario, and 
the Niagara river. 

The islands were patented as follows: 

All the islands which lie within this state, between a line drawn at 
right angles to the river, from the village of Morristown, situated on the 
shoi*e of the river, and a meridian drawn through the western point of 
Grindstone island, in the county of Jefferson, containing fifteeen thou- 
sand, four hundred and two aci*es, and nine-tenths of an acre, were 
granted to Elisha Camp, Feb. 15, 1823. In the above grant is included 
Grindstone island, containing 5,291 acres, Wells's island containing 8,068 
acres, Indian Hut island containing 369 acres, and some small islands 
without names. 

Lindifs island, 7"92 acres, to Elisha Camp, Dec. 9, 1823. 
Nine small islands, 178-8 acres to Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, Oct. 21, 1824. 
Isle du Gallop, 492-5 " « " 

Tick island, 11-0 " " " 

Tibbits island, 17-5 " « ", 

Chimney island, 6-2 " " " 

Other small islands, 3-0 " « " 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 259 

Rapid Plat, 9,763 acres, to Daniel McCormick, August, 1815; and to 
McCormickon the 15th of December, 1823, the following, with the num- 
ber of acres in each. The title is recorded iu book 2.5, p. 480, of pa- 
tents, at Albany, 

Smugglers' island and Johnson's island, 17'72. » 

An island near Johnson's island, between that and the United States 
shore, 2-46. 

Snuy island, 55-20. Upper Long Saut island, 868-80. 

Chat island, 95-20. C island, 3-1. 

Chrystler's island, 52-80. D Island, 2-5. 

Hog island, 5-29. Haynes' island, 134-56. 

Goose Neck island, 405-87. 

The Isle au Long Saut, was reserved by the state in the original sale, 
from its supposed importance in a military point of view, and sold to in- 
dividuals by the surveyor general, in pursuance of statute, between May 
5, 1832, and the present time, at the land office in AlbanJ^ 

Barnharfs island, 1692-95 acres; two-thirds to David A. Ogden and 
one-third to Gouverneur Ogden, Dec. 15, 1815. 

This island, near St. Regis, lies veiy near the Canadian shore, and a 
considerable part of it north of the line of 45° N. latitude. It was ac- 
cdB-dingly regarded as British territory, and in 1795 it was leased of the 
St. Regis Indians, by George Barnhart, for a term of 999 years, at an 
annual rent of $30. The British government had made a practice of 
granting patents upon the issue of similar leases, and would doubtless 
have done so in this instance, had application been duly made. 

In 1806, a saw mill was built, and arrangements made for the erection 
of a grist mill, when the Indians became dissatisfied and insisted upon a 
renewal of the lease, at aa increased rent. Accordingly a lease was 
given for 999 years, at $60 annual rent. Deeds had been granted by 
Barnhart, who with all the other inhabitants of the island, were treated 
as British subjects, until upon running the line between the two nations, 
after the ti-eaty of Ghent, the commissioners assigned the island to the 
United States, as an offset for the half of Grand island, at the outlet of 
Lake Ontario, which in justice would have been divided. In 1823, D. 
A. Ogden and G. Ogden purchased the islands in St. Lawrence county, 
and with them Barnhart's island. The settlers not complying with the 
offers made, were ejected by the state, and they in 1849 applied for re- 
dress at the state legislature. By an act passed April 10, 1850, Bishop 
Perkins, George Redington and John Fine, were appointed commis- 
sioners to examine these claims, and awarded to the petitioners the ag- 
gregate of $6,597, which was confirmed by an act passed at the follow- 
ing session of the legislature! The claimants received as follows: Wm. 



260 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Geo. Barnhart, $1,475; Jacob Barnhart, $3,284; Geo. Robertson, $1,127; 
Geo. Gallinger, $402, and Geo Snetzinger, $309. 

The state, in disposing of its lands, conveys them by an iustrnment 
called a patent, in which there appears no consideration of payment, and 
which piu-ports to be a gift, and to be executed by but one party. As 
reference is often made to the reservations of the patent, the form of one 
is here inserted: 

"THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the 
grace "of GOD, free and independent. TO ALL to whom these 
Presents shall come greeting: KNOW" YE, That WE HAVE Given, 
Granted and Confirmed, and by these Presents, DO Give, Grant and 
Confirm unto [here follows name, bounds of lands, &c.], TOGETHER 
with all and singular the Rights, Hereditaments and Appurtenances to 
the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining : EXCEPTING and 
RESERVING to ourselves all Gold and Silver Mines, and five Acres of 
every Hundred Acres of the said Tract of Land for Highways: TO 
HAVE AND TO HOLD the above described and granted Premises 
unto the said . . ., Heirs and Assigns, as a good and indefeasible 
Estate of Inheritance for ever. 

ON CONDITION NEVERTHELESS, That within the Term of 
Seven Years to be computed from the . . . Date hereof, there shall 
be one Family actually settled on the said Tract of Land hereby Granted 
for every six hundred and forty acres thereof^ otherwise these our 
Letters Patent and Estate hereby Granted shall cease, determine and 
become void : IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WE have caused 
these our Letters to be made Patent, and the great Seal of our said State 
to be hei-eunto affixed : WITNESS our trusty and well beloved 
[George Clinton] Esquire Governor of our State, General and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the 
same." 

These instruments ai-e made out by the secretai-y of state, on the order 
of the land commissioners, and bear the signature of the governor, and 
the great seal of the state, which, in former times, was a large waxen 
disc, with paper on each side, bearing the arms of the state on the face 
and an impression on the back, which was styled " the reverse." 

Tax Sales have caused large tracts of land in the rear townships of 
the great purchase to change hands, and many of the present owners 
hold their titles from this source. 

In March, 1834, 116,873^ acres were sold in St. Lawrence and 28,323 
acres in Franklin counties, amounting, in the latter, to $841*73 only. At 
this sale, Peter Smith bid oflT large amounts in these and other counties. 
In 1839, 43,164 acres in St. Lawrence and 65,881 acres in Franklin 
counties, were sold. In 1843, 93,690 acres in the former, and 45,457 aci-es 
in the latter. 

These sales, which formerly took place at Albany, have, by a recent 
act of the legislature, been very judiciously transferred to the county 
seats. These lands have usually been sold at prices scarcely nominal. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 261 

The following are examples: 17,140 acres, $185-09; 20,568 acres $263-02 ; 
21,165 acres, $671-03. 

The state is said to own considerable tracts, which have been forfeited 
for taxes. 

Landholders^ Reserves have very frequently been made in the northe|-n 
counties, and generally apply to mines and minerals. In some deeds, 
these reserves embrace certain specific ores or minerals, and in others 
the resei-vations are extended to mill seats and mill privileges. A clause 
is commonly inserted, by which it is stipulated, that all damages arising 
from entering upon the premises, in pursuance of the conditions of the 
reservation, shall be paid. 

This has undoubtedly, in some cases, operated as a drawback «pon 
the mining interests, as the occupant, having no claims upon ores that 
might exist upon his premises, would feel no solicitude about their dis- 
covery; and even would take pains to conceal their existence, preferring 
the undisturbed enjoyment of his farm, to the annoyance and disturb- 
ance that might arise from mineral explorations. 

These reservations of ores are superfluous, in sections underlaid by 
Potsdam sandstone, or any of the sedimentary series of rock that overlay 
this formation; as none have hitherto been discovered or suspected to 
exist in any of these rocks. 

It is only in primitive rock, or along the boi'ders of this and sediment- 
ary or stratified rocks, that useful ores have hitherto been discovered in 

this section of the state. 

» 

The Original Survey of MacornVs Purchase. 

The following account of these surveys, was obtained fi-om Mr. Gur 
don Smith, a pioneer settler, and one of the surveyors who run out the 
great purchase. 

The north line of Totten and Ci'ossfield's purchase, waS' run during the 
revolutionary war, by Jacob Chambers, and forms the southern boundary 
of the great tract. 

The ten towns had been supposed to be surveyed, previous to 1799, 
but some of the lines, if ever marked, could not then be found, and a 
part of them were run out, under the direction of Benjamin Wright, of 
Rome, in 1799. 

The outlines of the great tract had been surveyed by Medad Mitchell, 

and Tupper; the former from New York, who laid out the great 

tracts numbers 1, 2 and 3, but did not subdivide it into townships. On 
finishing their work, they were at the extreme south east corner of 
Franklin county, from whence they proceeded through the woods 
towai-ds Rome, but bearing too far to the north, they crossed Black river, 



262 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

below the High falls, and when they first recognized their situation, were 
in the town of Redfield, Oswego county, where one of them had pre- 
viously surveyed. 

When they reached Rome, they were nearly famished, having been 
several days on close allowance, and for a short time entirely destitute. 
From one of these surveyors, Tupper's lake, on the south border of the 
county, derives its name. In the winter of 1798-9, Mr. Benjamin Wright, 
originally from Connecticut, but then a young man, residing in Rome, 
and by profession a surveyor, obtained from the proprietors in New- 
York, a contract for surveying the three great tracts of Macomb's 
purchase, into townships. He had been engaged from 1795 till 1798, 
in company with his cousin, Moses Wright, in surveying large tracts, and 
among others, the Black river tract, in Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego 
counties. 

From his excellent reputation as a surveyor, he was employed as a 
suitable person to superintend the survey of the great northern purchase. 

Early in June, Mr. Wright, with a party of about twenty men, started 
by way of Oneida lake, and the St. Lawrence rivers, with a six handed 
bateau, to commence their operations at St. Regis. They left arrange- 
ments for three of their number, G. Smith, Moses Wright, and Ebenezer 
Wright, with eight other men, to come through the woods, to meet them 
at Penet's bay, now the village French Creek. The latter party started 
on the 11th of June, 1799, having been prevented by the absence of one 
of their number from getting off, till several days after the main part of 
the company had left; and arrived after a march of about four days, at 
the point designated, but instead of finding their companions, they found 
a letter, stating that after waiting in vain several days, they had gone 
down the river. With the exception of a small supply left for their 
support, they were destitute of provisions, but making a virtue of the 
necessity, they divided their little stock equally between them, and 
pulling down the little log cabin which had served for their shelter, and 
which was then the only tenement in the country, they made of its tim- 
ber, a raft, and following on, came to where some Canadian timber 
thieves were at work on the American shore, near the head of Chippewa 
bay. 

Here they found provisions for supplying their most pressing hunger, 
and from hence they were taken in a boat to where Brockville now is, 
then a small settlement. 

From this they proceeded to Oswegatchie where they overtook the 
others, and being assembled, they descended to St. Regis, to commence 
their operations at that place. At the head of the Long Saut, two of the 
number intimidated by the swiftness of the current, slipped out of the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 263 

company, and attempted to gain St Regis, by land, but on aiTivingatthe 
mouth of Grass river, they Vere obliged to hire some Indians who were 
passing, co convey them to Cornwall, from Avhence they proceeded to 
St. Regis. A small party under the direction of G. Smith, was put on 
shore, to proceed by land from the Long Saut to St. Regis, to make a 
traverse of the river, who arrived two or three days later than those who 
proceeded by water. 

The arrival of so many men upon their lands, at first greatly alarmed 
the Indians, who suspected evil designs upon their persons, or their 
property, and they assembled in arms, to repel them; but at length, being 
satisfied that their designs were altogether peaceable, they were received 
and treated with much kindness. The names of those assembled at 
this place for surveying, were as follows: 

Benjamin Wright, (principal surveyor), Gurdon Smith, Moses Wright 
and Ebeuezer Wright, (the latter cousins of B. Wright,) Clark Putnam, 
E. Hammond, Benjamin Raymond, sui-veyors at the head of parties, and 
each having* his lines assigned him. Each had two axe men to mark the 
lines, and two chain men. B. Wright, superintended the operations of 
the others, and had the direction of supplying the several parties with 
provisions, at camps, that were established at different points. He had 
his head quarters at the mouth of Raquette river. 

One of the first duties to be done, was to explore the Raquette river, 
and ascertain how far that stream was navigable, and at what points it 
was most eligible to establish camps. To Mr. G. Smith, was assigned 
this duty, and he with two men, followed the shore as far up as the 
present village of Potsdam, and in consequence of this, and other 
explorations, a camp was established at the present site of Norfolk village 
at the foot of the rapids on the west side ; another near Coxe's Mills in 
Pierrepont; another at the Canton high falls; and another at Cooper's 
falls, in Dekalb, and at each of these a man was left to take charge of 
provisions. 

In commencing operations, Mr. Wright found it a matter of the first 
importance, to ascertain the point where the line formerly run between 
the great lots of Macomb's purchase, intersected the south line on the 
southern border of the county. 

To determine this, Mr. Hammond was despatched to find the point of 
intersection, but not only failed in this, but also was detained so long by 
various causes, that his absence became a serious source of uneasiness 
with those who were left. He at length came in nearly famished, 
having failed to accomplish his object. 

Still in hopes of ascertaining these important data, Mr. Smith was 
next sent, with directions to make the most careful examinations, and 



264 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

not return until if possible, they were found. After traveling nearly as 
far as was necessary to reach the point, the pTirty camped near a river to 
spend a night, in hopes of being so fortunate as to find the object of their 
search the following day. Next morning one of their party related a 
curious dream, which he had dreamed during the night, in which he re- 
lated, that they seemed to be traveling along, and carefully examining 
every object for land marks, when they came to a bog meadow, with 
scarcely any vegetation but moss, and that on a solitary bush which grew 
apart from all others, might be found the mark. This dream was treat- 
ed virith derision, but they had scarcely proceeded a quarter of a mile 
when they came to a marsh which the dreamer declared was like that 
which had appeared in his vision, and on careful examination, he detect- 
ed the bush and the mark, much to the surprise of all. 

The manner in which this anecdote was related, leaves no doubt of its 
truth, and it remains a subject for the speculation of the physiologist to 
offer a solution. He might have heard it related casually, and years 
before, that such a mark had been made in such a place, and this, from 
its ti-ifling nature, might have made no impression at the time, and was 
forgotten, but when it became an object of solicitude to ascertain it, the 
busy thoughts flitting through the mind in dreams, without the control 
of the will, and following each other in a succession of which we know 
DO law or order, might have brought, unbidden, the welcome fact, long 
forgotten, and which no effort of memory in the waking state could have 
recalled. In fno other rational manner can this singular instance of 
apparent i*evelation be satisfactorily explained. 

These different surveying parties, spent the summer in running some 
of the principal lines of the great purchase, meeting at times with great 
hardships, from exposure to the elements, want of provisions, and mis- 
understanding of instructions, from the imperfect knowledge possessed 
of the different lakes, streams, and rivers in the country. 

Towards fall, the several parties proceeded back to Rome, where they 
all resided, some by water, and two parties, (Smith's and Raymond's) 
through the forest. 

An incident occured in Mr. Smith's party, worthy of record. He had 
procured a supply of provisions, about 25 miles below JTupper's lake, 
of a party who had been sent by Mr. Wright, for this purpose, and 
thence in pursuance of instructions he had turned back to the south line, 
and had proceeded on this, to the extreme south western corner of St. 
Lawrence county, where they camped for the night. In the morning, 
it being foggy and misty, two of his men had conceived that the course 
he proposed to take, in order to reach the High falls on Black river, (S. 
25° W.) was not in the direction of then- homes, notwithstanding the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 265 

evidence of the compass, and peremptorily refused to accompany him. 
The coui-se they proposed fo taite, was back on the south line towards 
Lake Champlain, and no argument or expostulation could convince them 
that they were in error. 

Mr. Smith, endeavoi-ed to remonstrate, by showing that the line was 
obscure, and would soon be lost, and that they must then wander at ran- 
dom and perish in the forest, which had then no limits, but the St. 
Lawrence, Black, and Mohawk rivers. But finding entreaties vain, he 
divided his provisions equally between them, and they shouldered their 
knapsacks and started. At this trying moment, those that remained, 
tortured with fear that the missing men would be lost, and that their 
blood would be required at their hands, resolved to remain in the place 
they were a short time, in hopes that the deluded men would lose their 
course, and call for assistance before they had got beyond hailing dis- 
tance; and so it providentially proved, for their receding forms had 
scarcely disappeared in the distance, than, from the very anxiety they 
felt to keep their line, they became confused, and perplexed, and a faint 
shout in the distance conveyed back to those who reni:iined, the joyful 
news that the misguided men had discovered their folly, in time to be 
saved. 

Mr. Smith, who had been listening intensely to learn whether such 
would not be the result, instantly sprang upon his feet, and bidding his 
men i-emain in the place they were, he darted off in the direction of the 
cry, and at length overtook them, much to the relief of all parties. 

Being by this time convinced of their error, and willing to trust that 
most reliable guide the compass, they willingly consented to follow the 
others, thankful for having discovered their folly in season. 

Had not the others remained where they were, the two parties would 
have been beyond hailing distance, and the consequences must have 
been fatal. 

The company on the third day, arrived at the High falls, having 
struck the road, then newly cut from that place to Brown's tract, at a 
point seven miles from the falls. 

In May, 1800, Mr. B. Wright, Mr. M. Wright, G. Smith, and B. Raymond, 
returned with men l)y way of Lake Ontario, and finished during that 
season, the survey of their contract, embracing the first three great lots 
of Macomb's purchase. 

The head quarters during this summer was also at St. Regis, but no- 
thing worthy of notice occurred. In the latter part of the summer, they 
returned home with their work finished. 



266 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



CHAPTER V. 




ORGANIZATION AND SETTLEMENT OF THE SEVERAL 
TOWNS. 

*ITH most persons, the adventures of the pioneer settler, and 
the privations and inconveniences experienced in forming 
a new settlement, possess a great degree of interest; and if 
consult the annals of any people, or of any age, we shall find 
that the origin, an& the first feeble beginnings, of a new settlement 
or colony, are those which have been described with the greatest 
minuteness, and read with the greatest interest. The idea of an era, or 
STARTING POINT, from whicli future events shall be dated, of itself pos- 
sesses an importance which engages the attention, and is afterwards re- 
called as an occurrence not easily forgotten; and the magnitude of the 
enterprise, enhances the importance of the initial steps. On this princi- 
ple, the corner stone of the edifice, which is to be the pride of the archi- 
tectural art, is laid with imposing ceremonies; and the first discovsi-y 
and occupation of a new country, has been by voyagers and discoverers, 
celebrated with such acts as were well calculated to fix the event in the 
memory, and add to the importance of the beginning of a new series of 
events. 

Thus it is in the formation of new settlements; the commencement of 
a labor which is to change the wilderness to the cultivated field, and the 
difficulties encountered in effecting a lodgment in a forest, remote from 
sympathy or assistance, and exposed to all the hardships which such a 
situation imposes, has in it a species of merit which deserves to be com- 
memorated; and especially, if there be in this any self-sacrifice from 
principle, or for the good of others, or the exhibition of those traits of 
character which evince courage in the presence of dangei", perseverance 
in defiance of obstacles, or the exercise of those ennobling traits of cha- 
racter which elevate and adorn the human mind, do they especially 
demand our favorable attention. 

Entertaining such a view of the subject, the author has for several 
months, devoted his time exclusively to the laborious but pleasing task, of 
gleaning from the memories of the early inhabitants, and the scattered 
records of the various towns ; from the periodical press, the records of 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 267 

societies, and from the public archives, the details which follow, in rela- 
tion to the origin, progress and present condition of the towns of these 
two counties. The difficulties which attend this class of researches, can 
be realized only by one who has experienced them. To patiently listen 
to the broken and disconnected narrative of the aged, whose sluggish 
memories are scarcely able to recall the incidents which marked their 
prime; to submit to the verbose and disjointed accounts of the illiterate, 
and the loose statements of those who talk at random; to guard against 
the impositions of those who have an interest to be promoted, and the 
misstatements of those who are themselves in error, and from these to 
select those parts which have Avorth, and reject the worthless, and to 
connect and arrange the whole in such a manner as to form a consistent 
and impartial narrative, requires an amount of labor which is very great. 

It is hoped that these statements will be remembered should the reader 
observe any deficiencies or eri'ors in the following pages. 

St. Lawrence county, is at present divided into twenty-eight towns, 

which were organized on the following dates, and from the following 

towns. 

Brasher, taken from Massenet, April 21, 1825 
—Canton, taken from i<is?>o?i, March 28, 1808. 
CoLTON, taken from ParishvUle, April 12, 1843. 
Dekalb, taken from Oswegaichie, February 21, 1806. 
Depeyster, taken from Oswegatchie and Dekalb, March 24, 1825, 
Edwards, taken from Fowler, April 27, 1827. 
Fine, taken from Russell and Pierrepont, March 27, 1849. 
Fowler, taken from Rossie and Russell, April 15, 1815. 
Gouverneur, taken fi-om Oswegatchie, April 15, 1810. 
Hammond, taken from Rossie and Moiristown, March 30, 1827. 
Hermon,* taken from Edivards and Dekalb, April 17, 1830. 
— HoPKiNTON, taken from Massenq,, March 2, 1805. 

Lawrence, taken from Hopkinton and Brasher, April 21, 1823, 
—Lisbon, taken from (the Ten towns,) March 6, 1801. 

Louisville, taken from Massena, April 5, 1810. ^ 

Macomb, taken from Gouverneur and Morristown, April 30, 1841^ 

Madrid, taken from Lisbon, March 3, 1802. 

Massena, taken from Lisbon, March 3, 18u2. 

Morristown, taken from Oswegatchie, March 27, 1821. 

Norfolk, taken from Louisville and Stockholm, April 9, 1823. 

Oswegatchie, taken from Lisbon, March 3, 1802. 
- — Parishville, taken from Hopkinton, March 18, 1814. 
Pierrepont, taken from Russell, April 15, 1818. 

Pitcairn, taken from Fowler, March 24, 1836. 

Potsdam, taken from Madrid, February 21, 1806. 

Rossie, taken from Russell, January 27, 1813. 

Russell, taken from HopAiWon, March 27, 1807. 

Stockholm, taken from Massena, February 21, 1806* 

Brasher. 
Was erected from Massena, April 21, 1825, and the first town meeting' 
* Under the name of DEPEAr, changed to Hermon 28, Feb, 1834, 



268 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

■was directed to be held at the liouse of Benjamin Nevin. The poor 
moneys of the towns, were to be divided agreeably to the last tax list. 
It originally embraced the greater parts of townships No. 17 and 18. 
By an act of April 11, 1827, all that part of No. 16 or Chesterfield, north 
of the south line of Stockholm, extended to the county line, was added , 
without the knowledge or consent of its inhabitants. Tlie latter part 
was taken off in 1828, in forming the town of Lawrence. 

Town Officers. — The following is a list of the first town officers, elected 
June G, 1825. Benjamin Nevin, Supervisor ; David McMurphy, Town 
Clerk; Win, Stowell, Jehiel Stevens, and Benjamin Watts, .Assessors ; 
John Burroughs, David Richardson, and Peter Uorbin, Commissioners of 
Highways; Benjamin Watts, Constable and Collector; Francis Nevin, and 
David Richardson, Overseers of the Poor ; Lviman Kibble, Jehiel Stevens, 
and Francis Nevin, Com'rs of Com. Schools ; David McMurphy, Benjamin 
Nevin, and Wm. Stowell. Inspectors of Schools. 

Supervisors.— 1825, Benj. Nevin; 1826, David McMurphy; 1827-8; 
Jehiel Stevens; 1829, B. Nevin; 1830; J.Stevens; 1831-3, B. Nevin, 
1834. J. Stevens; 1835-6, David Richardson; 1837-8, Nicholas Watis; 
1839-41, J. Stevens; 1842-3, John Phelps; 1844-7, Joseph A. Jacob?, 
1848-9, John Phelps ; 1850-1, James H. Morse ; 1852, Hannibal Andrews. 

The town of Brasher derives its name from Philip Brasher, of Brook- 
lyn, who acquired by purchase at different times from the eight heirs of 
Thomas Marston, one of whom was his wife, a portion of the town. 
Mr. Marston had received his title, March 18, 1809, from G. V. Ludlow, 
Mas'ter in Chancery, and the tract thus conveyed, had been set off to 
Jonathan Dayton, in a division between Dayton, Gilchrist, and Fowler, 
in July, 1801. Mr. Brasher held for several years the office of alder- 
man, and member of assembly, and had been in the legislature for seve- 
ral years, previous to the time the town was organized. It was the in- 
tention of the petitioners that this town should bear the name of Helena, 
and as such the bill passed the assembly, but was altered in the senate. 
This town has at present three villages and post offices, which were es- 
tablished as follows: Helena, Feb. 13, 1827; Brasher Falls, July 22, 
1840; and Brasher Iron Works, July 14, 1849. 

This town embraces most of the townships of Grange and Cru- 
mnck, and was subdivided into strips running north and south, McCor- 
mick, one of the proprietors, conveyed to Joseph Pitcairn by deed 
dated July 6, 1818, the middle part, and under this pi-oprietor the 
settlement first began. The eastern part, which is known as the 
Chandler tract, of 12,235 acres, was conveyed by McCormick to Samuel 
Ward, Dec. 15,1794, and formed a part of 192,000 acres to which the 
latter became entitled on a division of the great purchase. It passed 
thence to Samuel Havens, of Dedham, Mass., Dec. 6, 1806, and in 1834 
the tract was surveyed into 33 lots, and sold Aug. 10, 1842, to T. P. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 269 

Chandler. The west third was confirmed by McCormick, Constable, 
and Macomb to Harrison and others, in a partition executed Jan 19, 1801, 
It ultimately became owned by Thomas Marston, and by inheritance and 
purchase by Brasher. The first improvement began in town was the 
erection of a saw mill on Deer river, and as was supposed on the Ha- 
ven tract, by G. B. R. Gove in 1815. The first actual settlement was made 
March 17, 1817, near the village of Helena, by several families who 
came on and settled under the agency of Russell Attwater, of Norfolk, 
who in that year erected a saw mill, which afterwards contained a grist 
mill, whh a single run of stones, Benjamin Nevin succeeded as agent 
in May, 1819. There were then living in town the following men, and 
their families : Wm. Johnson, Amos Eldridge, Jeremiah Shuff, Enoch 

Hall, Brown and Francis Nevin, a young man. A grist mill 

erected by Mr. Nevin, was burned in April 1828, but immediately re- 
built, and is the one now at Helena. The first religious meetings were 
held by the Methodists, and the Rev, Squire Chase, preached the first 
sermon in town. The settlement at the mouth of Deer river, received 
the name of Helena, from Helen, only daughter of Joseph Pitcairn. 
It was the intention of this proprietor to make the place his home, and 
he caused to be erected the large stone dwelling west of the village, for 
a residence, but domestic afflictions prevented him from carrying this in- 
tention into effect. This place is a small village, and a fall in Deer river, 
gives it a water power sufficient for common mechanical purposes. 

Some importance was at an early day attached to the navigation of the 
St. Regis river in this town, and a boat capable of carrying ten barrels 
of potash, was run between Hogansburgh and the landing, seven 
miles below Brasher falls. The inhabitants of Stockholm and Hopkin- 
ton availed themselves of this communication, in reaching market. To 
promote this, an act of March 25, 1828, made it the " duty of the asses- 
sors of the town of Brasher, to designate in their next assessment all 
lands lying west of and within two miles of the St. Regis river, and 
above the place usually called the landing. The board of supei-visora 
were authorized from this to levy a tax not exceeding twenty cents on an 
acre, in addition to the ordinary tax, to be expended by the road com- 
missioners of the town in improving the roads through these lands." By 
an act passed April 18, 18^1, the board of supervisors were authorized 
and required to tax the town of Brasher $1,000 to rebuild two bridges 
over the St. Regis river, where the main road from Potsdam and Stock- 
holm to Hogansburgh passes through the town. This sum was not to 
be levied unless the same should have been previously fixed and de- 
termined upon by a vote of the freeholders and inhabitants, at a legal 
lown meeting assembled. 



270 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

On Deer river two and a half miles from Helena, is the small manu- 
facturing village of Brasher Iron Works. The first beginning here, was 
about the lOtli of September, 1835, by Stillmau Fuller, formerly from 
Fullerville Iron Works. Mr. Pitcairn had known of the existence of bog 
ores in this town, and induced Mi-. F. to come and examine the ores, and 
if practicable to erect a furnace. The first contract run ten years, 
and allowed Mr. Fuller the sole right of digging ores on his tract, by 
paying a tribute of twenty-five cents a ton. The furnace at Norlblk had 
previously been in part supplied from this town, but the new contract 
cut them off from all further supplies from tliis quarter. A furnace was 
erected on the left bank of Deer river, which was 31 feet square on the 
ground, of the same height. Inside diameter, 7 feet. Lining, sandstone 
from Potsdam, which was found to answer the purpose of a firestone admi- 
rably. It was made a quarter furnace, and at first fed by a cold blast. It 
was got in operation and the first casting of iron made on the 29th of Octo- 
ber, 1836. The first blast continued till the last of January following, 
without delays or accidents, and about 250 tons were made on the first 
trial. At the end of the second blast, in the latter part of 1827, the pre- 
mises were sold to Isaac W. Skinner, from Buffalo, and R. W. Bush^ of 
Ogdensburgh, under the firm of Skinner & Bush, who continued about 
three years. At this time, Wm. H. Alexander, of Syracuse, took the 
place of Bush, under the firm of Alexander & Skinner, who have con- 
tinued the business till the present time, with little interruption. It has 
been run exclusively on bog ore, mostly loam ore, which yields about 
twenty per cent, and makes a good quality of iron. The iron made has 
been partly exported in the pig, but since 1843, the greater part has been 
cast into stoves, and other castings, upon the premises. Two cupola 
furnaces have been erected, for remelting the iron for castings. About 
1843, a machine shop was erected for finishing mill irons, and other ar- 
ticles, and a large amount of this business has been done here. A hot 
blast has been introduced, and is now used exclusively. The furnace 
has been three times burned. At the first of these burnings, the en- 
tire premises were consumed, but the latter only burned the casting 
house. Coal is obtained within from 1 to 3 miles, at a cost of about $4 
per hundred bushels. Two brick coal kilns have been built, but their 
use here, as well as elsewhere, has been discontinued, the coal not being 
found to be of so good a quality as that burned in pits covered with earth 
in the usual way. Most of the inhabitants of this place are directly or 
indirectly dependent upon the iron works for employment. The sur- 
rounding country is much of it still a wilderness, the settlements being 
new and scattered, and presents an appearance of desolation from its 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 271 

having been overrun by a fire in the summer of 1849. This destructive 
fire spread through the woods, fi-om Norfolk across the towns of Brasher, 
Bombay, Fort Covington, and Westville, taking in its course every thing 
combustible, and killing most of the standing timber, which still re- 
mains a dismal monument of its ravages. Many thousands of dollars 
worth of pine and other choice timber were destroyed; in some places 
every thing valuable of the soil was burned, fields of grain were over- 
run, miles of fenecs swept away, and many houses and barns burned. 
The work of destruction continued several weeks, but was most violent 
and uncontrollable about from the fifteenth to the twentieth of July. The 
eiforts of the inhabitants succeeded in some instances in checking the 
conflagration, but in other cases human efforts were unavailing, and 
flaming surges swept onward without restraint. The scenery of the 
burning forests, especially at night, is said to have been awfully sublime 
and impressive. 

An accident happened at the furnace, in September, 1843, which de- 
stro3'ed the building and fatally burned one of the laborers. This was 
caused by the blowing up of the furnace, an accident to which those 
supplied by loam oi-e, are more liable dian others, and against which 
nothing but the greatest care of those having charge, can effectually 
guard. It is caused by the clogging up of the inside, by which the 
mass of ore and fuel does not settle down as the parts below waste 
away, before the blast, thus forming a cavern of intensely glowing heat. 
When the mass above becomes detached and falls, the water in the 
damp ore being instantly changed to steam, expands with terrific vio- 
lence, always throwing out of the furnace whatever it contains, and 
usually setting fire to the -wood work on the premises, and effectually 
putting a stop to the blast. On the occasion of the blowing up of this 
furnace in September, 1843, the liquid iron at the bottom was thrown out 
by the violence of the explosion, misei-ably burning one of the firemen, 
who died a few hours after in the greatest agony. Similar accidents 
have happened at Carthage, and other furnaces in Northern New York, 
that are supplied with bog ores. 

The village of Brasher Falls, near the southwest corner of the town on 
St. Regis river, about a mile below the junction of the two branches, and 
the same distance from the Brasher and Stocholm depot on the Northern 
rail road, was first commenced by John Crapser, of New York, who, in 
the fall of 1826, built a dam and saw mill on the falls in the river at this 
place. The saw mill was got in operation for lumbering, and two or 
three dwellings erected the following spring; but no increase occurred 
in the place until the fall of 1839, when Calvin T. Hulburd, of Stock- 
holm, purchased a tract of six hundred acres of land, on both sides of 



272 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the river, including the site of the present village. In 1841 he com- 
menced and fiuislied a grist mill and dwelling; a small woolen factory 
was built soon after. A bridge had been built, partly at the expense of 
the town, several years previous to 1839. A fork and hoe factory was 
established by F. and T. R. Taylor in 184G, a manufactory of agricultu- 
ral implements, by Davis & Co., from Maine, in 1851, and a foundery by 
the same company in 1852. The fliciiities of this place for manufactur- 
ing purposes, are worthy of especial notice; as the amount of water 
power is immense, and still but partly appropriated, and its vicinity to 
the railroad, gives it a direct access to market. The St. Regis river, the 
two branches of which unite near the rail road bridge, a mile above, here 
descends a declivity which, in a state of na^re, must have presented a 
rapid of singular wildness and beauty. T|ie volume of water is here 
amply sufficient for a large amount of pov4>er, and admits of being re- 
l)eatedly used within a short distance. Among the manufactories at this 
place, those of forks and hoes, by Messrs. Tayloi", and of agricultural 
implements, by Davis & Co., are quite extensive, and give employment 
to a great number of laborers. The former of these deserves mention' 
from its being the pioneer in the business of manufacturing cast steel 
polished forks in the country. Mr. F. Taylor commenced this business 
at Parishville in 1831. In 1840, he erected at Bicknellville machinery for 
facilitating the business, and here during five or six years, the number of 
forks and hoes n)ade, I'anged from fifteen to twenty thousand a year. In 
1846 the manufactory was removed to Brasher Falls, where from twenty 
to thirty thousand forks, and from six to twelve thousand hoes, are made 
annually, and exported from hence to nearly every state of the union. 

Religious Societies, — The First Presbyterian and Congregational 
church of Helena, was organized June 1, 1837; Benjamin Nevins, 
Linus Kibble and Grant Johnson, trustees. A church edifice was built 

in 1837-8, and the Rev. Messrs. Rufus R. Demming, of Massena, 

Howe and Charles Jones have been emjiloyed as a partial supply, there 
having been no settled pastor. The First Pi-esbyterian society of 
Brasher Falls, was incorporated under the general act, February 24, 
1845. Ebenezer S. Hulburd, Martin Smith, Hiram Holcomb, Sidney 
Kelsey, Justin Bell, Jehiel Stevens and Elijah Wood, being the first 
trustees. The church was formed July 8, 1844, by about seventeen 
members, mostly from the church in East Stockholm, who employed the 
Rev. S. S. Howe, as their first clergyman. He has been succeeded by 
Rev. Charles Jones and Hiram Dyer, the present pastor. A church 
edifice was erected in 1847. The church at present numbers about 60. 
The P"'irst Society of the Methodist Ej)iscopal church of Maple Ridge, 
was incorporated February 29, 1848; D. Wait, William E. Wait, Luther 
S. Carter, Benjamin Bell and V. G. Carter, trustees. The First Society 
of the M. E. church of Brasher Falls, incorporated April 10, 1S48, had 
David Richards, Heman Holmes, Joseph Eester, Ethan Johnson and 
John S. Hall, as its first trustees. Each of these societies has a chape], 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 273 

the one at the falls having been built in 1851. At Brasher Iron Works, 
a liaptist society has existed, but has been scattered. A Freewill Bap- 
tist church was formed in this town in July, 1848, by Eld. John Sweat. 
Its first number was 9, and present 13 members. Eld. A. P. Walcott is 
pastor. In 1851, a catholic church was built half a mile east of the 
village, by tlie Rev. Mr. Keveuy, of Hogansburgh. 

Canton 
Was erected from Lisbon, March 28, 1805, with its present limits, the 
first town meeting being held at the house of Stillraan Foote. The poor 
moneys were to be divided by the last tax list. During this session, the 
settlers of Oswegatchie, Madrid and Massena had petitioned for a divi- 
sion of these towns, and Mr. B. Wright, in the assembly, from the com- 
mittee to whom the matter had been referred, reported March 26th, that 
" they found their situation peculiarly inconvenient, as they had to travel 
from fifteen to thirty miles to town meeting." 

Memoranda from the Town Records. — In 1806 and 1812, S5 bounties 
offered for wolves, and in 1810 and 1816, 810. In 1810, a fine of $12 
imposed on all jugglers, mountebanks and wire dancers. $50 raised, 
for securing the rights and privileges of fish ; and S. Foote, D. Campbell 
and N. Walker, a committee for the pur[)ose. This was afterwards a 
matter of solicitude with the town, and of legislative action. In 1815, 
C. Wilson, F. Tracy and Wm. Richardson were appointed a committee 
for making Grass I'iver navigable for fish of all kinds to come up and 
down at pleasure, and $50 voted for the purpose. On the 12th of April, 
1824, a law made Grass river a public higliway, from its mouth to the 
high falls, in Canton, and dams were allowed to be erected, on condition 
that passages or sluices should be made for fish to pass. Neglecting this, 
or setting nets or weiers, was punisliable by a fme of $25. As early as 
April 5, 1813, a law was passed, " that no person should draw any seine, 
set any net, or make any obstructions, in Oswego, Racket or St. Regis 
rivers, under a penalty of S25. The avowed object of this law was, to 
|)rotect Salmon, which frequented these rivers in early times, and in 
1806-7, were caught as far up Grass river as Russell. In 1825, the town 
appointed Minot Jenison and Thomas D. Olin to enquire into the con- 
dition of dams, and prosecute any violation of the law; promising to 
indemnify them for losses arising from law suits. 

In 1811, resolved to preserve in the town records, the dates of births, 
deaths and marriages, which were to be reported to the clerk under a 
penalty of $1; and in 1812, it was made the duty of the assessors to 
collect these data. In 1823 and 1825, $500 voted for the support of the 
poor, and similar but smaller sums voted in other years. In 1835, the 
legislature was petitioned for a law, to tax the town $500, to be paid to the 
trustees of the public lands in trust for the academy, to be invested for 
its benefit, on condition that the trustees execute iionds for the convey- 
ance of the lot and buildings for a school. In 1836, M. Jenison, J. H. 
Conkey, S. D. Olin, R. (V. Harrison, D. Mack, J. Ames, 2d, C. Foote, S. 
Wright Jr., L. Moody, D. Clark, II. Barber and A. Smith appointed a 
committee to superintend the academy, and employ a teacher, and to 
attend to the interest of the town therein. In 1837, voted a tax of $500 
for three years for the academy, on condition that a subscription of an 
equal sum be raised. In 1840, a crow bounty of one shilling, and in 
1841-2, one often cents voted. In 1846, $1,C00 voted for a town house, 



274 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

in three equal sums. Benjamin Squires and Cjtus Abernethy a com- 
mittee to erect it. In 1849, at a special meeting, the legislature was 
petitioned for a law taxing the town $6,000, in six equal sums, for build- 
ing a plank road, from the village to town line, towards Gouveneur, 
•wi)ich was done. Luman Mood}', Theodore Caldwell and Joseph J. 
Merriman were recommended as commissioners to build the road. 

Swpenjfsors.— 1806, Stillman Foote; 1807-8, Daniel Walker; 1809-12, 
Daniel Campbell; 1813-22, Daniel Walker; 1823-4, Thomas D. Olin; 
1825-6, Jeduthan Farwell; 1828-30, James Parkill ; 1831-3, Silas Bald- 
win Jr.; 1834-5, John Heaton; 1836-40, Lemuel Buck; 1841-2, Henry 
Barber; 1843-4, Richard N. Harrison; 1845-6, Henry Barber; 1847-8, 
Cyrus Abernethy; 1849, William F. Cahoou; 1850-2, Hiram S. Johnson. 

Canton was surveyed by Amos Lay, assisted by Reuben Sherwood 
and Joseph Edsall, in the summer of 1799. Their labors included both 
townships of Canton and Lisbon. Among the men who were employed 
to assist, were the following: Festus and Septimus Tracy, Nahum Allen, 

George Goss, Abner Hazelton, Alvin White, Jacob Redington, 

Thompson. The supplies of provisions for the summer's operations, 
were boated up in canoes, through Oswegatchie river and Indian cieek 
(natural canal), and up the Grass river, to the site of the present village 
of Canton. While working near the St. Lawrence, their supplies were 
carried directly over at whatever j)oint they might happen to need them. 
The survey of the two townships being completed, the hands returned 
to New England through Canada. While the survey was going on, the 
parties engaged on it were frequently back and forth from the front 
settlements in Canada, and the subject of the value of the lands was 
much discussed, and a high idea was entertained of their probable value 
for agricultural purposes. This led to the formation of an association, 
consisting of thirty or forty Canadians, who proposed to form a settle- 
ment on the tract, and who sent one of their number to Albany, to 
negotiate a bargain with the proprietors, for a purchase. This agent is 
said to have effected a conditional bargain for one-quarter of a township, 
wherever the company might wish to locate, io J^isbon or Canton. Upon 
receiving this intelligence, the whole pai-ty decided upon traversing the 
tract, to learn its actual value, by direct observation; and accordingly, 
taking several days' provisions on their backs, and guided by persons 
who had been employed in the survey, they separated in small parties, 
and pursued their course in various directions, through the woods. At 
night they would meet at an appointed place, kindle an immense fire of 
logs and dry materials which they collected, and camp around it for the 
night. 

Every thing proceeded agreeably for a while, but unfortunately for 
their harmony, numbers of them came from different quarters upon a 
remarkably beautiful tract of land, in the southeastern part of Canton' 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 275 

where the hard timber was unusually clear and lofty, and a meandering 
stream wandered through the forest between banks that, in their native 
growth of timber and herbage, and the soil at the surface, betokened 
imusual richness and fertility. Here, without the knowledge of each 
other, several parties resolved to locate their interests, and in accordance 
with the prevalent custom, commenced slight improvements, which, in 
their opinions, would confer a preemption right to the soil. These pro- 
ceedings soon became known to the whole party, and the overlapping 
claims of rivals engendered a party strife, in which each loudly vocifer- 
ated his claims, and insisted upon the priority of his arrival, and fin an 
incredibly short space of time, the schemes of the whole party were 
dissipated. Of confidence in each other's hotior, they had none; and 
the mutual distrust led to the dissolution of the company, who scattered 
immediately, and by different routes, sought the St. Lawrence, and 
crossed again to Canada. Some being ignorant of the course of the 
rivers, wandered from their way, and did not reach the gi-eat river, till 
they had arrived in Louisville; and when they gained the settlements, 
were well nigh exhausted with hunger and fatigue. 

The first land that was taken up with the view of actual settlement in 
the town of Canton, was by Daniel Harrington, a native of Connecticut, 
but who had afterwards lived in Vermont, and in Canada. In 1800, he 
took up a tract of land on the east side of Grass river, where Canton vil- 
lage now is, having commenced a small improvement the fall before, 
which consisted of a slight clearing, near the present agricultural fair 
ground, and on the bank of the river, whei-e he sowed less than an acre 
of land to wheat, in the fall of 1800; and having no team to assist him, 
he harrowed in the grain with a hand rake. The crop was sold to Mr. 
Foote, and when harvested, yielded more than sixty bushels, notwith- 
tanding the immense numbers of squirrels of that year. By a striking 
coincidence, the officers of the society in selecting their fair grounds 
located them almost exactly on the spot which had thus early betokened 
its capabilities for agricultural improvement. The cabin of this pioneer, 
stood on the spot where the flag staff of the fair ground is erected. In 
the fall of 1799, several men came into town, and made slight clearings, 
supposing that thereby they acqired a preemption right; but the first per- 
manent settler, was Stillman Foote, Esq., from Middlebury, ■Vt.,who came 
into town to look for lands, in 1800, and purchased the mile square, on 
which Canton village now stands. Harrington's title, including the wheat 
crop, he purchased for a horse, saddle and bridle. In March, 1801, Mr. 
Foote left his home in Vermont, for his location, with two teams laden 
with provisions and furniture; but upon the approach of warm weather, 
be was obliged to leave a great part of his load at Willisborough, on Lake 
18 



276 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Champlain, to be taken, together with the irons for a mill, l^ the more 
circuitous route of Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence river to Lisbon, 
the nearest accessible point, about 18 miles from his destination. A very 
poor road conducted our emigrants as far as Chateaugay, where feveiy 
trace of a road ended, and they were obliged to seek the St. Lawrence at 
St. Regis, where they crossed and proceeded along the Canada shore to 
opposite Lisbon. From this place they were guided to Canton by an ob- 
scure trace marked for a road. Mr. Daniel W. Chinch, who had been 
engaged as a millright, followed by water, having charge of the mill irons 
and remainder of the loading left at the lake. From his diary before us. 
the following memoranda are taken : 

•'March 27th, took leave of my family and home. 29th, went to Bason 
Creek, and waited some days. April 1st, got a passage for old Mr. Foote, 
[Daniel F., the father of S. F.,] to Plattsburgh, in company with one Mr. 
Storer, who had a spare horse there, and sent my two men with him. 
Thought I had taken a prudent step to keep the old gentleman from 
catching the small pox, which he would be much exposed to, should he 
go with me through Canada. 4th. Got our loading on board, and set 
sail; got myself set on shore at Cariotte to get more loading. The vessel 
could not wait; I got aboard of another witli Johnson, and set sail. Just 
at night the wind rises, and the evening is very dark. The passengers, of 
whom there were 50, begin to be very sick. The vessel is poorly manned, 
and I remain on deck to assist the captain in working it, as it is in some 
danger. Run in at Peru, and lay at anchor in the swell all night. Could 
hardly see land when within 20 yards; and suffered intolerably with cold, 
having no blanket, nor even great coat. 5tb. The wind dies away, and 
we set our passengers on shore, and sail w ith a moderate breeze till the 
morning of the 6th, when we reached St. John. Met with Johnson and 
my other company, and walked to Laprairie. 8th. Go to the Indian vil- 
lage, 9 miles above Laprairie, and ferry across to Lachiue. The Indian 
village is the handsomest town I have seen in my whole voyage, except 
Mt. Real. To see the Indians at their homes was quite new to me. 9th. 
Went back to Mt. Real, on foot, after a canal ticket. Set out just at even- 
ing, and it was dark before I left the place. Lost my way, and returning, 
was hindered some time, but ai-rived at my company in so short a time, 
as to surprise them. 10th. Agree with Mr. Tuttle concerning a boat, as 
follows: He is to have a boat and two hands, or one band and work him- 
self; and I am to find the rest of the help, and pay ihe canal ticket. Tuttle 
is clerk to one Crystler, and takes a passage in another boat, and agrees 
with Mr. Grant to hire two hands, but the latter can not, because it is 
seed-time with the Canadians. We set out without any help, but can 
not get along, the current is so strong. Happen to hear of two hands, 
who will go to Pt. Clair, 8 or 9 miles; hire them and arrive there. 11th. 
Go to Cedars with great difficulty. 12th. Arrive at the King's locks, 
where the hands being all beaten out, leave the boat, and we hire Cana- 
dians in their room. I go in the boat and come very near getting lost 
in the rax)ids. Meet with as much hardship as I know how to get along 
with, and after toiling as hard as possible, arrive at the head of Lake St. 
Francis, between 9 and 10, in the evening. 13th. Sail across the lake a 
little below Cornwall. 14th. Go above Cornwall. Tuttle hires 2 hands, 
one good, the other worse than none. We find it impossible to get any 
farther with our loading. 15th. Arranged business, and set out on foot, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 277 

hardly able to stir. Go to Crystlers, and have dfficulty in settling with 
who refuses to allow some borrowed money. 16th. Arrive at Lis- 
bon, at the house of James Turner. 17th. Reach Canton, with seventeen 
blic son my hand, occasioned by rowingandpuUing the bateau along. 
Find Thomas down with the fever and ague," 

Mr. Church was accompanied by Libeus Johnson and sons; John 
Flannegan, a journeyman, Thomas Marvin, an apprentice, and one or 
two others. He found in the camp Mr. Foote and his father, who had 
come through on horseback, and others to the number of twelve, who 
all occupied the same shanty, and without the first convenience ; as every 
article not of prime necessity, had been left at Cornwall until a road 
could so far be cleared as to allow of the passage to teams. An entire 
week was consumed in getting the teams fi'om Lisbon, and on Saturday 
night they were still three miles from camp, where the cattle were left 
to browse,, and the men came on. The whole party then proceeded to 
return to them, and the loads were got in. The first clearing was made 
on the west side of the river near the water's edge just below the present 
bridge. The pai'ty immediately set about preparing the fi'ame of a saw- 
mill, but had scarcely begun opei-ations, when the camp was visited by 
sickness, and one of the number stricken down by death. On the 2d of 
May, Mr. Church, the mill-wright, was attacked by an intermittent fever, 
contracted the summer previous, and about the same time, the elder Mr 
Foote was taken with symptoms, at first not understood, but soon too 
sadly recognized as the small pox. Five of the company had been in- 
oculated, and this operation was forthwith performed upon the other 
six. Although nearly four score years of age, the invalid bore his sick- 
ness well, and at one time it was hoped he would survive. But on the 
accession of the secondary fever, he grew worse and died. His last 
words were : " God's will be done." Mr. Church at this time, was not 
able to sit up in his couch of hemlock boughs, and the symptoms were 
beginning to appear upon those who had been inoculated. Stillman 
Foote had fallen a few days previous, and broken a rib, which disabled 
him from rendering assistance. They kept the corpse until the third 
day, watching it by turns, and then committed it to the earth, wrapped 
in the hammock on which he died, with a few hemlock boughs below 
him, and the bark of an elm tree for a cofiin. There was at this time, 
no medical aid to be had, nearer than Johnstown, in Canada, and even 
this was not to be reached, as the heavy rains had rendered all the 
streams impassable, so that a young man who had been sent out, was 
obliged to return. This is believed ttt lie the first death of a white per- 
son in Canton, and occurred May 10th, 1801. We will here resume our 
quotation from Mr. Church's diary, which describes the difiiculties of 



278 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the settlers with vividness. It covers some of the events above de- 
scribed : 

" iVTay 2. Myself had the fever and ague. 4th. Had an intolerable fit 
of it. Gloomy times. 5th. Worked. Very rainy at night; camp leaks 
everywliere; no place to lay down in. Sleep none at all. Have free 
scope for my thoughts, not having anythinir to interrupt me, but the 
snoring of the rest of the company, soaking in water. With great diffi- 
culty I ])revent the rain dropping on old Mr. Foote. Let any person 
imagine himself in the woods, fifteen miles from any house, sick of the 
fever and ague, one of the conipany rotten with the small pox, one with 
his ribs broke, one other ghostified with the fever and ague, three in- 
oculated with the small pox, and only three well ones, and let him 
imagine himself exposed to all the rains, without physician, or nurse, or 
medicines; then let him awake and find it a dream, and see how glad 
he will be! 10th. More trouble; the old gentleman died, and I am 
growing worse every day. The three well ones bury the old man as 
well as they can in his hammock, and put some barks over him. Hard 
times for poor Stillman, who had to lay his own father in his winding 
sheet. 13th. Hide out to Lisbon with extreme difficulty. I can not sit 
on a horse. Ride bare-backed. Get wet with rain through and through. 
From Canton to Lisbon settlement is filteen miles without the least 
opening; very little road, and very many swamps and mireholes. 14th. 
Go to Dr. Adams's and back on foot, fourteen miles. Half an hour be- 
fore I set ont while the fever was on, J could not walk across the house. 
25th. So far recovered as to ride back to Canton." 

Mr. Church was soon compelled to go back to his friends, and the rest 
of the party having partly finished the mill, returned back to spend the 
winter in Vt. In the spring of 1802, Mr. Foote returned with his family, 
consisting of a wife, two sons, and a daughter, and they took up their 
abode in a corner of the saw-mill. Mr. Church and three companions 
proceeded through the woods from Chateaugay, a distance of about 70 
miles, without mark or guide, but a compass. Their goods were borne 
by a pack-horse, and they were five days on the pathless road, most of 
the time in the rain, and towards the last of their journey, so short of 
provisions, that they were obliged to subsist upon pork and partridges, of 
the latter of which they chanced to kill a few on the way. During this 
summer a single run of rock stones driven by a tub wheel, was got in 
operation in a part of the mill, and this was the first and only grist mill 
in town, until after the war. 

During the summer of 1802, a thriUing incident happened, which well 
nigh proved fatal to one of the party. On a sabbath morning about 20 
persons had assembled at the mill from the several clearings to spend a 
day in social intercourse, and discuss the news. Two men were cross- 
ing the river in the only boat in the place, and had gained an island, 
when the current unexpectedly caught the boat, and was taking it down 
stream. One jumped out, but in so doing, threw the bow of the boat 
further into the current, and the remaining one finding it impossible to 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 279 

gain the island, jumped overboard with his setting pole, and lodged on a 
rock where he could maintain himself but with great difficulty, while 
the boat was swept down, and broken among the rapids below. Mr. 
Church procured a rope and swam over to the island, where making one 
end fast to a tree, he let himself down stream till he could get the other 
end into the hands of the one in peril, who was thus rescued from what 
appeared to be certain destruction. 

In 1802, the town began to settle rapidly, and among others, Peter R. 
Leonard, Moses Leonard, Thomas D. Olin, Chester Dewey, Lebeus 
Johnson, and five sons. James Parkil, Daniel Walker, Nathan ^Valker, 
Kingsbury, most of them with families, and from Vermont, immi- 
grated. The first school was taught in 1804, by William Barker; and 
religious meetings began to be held the same year. The second death 
was that of one Osgood, who was killed in 1803, about three miles south 
of Foote's, by the fall of a tree. The first birth in town, was a daughter 
of L. Johnson, in 1803; and the first male born in town, is said to have 
been a son of P. R. Leonard, in 1803. 

Before the wai-, a forge was built on the east side of the river by Mr. 
Foote, and run upon bog ores from the north part of the town. The 
extravagant price of iron at that period, justified an expense for its re- 
duction, that would be now wholly inadmissible. A dam was built at 
the village soon after the mill, but the bridge not till after the war. The 
west side of the river long continued to be the principal seat of business. 
A Mr. Farwell is said to have been the first settler east of the river, 
where the most of the village of Canton is now located. 

In 1831, (April 9.) the legislature voted a tax of $1,800 on the town, 
for a bridge at the village, naming Jno. Day, Isaac Heaton, and Thomas 
H. Conkey, commissioners for its erection, with power to anticipate by 
a loan, the fund to be raised. This bridge was destroyed by a freshet 
in June, 1843. It was soon rebuilt, and in 1852, again rebuilt. 

The first inn in Canton, was opened by Mr. Foote, soon after he be- 
came established, and for several years the town settled very fast. In 
the south part of the town, in the vicinity of South Canton, Benjamin 
Rose, of Dorsett, Vt, began in 1806, and soon after, Ward Squires, Abner 
Wells, and John Rose. The village of Canton began to grow rapidly 
after the location of the court house, in 1828, and its central location, in 
the midst of a highly cultivated region and fine water power, give it 
much importance. A destructive fire occurred here on the 4th of Octo- 
ber, 1843. 

The village of Canton was incorporated May 14, 1845. Irs bounds 
were made to include the jail limits, as they then existed, excepting 
thereout the bridge across Grass river. The officers of the village were 



280 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

to be five trustees, two of whom shall be inhabitants of the two school 
districts on the east side of the river, and the fifth to reside on the west 
side of the river, with three assessors, one treasurer, one clerk, and one 
collector, who were to be elected on the first Monday of May of each 
year. The president of the board of trustees was to be chosen by them- 
selves, out of their number, soon after each annual election. The powers 
of the trustees extended to those subjects which relate to the internal go- 
vernments of a village, including the organization and supervision of a 
fire department, the care of roads and public squares, &c., coupled with 
the power of enforcing their regulations by fines within certain limita- 
tions fixed by statute. The following is a list of the trustees which have 
been elected annually in the village of Canton, since its organization. 
The persons elected as president are given in italics: 

1846, Prosper Barrows, Benjamin Squire, Nathan Pratt, Barzillai Hod- 
skin, and JVathaniel Hodskin. 

1847, Ebenezer Miner, Daniel Mack, Elias G. Page, Harry Smith, Or- 
ville Page. 

1848, Ebenezer Miner, B. Hodskin, Calvin Williams, Hai-ry Smith, 
Prosper Barrows. 

1849, P. Barrows, S. J. Bingham, Harvey M. Childs, H. Smith, Paul 
Boynton. 

1850, E. Miner, Darius Clark, A. R. Kipp, O. Page, Nathaniel Hodskin. 

1851, Wm. Blanchard, Theodore Caldwell, Vincent Coan, Martin 
Thatcher, P. Boynton. 

1852, Benjamin Squire, Luman Moody, Clapp Bailey, O. Page, L. B. 
Storrs. 

By an act passed April 21, 1846, the board of supervisors were di- 
rected to levy a tax of $333'33 annually, for thi'ee years, in Canton, for 
the erection of a town house in that village, to be paid to Benjamin Squire 
and Cyrus Abernethy, who were named in the act as commissioners to 
expend the above sum for this pui-pose. The supervisor of the town is 
ex-officio the trustee of the house, and has control of the same. The 
town house was accordingly erected, and stands fronting a public square 
before the county buildings, and near the academy. 

On the 11th of April, 1832, the Canton Social Library was incorpo- 
rated ; Darius Clark, Moses Whitcomb, Wm. Perry, Jr., Lyman Langdon, 
Wm. F. Cahoon, Elias C. Page, and Benjamin Walker, being first trustees. 
Like most other librai*y associations this is believed to have become 
extinct since the formation of school distiuct libraries. 

On both sides of Grass river, but mostly on the west bank, and near 
the north part of the town, is the village of Morley, which name it re- 
ceived in 1835 from the family name of the Harrison relatives. It was 
formerly called Long Rapids, and first began to be settled in the spring 
of 1810, by S. Foote, of Canton, who built a saw mill here. In 1811, a 



AISD FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



281. 



second saw mill, and in 1815 a wooden grist mill, were built, the latter 
by Christopher Wilson. Mr. F. sold his interest in 1812. The sum of 
$150 was in 1817 voted for a bridge at this place. The present stone 
mill was built for Mr. Harrison, the proprietor. It is a place of consider- 
able business, having two saw mills (one a gang mill of 32 saws), four 
sliingle machines, a sash factory, taimery, two wagon shops, a taveru, 
three stores, and about fifty or sixty families. A plank road from Can- 
ton to the Northern Rail Road passes through the village. 

Near the north-west corner of the town, on the Oswegatchie river, 
and 11 miles distant from Ogdensburgh, with which place it communi- 
cates by plank road, is the village of Rensselaer Falls, which began in 
1839, by the erection of a forge, by Tate, Chafee & Co. It first had the 
name of Tateville, from Robert Tate, of the above firm, but it has 
been more generally known as Canton Falls, until the recent establish- 
ment of a post office. The forge was west of the river, and at first had 
three fires, and was worked on specular ore from Hermon, and bog ores 
from Lisbon. A saw mill was built in 1839 by Mr. Van Rensselaer, the 
proprietor, and in 1846 the present stone grist mill. This village has 
been surveyed into lots, and the Oswegatchie, which here has a fall of 
about six feet, gives it an abundant water power. A congregational 
church was formed here in 1842, and a society in 1847, who erected a 

church edifice in 1848. The Rev. • Parsons, and Rev. Goreham 

Cross, have been employed here. A cemetery association at this place 
was incorporated April 15, 1852, with Jacob ShuU, B. Morrison, Augus- 
tus Johnson, A. G. Pierce, G. W. Cooper, and Caleb S. Johnson, 

* 
trustees. 

Near this village the JVatural canal, which forms so striking a feature 
of the country, joins the Oswegatchie. It was originally open both at 
this and Grass river, and navigable for small boats, and became the high- 
way to mill by the pioneers This channel is six miles long, and from 
5 to 10 and even 25 rods wide, with a descent of three feet towards the 
Oswegatchie. It runs through an alluvial flat, of about 4500 acres, 
covered by a forest of black ash and soft ma|)le, which has hitherto been 
too wet to cultivate, but is now in process of reclaiming. The oudet on 
the Oswegatchie has been closed, and a canal cut along the bank to be- 
low the dam, by which the water is expected to be lowered about four 
feet. It has cost about $6000. The oudet on Grass river has long since 
been closed. This channel is known on some maps, and among the in- 
habitants, as Indian creek. 

In 1816, an act of 1807, relating to the gospel and school lots of central 
New York, was extended to this county, and authorized the supervisor, and 
two commissioners, chosen at a town meeting, to lease them for a term not 



282 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

over 21 years, and to apply the proceeds to the support of the gospel or 
schools, or botli, as the town might vote. On tlie 21st of March, 1823, a 
law was passed allowing three trustees to be chosen, with powers similar 
to those of the town of Madrid previously created. 

About a mile below the High falls on Grass river, near the south part 
of Canton, where that I'iver issues from a romantic rocky ravine, its 
channel broken by rapids, and its banks discolored by reddish and yel- 
low stains from the efflorescence of iron pyrites, which here form an im- 
portant constituent of the rock, stand the remains of a manufactory of 
copperas and alum, which have for many years been going to ruin. 
This inanufactory was commenced in the year 1832, by S. & H. Foote, 
of Canton, who on the following summer were joined by G. W. Shep- 
ard, and J. C. Bush, of Ogdensburgh, the premises having been leased 
for ten years for the pui'pose. During the first year, but little was done, 
but getting the works in order, and erecting suitable fixtures for the 
manufacture. In the summers of 1833-4-5, and a part of 1836, from 
sixty to eighty hands were employed, but the entei'prise being found one 
that did not remunerate it was abandoned. The process of the manu- 
facture depends upon chemical principles and was as follows. The 
rock abounding in iron pyrites, (sulphuret of iron) was first ^dug and 
broken by hand, a process easily effected, from the tender and porous 
texture of the mineral. A clay bed having been prepared on the 
ground, and a quanty of wood first laid, it was covered with the pulver- 
ized stone and ignited. When once fairly on fire, it would burn of itself, 
from the gi'eat percentage of sulphur in the mineral, and it needed no 
fui'ther care than to throw on new ore, with water, to reduce the pile to 
a smouldering heap, charged with the saline substances sought, which 
were lixiviated by the application of water ; the ley collected and boiled 
in a large leaden tank, ten or twelve feet square, and two feet deep, and 
when sufficiently concentrated pumped into vats and allowed to crystal- 
ize on racks hung in them for the purpose. After the first crop of 
crystals of copperas was obtained, the residual liquor was again boiled 
with the addition of certain proportions of potash, and the second time 
set to crystalize, when alum was obtained. The proportions obtained 
were three parts of copperas to one of alum. 

The fumes which arose from the burning and smouuldering heaps 
werevery disagreeable, and so noxious that a great number of trees in 
the vicinity were destroyed by those poisonous emanations. More than 
a thousand tons of copperas, and a third as much of alum, were made 
here while the works were in operation. Most of it found its way to 
the New York market. Unlimited quantities of iron pyrites, exist at this 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 283 

place which may hereafter offer inducements for the renewal of this 
manufacture, or the making of soda ash, should facilities for transporta- 
tion to marl\et be increased, or cheaper and more efficient methods of 
manufacture be discovered. 

Religious Societies. — The earliest religious organization in town was 
by the Presbyterians, who united under the Rev. Amos Pettingill, in 
1807. He was a missionary, sent by the New Hampshire Missionary 
Society, and was instrumental in forming several of the churches of this 
order in the county, for which reason a brief biographical notice may be 
appropriate. Mr. P. was born at Salem, N. H., Aug. 9, 1780, and in 
1798, he entered Atkinson Academy, and afterwards Harvard College, 
as a charity student, where he graduated in 1805. In June, 1806, he 
was appointed a missionary to travel through the new settlements, be- 
tween Lakes Champlain and Ontario, and spent sixteen weeks on this 
service, 'which by reason of the fewness of the inhabitants, the badness 
of the i-oads and the frequent want of comfortable lodgings, involved 
hardships little less than perilous.'* In December he was ordained as 
an evangelist, and employed by the Missionary Society, of Mass., and he 
the next year returned to his former labors, and in 1807, was installed 
over a church in Champlain, where he continued till after the war. He 
subsequently preached in several places, and died Aug. 19, 1830. In 
forming the Canton church, he was assisted by the Rev. Ebenezer Hib- 
hard, of Vt. It consisted of the following persons: George Foote, 
John Richardson, Weltha Foote, Betsy Donegly, M. Conkey, Jane Ross, 
and P. Richardson. They were only occasionally supplied by the minis- 
try until 1823, when the Rev. Hiram S. Johnson, became pastor, who 
remained until 1837, when he was dismissed from ill health, and 
in Feb. 1839, the Rev. Roswell Pettibonef was installed, who still 
remains the pastor. The 
First Presbyterian Society 
in the town of Canton, was _ 
incorporated, July 22, 1825, . '- 
Elias C. Page, Silas Wright, ^^ 
Jr., Joseph Barnes, Henry 

Foot, Wm. Richardson, and ^ 

Eden Ray, being the first ^g^ 
trustees. 

The church has received 

more than 300 members, but ^^p 
from deaths and removals, ^ 
they number at present, but" 
183. In 1826 or 7, the pub- 
lic square in front of the 
church and parsonage, here 
represented, was presented /^arT^^^ 
to the town, by Silas Wright, 

and Joseph Barnes. The Presbyterian church and Parsonage, Canton. 

church in the census of 1850, is reported capable of seating 1200, and 
worth $6,500. It is built of Potsdam sandstone, and is quite ornamental 
to the village. 

The First Congregational Society in the town of Canton, was incor- 

* Memoir of Amos Pettingill, from which these facts are derived. 
t We are indebted to Mr. P. for the above date. 




284 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

porated Jan. 16, 1815. Geo. Foote, Hosea Catlin, and Hubbard Clark, 
trustees. The First ftlethodist Society in the town of Canton, was in- 
corporated, Nov. 3, 1819; Jesse Barnes, Hugli Montgomerj', Isaac Bull, 
Jedutiian Farwell, Win. Perry, and Win. Richardson, trustees. As a 
farther account of the denomination will be given by itself, further no- 
tices, except the dates of incorporation will be omitted. The Frst Bap- 
tist Evangelical Society, of Canton, was incorporated Dec. 10, 1823; It. 
Bacheller, T. D. OJin, and Jno' Paul, trustees. Members of this order 
had associated as early as 1814-15, under the Kev.Ruppe Batchelor, fioin 
Addison, Vt., and in June 1817, tbrmed a church of 12 members. Mr. B. 
was ordained in 1818, and in 1819, Justin Olin and Joseph Oliu, were 
appointed deacons. Meetings were first held in the north part of the 
town, and afterwards at the village. Eld. Richard Palmer succeeded as 
pastor, iu 1825, Eld. Joel Peck, in 1831, and subsequently Henry Greene, 
O. Scott, Clement Havens, Silas Pratt, George Lile, and in Jan. 1842, 
L. D. Ford. After about two and a half years, Cha'sNickols, succeeded 
who remained two years. On the 8th of Dec. 1847, Eld. John Wilder, 
isucceeded, from whom these dates are derived. For several years from 
1831, a branch existed in the south part of the town, which has since 
been united with the main body. About 1830, this society united with 
the Universalists, in building the brick church, and in 1848 they built a 
separate church on an adjoining lot, at a cost of $1-200, which was dedi- 
cated by a sermon from Eld. Joseph Sawyer, Feb. 8, 1849. In a revival 
that soon followed, about forty members were added; the present num- 
ber is 130. The First Calvanistic Congregational Society, of Canton, 
was incorporated Sept. 15, 1823, Jeduthan Farwell, Wm. Hatch, Luther 
Brown, and Samuel Clark, trustees. 

The First Universalist Society, in the town of Canton, was incorpo- 
rated March 10, 1836; Lemuel Buck, Joseph Ames, 2d, and Minot Jeni- 
son, trustees. This society has an elegant brick church, fronting the pub- 
lic square, which in the census of 1850, is reported capable of seating 
1000 persons, and worth $5,000. This society has a church organiza- 
tion, and numbers about 300. The next society incorporated in town, 
was Grace Church, in the town of Canton, Aug. 92, 1836. Richard N. 
Harrison, Roswell Green, Wardens; John D. Burns, Darius Clark, Elam 
Russ, Harry Foote, Lyman Ellsworth, Thos. Viner, Chauncy Foote, and 
Henry Van Rensselaer, Vestrymen. A church was built in 1841-2, and 
consecrated Sept. 3, 1842, by the Bishop T .Onderdonk. At its organi- 
zation it numbered 19, and at present it has fifty rnenjbers. The clergy- 
men employed here have been, Richard Bury (1836), Wm. Tutham, 
Johnson A. Brayton, Thos. P. Tyler, F. J. Hawley, Wm. G. French, 
Minot M. Wells, and Abel Ogden, now presiding. Richard F. Harrison, 
present clerk. 

The First Methodist and Free- Will Baptist Union Societj^, of the 
village of Morley, was incorporated Feb. 1, 1842; Wm F. Hollenbeck, 
Henry Wells, Stephen D. Arnold, Thomas G. Meredith and Wesley 
Byington, trustees. The First Wesleyan Methodist Society, of the 
village of Morley, was incorporated, Sept. 23, 1843; D. Clemens, Joel 
Seger, Zelotus Whitney, John Allen, Wm. Allen, Thomas Bufl:am, trust- 
ees. This society has a church which in the census of 1850, is report- 
ed $1,000. The first Congregational Society of Canton .Falls, was 
incorporated July 19, 1847, John Shull, Jun., Wm. Hanna, Theophilus 
T. Rathbone, trustees. This society has erected a church. 

COLTON, 

Was erected from Parishville, April 12, 1843, embracing townships 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 285 

10, 7, 4, and 1. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the 
inn nearest the post office in Matildavale. This act took effect on the 
1st of February, 1844. Pain Converse was appointed to preside at the 
first town meeting. By an act of the board of supervisors passed 
November 18, 1851, that part of the town of Parishville, known as Mile 
Squares, number one, six, and twelve, and all that part of Mile Square 
lot number two, vilest of Raquette river, was taken from that town and 
annexed to Colton. This act was to take effect on the 1st of February, 
following. 

The town of Colton was erected in compliance with a petition from 
the town of Parishville, which at the town meeting of 1843, voted for 
the formation of a new town, by the name of Springfield. The present 
name is derived from the middle name of Jesse C. Higley, an inhabit- 
ant. A post office by the name of Matildaville, had been previously 
established, but this was soon changed to agree with that of the town. 

Memoranda from records. — The first set of town officers elected, were, 
Pain Converse, supervisor; James H. Bridge, clei-k; Zina Hepburn, 
Silas Hawley, Hiram Pierce, ji.iMices; Silas Hawley, Jessey C. Higley, 
inspectors of elections; J. C. Higley, James S. Ellis, Clark D. Norris, 
assessors ; J. C. Higley, sup. schools ; Israel C. Draper, Phineas Hepburn, 
Henry Gibbins, com. of highways; Zina Hepburn, Hiram Pierce, over- 
seers of poor; Hiram Leonard, collector and constable; Wait Perry, seaZer 
of iveights and measures. 

In 1844, the poor moneys, from Parishville, voted for the support of 
schools. In 1848, voted against a division of the county. 

Supervisors: 1844, Pain Converse; 1845-7, James S. Ellis; 1848-9, 
James H. Bridge; 1850-1, Silas Hawley; 1852, Lorenzo Chamberlain. 

The first settlement in this town was made in March, 18.24, by Abel 
Brown, and his son James Brown, and were very soon succeeded by 
Asahel Lyman and Wm. Bullard, who commenced their improvements 
a short distance south of the present village. In 1825, Horace Garfield, 
from Potsdam, erected a saw mill, and in 1828, Samuel Partridge built a 
forge of two fires on the right bank of the Raquette river, near the head of 
the falls. It was kept in operation until about 1840, and was run upon 
magnetic ores chiefly. Some bog ores wei-e used, but the adventure 
was considered rather as an experiment, and proving unprofitable, was 
abandoned. A starch factory was built here in 1844, and continued a 
few years, making about thirty-five tons, annually, from potatoes. In 
1828, a grist mill was built by Jonathan Culver, The recent impulse 
which has been given to the lumbering business, by the completion of 
the northern rail road, which has given new value to the immense forest 
which covers the southei-n part of the county, has ci-eated at the village 
of Colton, a lumbering interest of much importance, and more than 



286 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

doubled the size of the place within two years. About 1850, A. M. 
Adsit & Co., erected in the east bank of the river, a gang mill, of about 
70 saws, which, working day and night, manufacture 35,000 feet of 
boards, dailj', and in 1852, Messrs. Pratt, Bacheller & Co., erected on 
the opposite bank, a similar mill of 60 saws. In 1852, E. H. Southworth, 
built a gang mill, on the west bank, two miles above. 

The logs which supply these mills and seVei'al others below, come 
tlown the R^quette, in the spring floods, from the remote recesses of the 
forest, on the south border of the county, and from Franklin, Hamilton 
and Essex counties. So long as this supply lasts, the village of Coltou 
will possess importance, and when it is gone, the superior water power, 
and vicinity of iron ores, and fuel, may, if properly employed, make it a 
manufacturing place of considerable consequence. The river at the 
village plunges down a steep declivity, to the depth of about sixty feet, 
and it is said to have a fall of three hundred feet, within two miles. The 
■wildness and grandeur of these rapids, when the river is swolen by the 
melting of snow, can not be sufficiently admired, 

The tirst school in town, was taught in the summer of 1826, by Miss 
' - -' Young. The first death, was a child of James Brown, in 1829. 
The first religious meetings were held by the Christian sect, at the house 
of Mr. Lyman. There are at present, two religious organizations in town ; 
the Methodist and Universalist, each of which were in 1852, engaged in 
erecting a church. 

De Kalb. 

This town, embracing the original township of ten miles square, was 
erected from Oswegatchie, by the same act which formed Stockholm 
from Massena, and Potsdam from Madrid, by an act which finally passed 
the council of revision, February 21, 1806. 

The fii-st town meeting was, by the provisions of the statute, to be 
held at the hotel, in said town. The limits of De Kalb have been twice 
curtailed. In 1825, Depeyster was formed out of all that part of the town 
lying north of Beaver creek, and in 1830, a strip one mile wide, and six 
long, lying in the southeast corner, adjoining the township of Fitz Will- 
iam, was annexed to Depau, afterwards Hermon. 

De Kalb derives its name from an illustrious personage of revolution- 
ary memory. 

" The Baron De Kalb, knight of the royal military order of merit, was 
a native of Alsace (a German province ceded to France), and was edu- 
cated in the art of war in the French army. He was connected with the 
<iuarter-master general's department, and his experience in the duties of 
That station rendered his services very valuable to the American army. 
Toward the close of the Seven Years' War, he was dispatched to the 
British colonies in America, as a secret agent of the French government. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 287 

He traveled in disguise; yet on one occasion, he was so strongly sus- 
pected, that he w;is arrested as a suspicious person. Nothing being 
found to confirm the suspicion, he was released, and soon afterward 
returned to Europe. De Kalb came to America again, in the spring of 
1777, with La Fayettee and other foreign officers, and was one of the 
party who accompanied the marquis in his overland journey, from South 
Carolina to Philadelphia. Holding the office of brigadier in the French 
service, and coming highly recommended. Congress commissioned him 
a major general on the fifteenth of September, 1777. He immediately 
joined the main army under Washington, and was active in the events 
which preceded the encampment of the troops at Valley Forge. He 
was afterward in command at EHzabethtown and Amboy, in New Jersey ; 
and while at Morristown in the spring of 1780, was placed at the head 
of the Maryland division. With these, and the Continental troops of 
Delaware, he marched southward in April, to reinforce General Lincoln, 
but was too late to aftord him aid at Charieston. Gates succeeded 
Lincoln in the command of the Southern army, and reached De Kalb's 
camp, on the Deep river, on the- 28th of July, 1780. In the Irattle near 
Camdem, which soon followed, De Kalb, while trying to rally the scat- 
tered Americans, fell, pierced with eleven wounds. He died at Camden 
three days afterwards, and was buried there. An ornamental tree was 
placed at the head of his grave, and that was the only token of its 
place until a few years since, when the citizens of Camden erected over 
it an elegant marble monument. The corner stone was laid by La Fay- 
ette in 1825. It is upon the green, in front of the Presbyterian church, 
OH De Kalb street. The large base, forming two steps, is of granite; the 
whole monument is about fifteen feet in height." 

(Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, ii,p. 667, note.) 

Memoranda from the Town Records. — 1808. Voted that the weed called 
tory weed (Cynoglossura officinale), shall not be allowed to grow on 
any man's improvements, or in the roads. Penalty $1 for every neglect 
to destroy it, after ten days' notice. This law passed annually until 
1816. 1809. A penalty of $1 for allowing Canada thistles to go to seed. 
Renewed till 1816. 1810. $2 oflTered for every wolf scalp. 1813. A 
committee appointed to enforce the destruction of thistles an<l tory 
weed, or exact the penalty. 1818. The supervisor and town clerk a 
committee to petition for a road, to be laid out from Indian river to 
Hamilton (Antwerp to Waddington). 1820. $500 raised for the support 
of the poor. $10 bounty on wolves and panthers. Voted that all the 
public books in town be sent to the town library, and subject to its regu- 
lations, but not to be taken by persons out of town. 1823. Wolf bounty, 
$5. The avails of the gospel and school lots applied to common schools. 
1828. Resolved, That it is inexpedient to pass any resolution in relation 
to the county buildings. 1849. A special town meeting called March 
27, to consider the necessity and propriety of petitioning the legislature 
for a grant to pledge the credit of the town to raise money to build a 
plank road on the main stage road, through the villages of Richville and 
De Kalb. The petition was not sustained. 

Supervisors.— 19>QQ, Isaac Stacy; 1807-15, Isaac Burnham; 1816-18, 
Gideon Townsley; 1819-20, Elisha Griffin; 1821-8, Asa Sprague, Jr.; 
1829-30, Jonathan Round; 1831, Nathaniel Martin: upon his failing to 
qualify, Roswell White was appointed to fill vacancy. 1832-5, Asa 
Sprague; 1836-9, Seth Alexander; 1840-2, Harlow Go(Jard ; 1843-5, Asa 



288 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Sprague; 1846, Dwight Spencer; 1847-9, Oiin M. Fi^k; 1850, Edward 
H Hopkins. In September, Oriu M. Fisk appointed to fill vacancy; 
1851-2, Orin M. Fisk. 

The following is a list of the jurors in the town of De Kalb, in Sep- 
tember, 1806: 

Joseph Anderson, Elias Alexander, Seth Alexander, Ichabod Arnold, 
Isaac Burnham, Thomas B. Benedict, James Burnett, Amos Comly, 
James Farr, James Farr, Jr., Elisha Griffin, Potter Gofl^, Nathaniel Holt, 
Levi Holt, Jonathan Haskins, Horatio G. Johnson, Obediah Jolmson, 
Israel Porter, Solomon Pratt, Solomon Rich, Isaac Stacy, Henry Smith, 
Nathaniel Smith, Timothy Utley, Abner Wright, Joseph Woodhouse, 
William Woodhouse, Joshua Sweet. 

The following is a list of the electors in the town of De Kalb, on the 
2d of December, 1807, made by Thomas B. Benedict and Joseph Wood- 
house, who were appointed to take the census of the electors of that 
town. It embraces, with one exception (N. Holt), the heids of families: 

Josepli Anderson, Ichabod Arnold, Elias Alexander, Seth Alexander, 
Daniel Barker, Ralph R. Bell, Mansfield Bristol, Truman Bristol, James 
Burnet, Isaac Burnham, Barton Carver, Abraham Cole, Elisha Cook, 
James Cooper, William Cleghorn, Abel Cook, David Day, James Farr, 
Elisha Farr, Joseph Fisk, Ephraim Fisk, Mathew Grover, Elisha Griffin, 
Potter Goff; Russell Goff", Nathaniel Holt, Levi Holt, Philo Hurlbut, John 
Jackson, David Judson, Philo Lord, Abial Lyon, Richard Merrill, James 
Merrill, Solomon Pratt, Jacob Preston, Samuel Phelps, Solomon Rich, 
Salmon Rich, Joseph Rounds, William Sloan, Nathaniel Smith, Joshua 
Sweet, JohnSeeley, Isaac Stacy, Elijah Stockwell, Marvil Thair, Josiah 
T h orn tonT," "Sani ue 1 Thatcher, Timothy Utley, William Van Booscirk, 
William Woodhouse, Abner Wright, Eseck Whipple. 

It will be remembered that a part of the present town of Depeyster 
was a part of De Kalb, when the above census was taken. 

De Ktdb was purchased from Samuel Ogden, by judge William 
Coopei", the father of J. Fenimore Cooper, the illustrious author. 

In May, 1803, j udge Cooper, of Cooperstown, with a company of thirty- 
four persons, mostly from the towns of Cooperstown and Richfield, 
Otsego county, started to form a settlement on his purchase, in the town 
of De Kalb. A part of these, with two wagons, each drawn by a span 
of horses, and a cart drawn by two yoke of oxen, proceeded by way of 
the Black river country and the old state road, to the clearing of Abram 
Vrooman, near the present village of Ox Bow. Here, from the extreme 
badness of the road, it became necessaiy to build boats for a part of the 
loading, and two log canoes were made under the direction of Jehiel 
Dimick, which were lashed together, and loaded with a part of the 
fi'eight. The party consisted of William Cooper, the proprietor, Salmon 
Rich, Isaac Stacy, Eseck Whipple, Richard Merrill, Elisha Cook, William 
Brown, Gardner Brown, William Stone, Asa Ransom, Timothy Utley, 
Elijah Utley, Abner Wright, Andrew McCollom, Asa Ransom, Jun., 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 289 

James Farr, Elijah Fan-, wife and wife's sister, Joseph Woodhouse, 
William Woodhouse, Dr. Robert Campbell, Ralph R. Bell, wife, sister 
and daughter, Elijah Stockwell, Jehiel Dimick, John Hewlett and 
William Sloan. Of these, Dimick, Rich, Bell and Hewlett came down 
the Oswegatchie river with the load, and the remainder along the road 
towards Ogdensburgh. The first night was spent at a deserted shanty, 
five miles from the Ox Bow, and in the night the party were alarmed by 
the cries of one of their number, who discovered that a large dry birch 
tree, which they had fired to keep off the musquitoes, was about to fall 
upon them. They fled in the greatest haste, just in time to save them- 
selves, for the tree fell with a heavy crash upon the hovel, crushing and 
consuming it. A part of their bedding was lost by this misfortune. 

On the second night, they arrived at Bristol's, in the present town of 
Depeyster, where the women were left, and the men proceeded to open 
a road through to De Kalb. This was effected in eight days, and they 
proceeded to their location, just above Cooper's falls. Alexander McCol- 
lom, Potter Goff and Stephen Cook, who formed a part of the original 
party, came up the Mohawk, with goods, which Judge Cooper had 
bought in Albany, for the purpose of opening a srnall store, and with 
these, they reachetl the location in De Kalb, by way of Oneida lake, the 
St. Lawrence, and the Oswegatchie, arriving on the 12th of June, 1803, 
with the other parties, at the present village of Dekalb, On the first day, 
they put up the body of a house, and slept without a roof over their heads, 
the first night. On the second day, another house was built, and on the 
third day, a store, which like the others, was of logs, and covered by 
barks. Goff, Campbell and Andrew McCollom, were surveyors, and se- 
veral farms were run out. Salmon Rich, took up 11,850 acres, in the 
south corner of the town, Mr. Farr, a larger tract, in the eastern corner, 
and Stacy, another large ti-acr, near the north part of the town. Most of 
these afterwards reverted to Mr. Cooper's heirs. Clearings were begun 
in various places, and a party was set to work in preparing to erect a 
mill at the falls. A canal was blasted, and one or two houses built. Wm. 
Brown cleared and got in two acres of winter wheat. A saw mill was 
raised during 1803. 

Three families, andmostof the party remained the first winter. During 
the winter, and following spring, several families came in, among whom 
were Salmon Rich, Isaac Stacy, James Farr, Jonathan Haskins, James 
Merrill, Richard Merrill, Timothy Utley's family. Sackett Dodge, Dr. J. 
Seeley, Barton Carver, Seth, and Elias Alexander, Elijah Pooler, James 
Burnett, Nathaniel Holt, James Cooper, a brother of the proprietor, Elisha 
Griffin, and many others. In 1805, Philo Lord, Thomas B. Benedict 
Horatio Johnson, Obadiah Johnson, Jacob Preston, Wm. Cleghorn, 
Daniel Smith and sons, Harvey John, Nathaniel, Daniel, Phinneas and 



»r 



290 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Richard. The lattei- were from Canada, Solomon Pratt and many others, 
came in. In the spring' of 1804, Mr, Cooper commenced the erection of 
a grist mill, under the direction of three brothers by the name of Jack- 
son, (Cvriis, Asahel and Asa,) and at the raising of the frame, Asa Jack- 
son was severely Ihurt by falling upon his head. Dr. John Seeley per- 
formed the operation of trephining, with no other instrument than a steel 
thimble, which was fashioned into an annular saw, and fitted on a handle. 
This was the first surgical operation performed in town, and was suc- 
cessful. Dr. Seeley died. May 24, 1829. 

On the 13th of Sept. 1804, commenced a violent rain, which continued 
several days, and produced a freshet, which was very destructive, and 
raised the Oswegatchie as high as has since been known. Geo. Cowdry, 
one of the settlers, was drowned in going over the falls, at this time, and 
was the first white person known to have died in town. Early in May, 
1804, the first birth occurred in the family of Jehiel Dimick. The second 
was a daugiiter in the family of Salmon Rich, May 16th, of the same 
year. The first marriage was May, 27, 1804, of Elisha Cook to Letta 
Willey, and the ceremony was performed by Stillman Foote, Esq., of 
Canton, then the nearest magistrate. The second was Alexander Mc 
CoUom, and Olive Sprague, on the day following, and by the same ma- 
gistrate. The first .schoolin the town was taught by Bella Wills, a method- 
ist minister, in the winter of 1807, at De Kalb village, then called Coop- 
er's village. In 1805, Judge Cooper erected a large hotel, on a hill in the 
village, which was three stories high, sixty feet square, and a curb roof, 
and was the first public house in town. After a few years, it fell into 
decay, and has since been entirely destroyed. Isaac Stacy was the first 
tenant, and was soon succeeded by Wm. Cleghorn, who kept the house 
for some time. 

The early settlers were often atinoyedby their horses escaping into the 
woods, and wandering ofiF in the direction of their former homes. Se- 
veral were thus lost, and an iscident occurred while in pursuit of some of 
these, which is worthy of notice. La^e in December, it being very cold 
and the ground covered with snow, tw'o men started in pursuit of some 
horses, which were tracked to a distarice of many miles to the south- 
west, about into the present town of Fowler. The pursuit led them mucli 
further than anticipated, and they had not provided themselves with 
provisions sufficient for supporting the hardship of their journey, and in 
returning were oppressed with excessive hunger, cold and fatigue. Yield- 
ing to these, one of them wished to lie down and rest on the ground, a 
course which the other knew would be fatal, and against it he remon- 
strated in the strongest manner, but to no purpose, for the inclination to 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 291 

sleep was irresistible, and ai-giiments were of no avail with one who lost 
in emergencies of the moment, all control of his reasoning powers, and 
all hope of safety, by continuing on. He accordingly threw himself upon 
the ground to sleep, but his companion acting upon the principle, that the 
end justifies the means provided himeslf with a green beech twig of suf- 
ficient length and weight to give it effect, and with this he aroused the 
sleeper by several severe blows, and thus he continued to apply the rod, 
as occasion indicated, disregarding the present effect upon the temper of 
his friend, until they reached the settlements, both nearly exhausted and 
famished by the hardships they had encountered. 

The St. Regis and St. Francois Indians sometimes visited the settle- 
ments on hunting expeditions. They were entirely peaceable, except 
when intoxicated. In 1806, Tom, a St. Regis Indian, and Joe, his father- 
in-law, got into a quarrel over a quart of whiskey, and Joe got badly 
wounded, but finally recovered. It was observed that although much 
addicted to drink, at least one would keep sober to take care of the guns 
knives and tomahawks, which were concealed till the rest were sober. 

The first settlement of Richville, originally called Rich's Settlement, 
was made in the spring of 1804. In March, Salmon Rich and Jonathan 
Haskins, having loaded a sleigh with provisions, cooking utensils and 
camp apparatus, at Cooper's village, with the assistance of three or four 
hired men, drew it by hand up the river on the ice, a distance of ten 
miles, opposite the present village of Richville, where they formed 
a camp and commenced clearing. On the approach of wamn weather, 
their shanty got overflowed, and they were driven to another stand. In 
April, a small log house was built by Jonathan Haskins near the river, 
and in June following P. Rich began a clearing at the present village, and 
erected a log house covered with bark. A house afterwards built by 
Haskins, a little southeast of the present tannery, became the fii-st school 
house a few years afterwards. Joseph Kneeland was the fii'st teachei*. 
He was shot at the taking of Ogdensburgh. About 1807, the first tavern 
was kept by Solomon Pratt. About 1810, Chas. Boreland erected a grist 
mill, the second one in town, on the stream which bears his name, a 
mile and a half above Richville. He had erected a saw mill the year 
previous. 

In 1824, on the establishment of a post office, the place received the 
name of Richville, and John C. Rich was appointed post master. This 
office he held for about twenty-five years. The village at present con- 
tains two churches, three stores, a tavern, post office, tannery, grist mill, 
two saw mills, the usual variety of mechanic shops, and about thirty 
&milies. 

19 



292 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In this, as in some other towns, a large amount of poor money had ac- 
cumulated, by taxes levied ostensibly for the support of the poor, for 
which there was no use after the adoption of the poor house system. 
By an act of Feb. 22, 1830, the overseers of the poor in this town were 
directed to pay $1,000 to the trustees of the public lots, to be invested 
for the support of schools. From this source, and the sale of the school 
lot, this town has acquired a larger fund than any other in the county. 
The location of the two reserved lots was at first not known, and they 
were sold by Mr. Coopex*. This afterwards became a subject of differ- 
ence, to settle which, Simeon Dewitt, the surveyor genera], was empow- 
ered by an act passed April 3, 1811, to settle with the legal represent- 
atives of Wm. Cooper, on such terms as he might deem just and rea- 
sonable, for any diffei-ences which might have arisen between the state 
and the said Cooper, in consequence of any mistakes committed in lo- 
cating the public lots in De Kalb. In the general law relating to the gos- 
pel and school lots of these towns, De Kalb was excepted. 

Religious Societies. — The first religious organization in town, was said 
to have been the Methodist, but they did not form a legal society, until 
Feb. 25, 1839, when the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in De Kalb, was incorporated, with Seth Alexander, Dwight Spencer, 
Obadiah R. Rundell, Orin C. Spencer, Elijah Pooler, Thomas Spaffbrd 
and John D. Smith, trustees. The First Presbyterian Church and Society 
in the town of De Kalb, was incorporated Dec. 7, 1818, with Seth Pome- 
roy, Joshua Dewy, Isaac Burnham, F^lisha Griffin, Isaac Stacy, Jun., and 
Jonathan Haskins, trustees. Elisha Griffin declining to serve, Gideon 
Townsley, was on the 18th of December, of the same year, chosen in his 
place. A church had been formed August 30, 1817, through efforts of 
missionaries, sent out by a missionary society of Massachusetts. The 
Rev. James Johnson, who was in the service of that society, in 1817, made 
?n appointment to preach in the adjoining town of Russell, and at the 
urgent solicitation of Seth Pomeroy, of De Kalb, he consented to visit his 
town, which he did, and preached on a week day, and consulted with the 
inhabitants on the practicability of forming a church. He recommended 
that all who felt interested should meet and consult on the subject, on the 
next Lord's day, and notice to that effect was given. In relation to the 
prospects of forming a religious society at that time, we can not do better 
than copy from an original narrative drawn up by one of the fii-st foun- 
ders. 

" The people were in general moral, but as to Christian or praying ones, 
I did not know any, except a Baptist elder, who preached one half of the 
time, and an old man with his wife, who were Methodists. You can not 
picture to yourself a more unlikely place to form a church ; the prospect 
to me was all barren and dry, and I thought there was nothing to form a 
church with, unless it was dry trees. It was a time of anxiety and prayer 
to the Great Head of the church. The day arrived, and there came two 
eidei ly men who were many years ago, professors of religion, but who 
had wandered a great way from the fold of God. It was affecting to 
hear them give an account of themselves. Their wives were also pro- 
fessors, and one of them did indeed, pray earnestly that God would ap- 
pear and build up his cause. Just as the meeting was opened, a kind 
rrovidence sent us a minister, the Rev. M. Bunt, from Mass'ena, who 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 293 

Was of great service to us, and before the meeting broke up, it was evi- 
dent the Lord was there. TJie Rev. Mr. Johnson, came soon after, and 
the subject was pursued till we found in all, seven professors, and three 
who gave evidence of piety, — ten in all. These on the last Sabbath in 
August, 1817, were organized into a church, and the Lord's supper was 
for the first time, administered." 

A revival soon after occurred, and about seventy professed to be con- 
vei-ted, of whom forty or fifty joined the Methodist, and fifteen or twenty 
the Baptist churches. 

The Rev. Mr. Johnson, was employed about eighteen mouths, when he 
left for Vermont, and the Rev. Thomas Kenuan, was hired to preach 
three quarters of the time, for three years. The organization subsequently 
was at one time nearly lost, from death of members. 

The first religious society formed in Richville, was the United Religious 
Society, June 15, 1827 ; Orson White, Orson Shead, Josiah Walker, Henry 
C. Miller, John C. Rich and Marshall Allen, trustees. This was succeeded 
by the United Baptist and Methodist Religious Society of Richville, 
March 16, 1836, of which Nathan Barker, Harlow Godard, Johu Chase, 
James Phelps, Dauford Johnson and Russell Johnson, were trustees. 
By this society the church edifice by the cemetery in Richville, was 
built in 1837, mostly by the Baptists, and the other party not having 
assisted on the 2d of Oct., 1837, the First Baptist Society of Richville, 
was formed, having Eleazer Dewey, Jacob C Temple, Jabez BozwortK, 
John C. Rich, H. Godard, and Simeon Millen, trustees. 

The First Congregational Church and Society in DeKalb, was formed 
Dec. 1829, Stephen Thompson, Jun., Orson White and Marshall Allen, 
trustees. A church was formed in Richville, in 1827 or 8, as a branch 
from the First Presbyterian Church in DeKalb, which was in a year or two, 
changed into a Congregational one. On the JlthofFeb., 1840, the First 
Congregational Society of Richville, was formed, having Mai-shall Allen, 
Darius Wiser, Jonathan Barker, Josiah Walker, Orson White, and A. 
V. Chandler, the first trustees. The Presbyterians and Methodists, 
have each a church, on the Gouverneur and Canton plank road, and 
south of DeKalb village; the former reported in the census of 1850, 
worth $900, and' the latter $800, The Baptist and Congregational 
societies have each a chureh in the village of Richville, the tbrmer worth 
$1000, and the latter $600. The years 1826 7, were marked by religious 
revivals at the latter place. 

De Petster, 
Was erected from Oswegatchie and DeKalb, by an act which passed 
the legislature on the 24th of March, 1825, but did not take effect till the 
first of April following. The poor moneys belonging to the several 
towns, were to be equitably divided. It was first proposed to name the 
town StilweU, from Mr. Smith Stilwell, who was at the time a prominent 
citizen in town, and many of the inhabitants were very anxious that it 
should receive this name, but Mr. Stilwell declined, on the ground that 
some one among the proprietors, rnight be willing to make the town a 
liberal present, for the privilege of giving it their name. A correspond- 
ence was opened with Mr. Frederick DePeyster, of NewYork, who owned 
a portion of the part that had been in DeKalb, and resulted in the selec- 
tion of this name, for the new town. Its location rendered an organiza- 



294 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

fon necessary, for it was separated from the greater part of Oswegatchie 
• by Black lake, and the Oswegatchie river, and from the settlements of 
DeKalb, by an intervening wilderness. 

Frederick DePeyster, was an extensive shipping merchant for many 
^ears in the city of New York, and distinguished for his integrity, 
liberality and punctuality in business. At an early day he purchased of 
Judge Cooper, a part of the town of DeKalb. On the erection of a 
Union church in DeKalb he presented $300 to assist in it; and in 1840 
his son made a present of a fine bell weighing about seven hundred 
pounds, which had belonged to a Spanish convent, and which was 
forwarded to its destination free of cost. 

Memoranda from the Records. The first town meeting was held in pur- 
suance of statute, at the house of Timothy Morris, May 3, 1825. Smith 
Stilwell, elected supervisor; Timothy Morris, clerk; John Wilson, Moses 
King, Horace Plynipton, assessors; Jonathan Morris and Bela Bell, over- 
seei's of the poor. 

Voted to raise a subscription for a town house and church, and a com- 
mittee of three, consisting of Smith Stilwell, Nathan Dean, and Philo 
Hurlbert, were appointed for this purpose. A special town meeting 
was held on the last Monday of June, to decide on the subject of a town 
house, and it was i-esolved to erect one, at a cost not to exceed $1,500, 
The church in DePeyster village was erected accordingly. 

The Bethel Union Society, which owns this church, was incorporated 
Oct. 23, 1827. Bela Bell, Luke Dean, Joseph Sweet, Zenas King, 
Jonathan Curtis, Horace Plympton, and Smith Stilwell, being named 
as the first trustees. 1828, voted in favor of the High falls on Grass river, 
as a county seat. 1841, voted to have those parts of Morristown and 
Gouverneur, annexed to this town, which were afterwards formed into 
the town of Macomb. 

Supervisors — 1825-9, Smith Stilwell ; on the 7th of November, Luke 
Dean elected to fill vacancy, occasioned by the removal of Mr. Stilwell; 
1830-4, Horace Plympton; 1835-9, Johnathan Curtis; 1840, Abner 
McMurphy; 1841-3, Sylvester Johnson ; 1844, Jonathan Curtis; 1845, 
John Blaisdell; 1846-7. David Fuller; 1848, Thomas D. Witherell; 
1849-51, Levi Fay; 1852, Thomas D. Witherell. 

The first settlement in the present limits of De Peyster, was made by 
Samuel Bristol originally from Sandgate, Vt., but who had for a short 
time, lived on the St. Lawrence, four miles above Ogdensburgh, in the 
month of November, 1802. His location was on lot No. 12, on the ex- 
ireme south border of the township of Oswegatchie, and two and a half 
miles from the line of Hague. This location had been selected the sum- 
mer previous, and he had been sent thither by Judge Ford, to form a 
.stopping place for the accommodation of travelers who about this time 
were beginning to come into the country from the central and southern 
parts of the state, in considerable numbers. He had a large family. 
During the first summer, he had cleared about thirty acres, and got three 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 295 

of them sowed with wheat, and a house erected for a tavern. No other 
settlers arrived until the next winter (1803-4), when Thomas Wilson, 

from Hebron, N. Y., Joseph Round, Samuel Barnard, Green, Icha- 

bod Arnold, and Robert Hill, from Rhode Island, Frederick Plympton, 
from Sturbridge, Mass., and David Day, most or all, except the latter, 
having families, moved into town. The first school was opened at thi 
house of Samuel Bristol, in the winter of 1805-6, by Bela Willes. He 
was also the first preacher who held regular meetings (Methodist), al- 
though traveling ministers had casually happened to stop and hold 
meetings. Silas Keliog, in 1806, came in and erected a tavern some 
distance west of the corner. The first store was opened by James 
Averell 2d, near Kellog's tavern. Mr. Averell was then a young man of 
about eighteen years of age, and was established in business by his father. 

Capt.Rufus Washburn, who removed in 1806, to what is now Macomb, 
was among the first settlers of De Peyster. In 1809, Smith Stilwell, then 
from Albany, but a native of Saratoga county, came in, and purchased 
lands, but did not remove with his family until the year following. 

This town suffered its full share from the cold and backward seasons 
which form a striking epoch, from which many of the oldest settlers are 
able to date events. In 1815, but little was raised in consequence of the 
cold, and most of that little, was claimed by the birds and squirrels, 
which in that year are said to have been extremely numerous. 

In 1816, many families were obliged to live without bread, as flour 
was very expensive, and difficult to be bought at any price. During this 
year, the first barley in town (about two acres), was raised by Mr. Stil- 
well. While it was still growing, it was watched by the neighbors with 
great interest, and they would stand by the fence which enclosed it, and 
count the number of days tliat would elapse before it would be suitable 
to cut, with an anxiety which proved how much their hopes depended 
upon that little field for food. It was scarcely ripe, when with the own- 
er's permission, it was reaped, dried, threshed, and ground in small 
quantities, by his neighbors. Oats and potatoes sold for $1 per bushel, 
and wheat at from $2 to $3 a bushel. 

This settlement long bore the name of Bristol's settlement, from the 
first settler. 

The story of Putnam and the wolf, has been often quoted as an in- 
stance of the display of courage, which has elicited the admiration and 
excited th*; interest of every class of readers, but an occurrence which 
happened in this town, about the year 1821, may be regarded as perhaps 
equally worthy of our attention, although its hero never wore epaulettes, 
or shone in public life as a pi-orainent character. 



296 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

A son of one of the pioneer settlers, who on sundry occasions had 
evinced that acuteness which led to his being called by his father, "his 
ingenious," was distinguished for nothing so much as for personal cour- 
age, and a disregard for consequences, in the attainment of his objects. 
This lad, being at the time of the incident about to be related, but seven- 
teen years of age, was out with a dog and gun hunting, late in the fall of 
the year. A light snow being on the ground, he discovered the tracks 
of an unknown animal, which he traced some distance, to a place where 
they entered a cave. Determined not to be hindered from the attainment 
of bis object, and finding the opening of convenient size for entering, he 
crept in some distance, with gun in hand, keeping his dog behind him, 
until having reached a part of the cave where it was quite dark, he dis- 
covered at no great distance from him, two globes, of fire like brilliancy, 
which gleamed in the dim obscurity full upon him. He here paused, 
and bringing his gun to bear upon a point directly between them, he 
deliberately fired. His dog upon this, rushed past him to attack what- 
ever the enemy might be, while he retreated, and was soon followed by 
his dog. Hearing no noise, or signs of life within, he, after a short delay, 
again ventured into the den, and listened for some time, but heard no 
noise, and at length ventured up nearer, and groping in the dark, he laid 
his hand upon the paw of an animal, evidently dead, which he with 
much difiiculty dragged out, and found to be a panther, of large size, 
which on being measured, was found nine feet four inches in length. The 
ball had entered a vital part of the brain, and proved instantly fatal. 

The truth of tiie above narrative is vouched for by a very respectable 
authority, and it may be received as reliable. 

Deer were at an early day, quite numerous here, and still occur in the 
forest which extends through portions of this town, and the adjoining 
sections of Macomb, Gouverneur and De Kalb. It is said that on one 
occasion, five were shot by a hunter within a brief interval, without re- 
moving from the place in which he stood. 

Many of the inhabitants of De Peyster and vicinity, having been much 
annoyed by wolves, in the fall of 1836, a public meeting was called on 
the 17th of December, of that year, and a committee of about forty ap- 
pointed to make arrangements for a general wolf hunt, on an appointed 
day, and advertised in the county papers, inviting citizens generally to 
attend and participate in the enterprise. 

Religious societies. — Besides the one above mentioned, two others have 
been incorporated. The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in De Peyster, Oct. 23, 1827, Bela Bell, Luke Dean and Joshua 
Sweet, trustees; and the First Congregational Society of De Peyster, 
July 29, 1850, John Humphrey, Joseph McCoy, and Chester Dyke, 
trustees. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 297 



Edwards 



Was organized from Fowler, April 27, 1827, and at first comprised 
townships, Nos. 8 and 4, or Edwards and Fitz William, now Hermon. 
The first town meeting was held at the house of Wm. Martin. The 
township of Fitz William, was taken ofi"in erecting Depeau, and by an 
act of the board of supervisors, passed November 17, 1852, all that part 
of the town of Hermon, situate at the north east corner, known as the 
south end of the east third of township number 4, of great tract number 
3 of Macomb's purchase, being subdivision lots, numbered 32 to 37, 
according to Ashman's old survey, was annexed to the town of Edvvards. 
This act took effect on the first of February, following, and gave the town 
of Edwards its present limits. 

First Toion Officers, 1827. — Orra Shead, supervisor; John C. Haile, 
clerk; J. C. Haile, Asa Brayton, Jr., Wm. Teall, assessors; Roswell Lillie, 
Arba Collisier, Peleg Haile, commissioners of highivays; J. C Haile, Asa 
Phelps, Wilkes Richardson, commissioners of schools ; Warren Streeter, 
Guy Earl, overseers of poor ; J. C. Haile, George Allen, Wm. Teall, in- 
spectors of schools. 

Supervisors.— 1827-8, Orra Shead; 1829, Wm. Teall; 1830-3, Orra 
Shead; 1834-35, Hubbard Goodrich ; 1836-40, John C. Haile ; 1841-2, J. 
B. Pickit; 1843-5, Ingraham Winslow; 1846-7, James Noble; 1848, I. 
Winslow; 1849, Elijah Shaw; 1850, J. B. Pickit; 1851, Elijah Shaw; 
1852, Horace Barnes. 

This town derives its name from Edward McCormick, a brother of 
Daniel McCormick, the patentee of tracts 1 and 2. of the great purchase. 
He was a sea captain, in the East India trade, and was for many years, 
engaged in voyages between New York and various ports in the Indies. 

Edwards was surveyed in the summer of 1806, fay Reuben Ashman of 
Russell, and subsequently settled by agents of Joseph Pitcairn and A. O^ 
Brodie. Mr. Pitcairn received his title from McCormick, and in his will 
dated May, 9, 1837, made Mr. Brodie his executor and heir. The town 
of Pitcairn has the same ownership and title. 

In January, 1812, Asa Brayton and family, made the first location in 
this town, on the line of the St. Lawrence turnpike. This road had been 
commenced in 1810, and was built in this and the two following years, 
and from this improvement, the first settlement of several of the towns 
in the county date. The portion thi-ough Edwards, was built by Enos 
Chapin, contractor, Joseph M. Bonner, John Britton, Samuel and Elijah 
Jones, and several families by the name of Johnson, settled in 1812-13. 
In 1814, Orra Shead, from Russell, built a grist mill. 

The first death in town, was that of Partridge, who was killed by 

an accidentata raising, in 1813. The first birth in town, was that of John 
B. Brayton, a son of Asa Brayton, in the fall of 1812. In 1817, the set- 



298 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tlement was considerably increased by several Scotch emigrants, among 
whom were Robert Watson, Robert Brown, Alexander Noble, William 
Cleveland, Alexander Laidlaw, Alexander Kerr and James Grieve. In 
1819, George Allen arrived as an agent for Mr. Pitcairn, having been pre- 
ceded in this office by Phineas Attwater. 

Near the south boi-der of the town, is a settlement known as South Ed- 
wards. The earliest settlement here was made by Job Winslow, in the 
fall of 1824, wlio at that time, came in from Potsdam, and erected a saw 
mill. He bad visited the place the year previous, and purchased a farm 
around the falls, where he afterwards built. In 1825, he erected a grist 
mill. In March 1825, Elijah Shaw settled in the vicinity, and became 
the first merchant. From him, the settlement is sometimes named 
ShmvviUe. The village is situated on the west branch of the Oswegatchie, * 
and at present contains a new and very fine gi-ist mill, a saw mill, tannery, 
carding and cloth dressing works, store, and a few mechanic shops. It 
is on the mail route from Edwards to Lowville. On the Oswegatchie 
river, below Edwards village, in 1830, was erected a furnace, 24 feet 
square, 28 feet high, 6h feet inside diameter, by A. Freeman. It was run 
about six blasts, and was burned in 1847. At first it used the cold blast, 
but from 1840 the hot blast was employed. A part of the ii-on was made 
into castings on the premises, and the ores used were bog ore from this 
town, and specular ore from the Kearney and Little York mines. In 
1842 or 3, a forge was built, and run two or three yeai-s. 

Religious Societies. — The Methodists first organized with but four mem- 
bers, and held the first religious meetings in town. In 1827, the Chris- 
tian denomination effected an organization in South Edwards, under 
Elder Isaac Banister, and he remained its pastor till his death, January 
15, 1852. This society has always been small, and the present number 
is about 25. The First Congregational Church and Society in Edwards, 
was formed May 10, 1828. Calvin Phelps, Robert Watson, John White- 
head, Levi W. Gleason, Arba Collister, Orra Shead and Robert Brown, 
being the ti-ustees. A union church was built in the village, by the Pres- 
byterians, Baptists and Methodists, at a cost of $1000, in 1850. 

Fine 

Was erected March 27, 1844, from Russell and Pierrepont, and made 
to embrace No. 14, or Bloomfield, No. 12, or Scriba, and the south half 
of No. 9, or Sarahsburgh, in the former town, and No. 15, or Emilyville, 
in the latter. The funds belonging to the respective towns, were to be 
equitably divided, and the first town meeting to be held at school house 
No. 20. It received its name from the Hon. John Fine, of Ogdensburgh, 
who is interested in an extensive tract in the town, and under whom the 
first settlement was begun. The supervisors have been, 1844-5, Amasa 
I. Brown ; 1846-50, Daniel Truax; 1851, A. L Brown ; 1852, D. Truax. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 299 

This town is one of the newest and least settled in the county of St. 
LaM'rence. The principal settlement is in the east half of Scriba, which 
is owned by the Hon. John Fine, and James Averell, of Ogdensburgh, 
Wra. H. Averell, of Otsego Co., and Frederick De Peyster, of New York 
city. The first settlement was commenced by Elias Teall, who on the 
24th of October, 1823, made a contract with the proprietors of the east 
half of the township of Scriba, and undertook to establish settlers on the 
tract. He built a mill on a branch of the Oswegatchie, erected a log 
house, made some improvements, and got some inhabitants to come on, 
but did not succeed in his undertaking. On the 6th of September, 1828, 
James C. Haile, made a contract with the proprietors, and erected a saw 
mill on the Oswegatchie, and a small grist mil!, of one run of rock stones, 
without bolt or other appendages; built a house and barn, and got in 
more settlers. In May, 1833, he also left the settlement, having been 
abandoned by his settlers. 

In February, 1834, Amasa I. Brown, made a contract with the owners, 
for the Haile improvements, with an additional tract of land, and on the 
28th of March, of that year, he moved his family into the town, having no 
neighbors nearer than ten miles distant. In a few weeks he was followed 
by one G. Luther, who had previously attempted a settlement, and in the 
autumn of the same year, two more joined them, making four families 
who wintered in town the first season. About twenty persons took up 
land that fall, although but thi-ee or four ever came on to settle. At this 
time the owners of the west half of No. 12, and of No. 9 and 14, were 
intending to take measures to commence the settlements of their lands, 
but the rage of speculation then tended to the west, and their proposed 
measures were not carried into effect. This left the settlers in the east- 
ern part of the town, exposed to much hardship, for the unsettled pai-ts 
lay between them and their neighbors, in South Edwards and Pitcairn, 
and no roads existed through the forest but such as they made themselves. 
This inconvenience, joined with a series of unpropitious seasons, tended 
to keep back the settlement, and impoverish its inhabitants, so that num- 
bers left, and there now remains of that first immigration, but two or three 
families. Others, however, came in to take the places of those that got 
discouraged and left, and in 1843, there were 43 or 44 voters, besides 5 or 
6 aliens. In 1843 they petitioned for an incorporation as a town, but 
failed, but the next year they succeeded. The first town meeting was 
held June 18, 1844, at which the following town ofiicers, were elected: 

A. I Brown, supervisor; Joseph M. Beckwith, toivn clerk; ,t. M. 
Beckwith, James Marsh and Elijah C. Hill, assessors; John K. Ward, 
collector; John Marsh, George Young and William H. Perkins, com- 
missioners of highways; A. I. Brown, I. M. Beckwith and Elijah C. Hill, 
justices of the peace. 



300 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

From this tiirie forward, the settlement has slowly but steadily im- 
proved, and they have a tolerably good road through to South Edwards, 
on each side of the Oswegatchie. They have a road now in contempla- 
tion, from the western part of the settlement, to run a southwesterly 
course, and communicate with the navigation on Black river. It has 
been laid to the county line, by the road commissioners, and some im- 
provements made towards opening it. 

On the 15th of April, 1814, a law was passed to construct a road 
fi'om Turin to Emilyville, to intersect the Albany road, and commission- 
ers appointed with power to tax adjacent lands; and in 1816, a further 
appropriation was made, but this route was never opened. 

The legislature, at its session of 1852, passed an act providing for 
opening a road from the old St. Lawrence turnpike, in the town of 
Pierrepont, to intersect the Carthage and lake Champlain road. This 
route lias already been laid from Pierrepont to the old Watson road, in 
Herkimer county, and would have been continued through, had the 
line between Herkimer and Lewis counties been known. This line 
passes on or near the east bounds of townships Nos. 9, 12 and 14, and 
through the eastern settlements in Fine. When these roads are opened, 
and the proposed state improvements, in pi'ogress of construction, are 
completed, the inhabitants in this secluded portion of the county will 
enjoy good advantages for markets. Many of the inhabitants, from 
narrow and short sighted views, are said to be opposed to both of these 
roads, but when completed, they can not fail to greatly promote the 
prosperity of the town. The soil of the town of Fine is generally a 
gravelly loam, with much of its surface broken; but most, susceptible of 
cultivation. The timber is much of it beech and maple, with birch, 
spruce and hemlock, interspersed with elm, ash and cherry. The country 
is well watered, and from its elevated situation, it is not subject to local 
causes of disease, and is remarkably healthy. The Oswegatchie here 
affords an abundance of water power, and iron ore is said to abound, so 
that this town possesses within itself resources that will eventually place 
it on an ecpiality with most of adjoining and older settled districts. There 
is a saw mill five miles from South Edwards, and another in the east 
part of the settlement. A grist mill is contemplated another season, 
which will answer the purposes of the settlers. 

The author is indebted to Mr. Amasa L Brown, for assistance in pre- 
paring the above notice. 

Fowler 
Was formed from Rossie and Russell, embracing Kilkenny (No. 7), 
and Portaferry (No. 11), April 15, 1816, the first town meeting to be 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 801 

held at the house of Noah Holcomb. The pooi* moneys of the respect- 
ive towns were to be equitably divided. At the time of its erection, No. 
7 constituted school district No. 3, of Rossie. On the 10th of April, 
1818, the townships of Edwards and Fitz William, previously in Russell, 
were attached to Fowler. These have since been taken off in the erec- 
tion of Edwards. In forming Pitcairn, in 1836, a triangular portion ot 
No. 11, lying west of a line commencing three miles S. E. of the W. 
point of said township, and running at right angles to the S. W. line till 
it intersected the line of No. 7 was retained by Fowler, and these limits 
it has since maintained. 

On the division of the Great tract, No. 7 fell to Gilchrist and Fowler. 
On the 3d of August, 1810, the foi-mer conveyed his share to the latter 
[Cleric's office, b. Hi, p. 129), and Theodosius Fowler, on the 15th of May, 
1821, conveyed to his son, T. O, Fowler (lb., b. vi, p. 75), under whom 
the most of the town has been settled. 

The town received its name from Theodosius Fowler, of New York, 
who was a captain in the continental army of the revolution. He re- 
ceived his commission as ensign in February or March, 1776, and was 
promoted to a second lieutenant on the 10th of August, to be first lieu- 
tenant after November 21. In June, 1778, he was raised to the rank ot 
captain at first in the 1st N. Y. regiment, but in 1780, he was transferred 
to the 2d regiment, in which he served till the close of the war; not 
being absent in all fifty days, either in winter or summer. He was pre- 
sent and took a part in the battles of Long Island, Saratoga, Monmouth 
and White Plains, and shared the hardships of the camp at Valley 
Forge and Morristown, and the expeditions against the Indians of west- 
ern New York, under Colonels Van Schaick and Willet, in 1779, and of 
General Sullivan, in the summer of the same year. During the year 
1780, the New York line of five regiments was reduced to two, com- 
manded by Colonel Van Schaick and General Van Cortland, to the latter 
of which Captain Fowler was assigned. In the fall of 1781, these were 
ordered to Virginia, and aided in the capture of the British at Yorktown. 

We have been under the necessity of condensing the above, from a 
minute and extended account, written by Mr. Fowler himself, which we 
had prepared for this work, and was loaned the author by the Hon. E. 
Dodge, of Gouverneur. 

First Set of Town Officers. — Theodosius O. Fowler, supervisor; Sim- 
eon Hazleton, clerk; Noah Holcomb, Elvan Cole, Benjamin Brown, 
assessors; John Parker, Noah Holcomb, conCrs of highways; Noah 
Holcomb, Benj. Brown, overseers of the poor ; Simeon Hazleton, Samuel 
B. Sprague, overseers of highways; Alvan Wright, constable and col- 



302 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

lector; Alvan Wright, Simon Ilazleton, 'E\am Co]e, comers com. schools ; 
Tlieoclosius O. Fowlei-, Jedediah Kingsley, Richard Merrill, inspectors 
of common schools. 

Supervisors. — 1817. Theodosius O. Fowler; 1818, (Feb. 19,) Benjamin 
Brown to fill vacancy, 1815, 21, Eben Cole; 1825-9, .Justus Pickit; 1830, 
Sfillman Fuller, 1831-2, J. Picket; 1833-4, S. Fuller; 1835-6, William 
Hiulbut; 1637-8, .7. Pickit; 1839-41, Henry H. Haile; 1842-3, Asa L. Ha- 
zleton; 1844-5, Alfred Burt; 1846-7. Heman Fuller, 1848-9; Addison 
Giles; 1850-1, Thomas T. Hazleton. 1852, E. W. Abbott. 

In 1824, the town agreed to raise a bounty for wolves and wild cats 
agreeably to the late law. This is the only record of any votes having 
been taken by the town, for the destruction of noxious animals. 

The first settlement in the town of Fowler, was made by Brigadier 
General James Haile, from Fairfield, Herkimer Co., who came into town 
to explore, and who purchased of Richard Townsend, agent for Gil- 
christ and Fowler, in the month of June, 1807, a tract one mile square, 
on the ground where the little village of Hailesboro now stands, under 
obligations to build mills within a year. In the fall of the same year, 
he came on with several men, to commence the erection of mills. One 
Capt. Ward, was millwright, and a Capt. Robinson, carpenter. A saw 
mill was built the same fall, and a small grist mill, with one run of 
stones attached to it, was also got into operation in 1808. The latter 
was swept away by a freshet in 1809, and rebuilt the following year. 
Timothy Campbell, was the millwright employed to build the second 
mill, which contained but one run of stones till 1819, when another was 
added. In 1844, the present mill was erected in a most superior man- 
ner, containing three run of stones, to which a fourth is about to be 
added: Mr. Elijah Sackett, fi-om Hartford, N. Y., came into town in 
1808, and was employed as a miller, until his death, in the spring of 
1812. He was the first white person who is known to have died in 

town. Lemuel Arnold, John Ryan, • Cleveland, Ebenezer Parkei*, 

and others, came on and settled soon after, and in 1811, Samuel B. 
Sprague, made the first stand in the neighborhood of Little York. 
Albin & Oliver Wright, were early settlers. 

During the war sevei*al families left the country from fear of Indians, 
nor did the town begin to settle rapidly until 1820. Early in 1818, Gen. 
Haile moved into town with his family, having only come on himself, in 
the summer time previously. He i-esided here till his death, Dec. 17 
1821. 

In 1825, a mill was erected at Hailesboro, by Jasper Clark, for sawing 
the white limestone, which abounds in the vicinity. The business was 
carried on by him, and continued by A. Giles, for several years. It was 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 303 

used foi- tomb stones, building stones, sills and caps for windows, and for 
jambs of fire places. The coarsely crystalized structure of this stone, has 
been found to render it unsuitable for lettering and the finer kind of orna- 
mental work, but for the heavier uses of building, and especially for the 
manufacture of lime, it has no equal. The natural water privileges of 
Hailesboi'o, are superior. Within a distance of half a mile, the Oswe- 
gatchie river descends 84 feet, and within a mile above it has an equal 
descent, so that the same water could be used repeatedly, and such is 
the nature of the channel, at the island, in the village, that the sujjply 
can be regulated, and every liability to injury from floods avoided. In 
the lowest stages of the water, it is estimated that sufiicient water flows 
in the river at this place, to drive eight run of mill stones. During a 
part of the year, the supply is much greater. A small mill with two 
saws, has recently been built about a mile above, and at the village a 
grist mill, saw mill, clothing works, wagon shop, &c., are erected. It 
has a tavern, store, the usual variety of mechanic shops, and about 
twenty families. 

The first marriage in the town of Fowler, was Mr. John Parker, to 
Miss Elizabeth S. Sackett, in 1812. The first birth was in the family of 

Merrills. A «mall settlement began to be formed at the present 

village of Little York during the war, which received its name from 
the circumstance of the capture of Toronto (which then bore this name), 
at about the same time. The neighborhood is without the advantages 
which a water power confers, and is but a centre for the local business 
of a portion of the town. The village of Fullerville Iron Works, is situ- 
ated on the Oswegatchie, three mills from Little York, and nine from 
Gouverneur. 

The earliest settlement in this vicinity was made by John Parker, 
about three quarters of a mile below that place, Avhere the St. Lawrence 
turnpike originally crossed the Oswegatchie in the year 1812. In 1813 he 
erected a saw mill at the falls in the present village of Fullerville, which 
being burned, was rebuilt in 1823-4. In 1826, a grist mill was erected by S. 
Fuller & Co, and sold in 1838, to Rockwell Bullard and company, who 
rebuilt the mills, which are the same that still remain. 

In 1832, Sheldon Fuller, Stillman Fuller, Heman Fuller and Ashbell 
Fuller, brothers, originally from Ferrisburgh, Vt., but for eight years 
previous eugaged at the Rossie iron works, came here, and commenced 
the erection of a blast furnace; and after them the place received its 
name. A furnace, erected by the firm of S. Fuller & Co., was about 30 feet 
square, on the ground, and 40 feet liigii, and was first got in operation in 
August, 1833. Their first operations were commenced on the ore from 
the vicinity of Little York, of which\ they used about 1,000 tons, and 



304 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

this was the first ore raised from that mine. Subsequently several 
tliousand tons of bog ore, obtained from swatnps in the Fine tract, from 
two to three miles distant, in the town of Edwards, were used. During 
the first years of their operations, a great number of experiments were 
made, upon ores from numerous localities, the greater part of which 
failed in producing useful results. The presence of sulphur and various 
impurities, rendered many kinds of the ores tried entirely valueless for 
the manufacture of iron. Besides the ores above mentioned, those from 
the Kearney mine, in Gouveneur, the Keene or Thompson mine, in 
Antwerp (both red specular ores), and the magnetic or primitive ores of 
Pitcairn and Clifton, have been used at this furnace. The pig iron made 
here, has principally been sold to cupola furnaces, in St. Lawrence and 
Jefferson counties ; and from its softness, is much prized for castings, 
as it will admit of the mixture of old iron, and that which from repeated 
melting has become hard. 

The amount made at this furnace, as near as can be ascertained, is as 
follows : 

By S. Fuller & Co., about 600 tons, at two blasts. 

By Fullers & Maddock, " 1,700 " " " 

By H. Fuller & Co., " 1,200 « at four blasts. 

By Fullers & Peck, " 3,000 " at five blasts. 



Total number, 6,500 " 

The furnace was rebuilt by the latter company, in 1846, and a hot 
blast subsequently used. Previous to this, the furnace was supplied by 
the cold blast. About 133 bushels of coal have been required to make 
a ton of iron, by the cold blast ; and 125 by the hot blast. Iron made 
by the latter process will not chill ; but it is here thought to make more 
iron from a given quantity of ore, and the process of separation is much 
accelerated. At Fullerville are two forges for making malleable iron 
from ore, scrap and pig iron. The first, adjoining the furnace, was 
erected in 1835, by the Fullers, contains three fires, and is capable of 
making 1,200 pounds per day. Previous to 1846, it was worked about 
two-thirds of the time, and since, about three months in a year. In 
1840, Edwin Rockwell, Luther Bullard, Chester H. Benfon and Oliver 
Benton, under the firm of Rockwell Bullard & Co., erected a forge on 
the east bank of the river, which contained two fires, and was run very 
Bteadily for two or three years, and since that time by different parties 
more or less every year, til! within one or two years. It is thought that 
magnetic ore makes the best bar iron, although that fi*om the specular or 
red ores is soft, tough and suited to every purpose for which this useful 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 305 

metal is applied. It lias much local celebrity, and all the bar iron made 
at this place has been consumed within thirty miles of these forges.* 

As no rolling mills have been erected, the iron is drawn out under a 
trip hammer. Coal for supplying the furnace and forges is obtained 
from within 1 to 5 miles, and the distances to several neighboring mines 
are as follows : to Kearney's and to Thompson's, 11 miles ; to Tait's, in 
Hermon, 20 miles ; to Pitcairn (Jayville), 15 miles; to Clifton mine, 21 
miles; to Little York, 3 miles; to bog ore swamps, 2 to 3 miles. 

The Fowler Library was incorporated April 12, 1831. Simeon Hazel- 
ton, Justus Pickit, George Draper, Charles C. Edgerton, Gaylord Gi-aves, 
Theodosius O. Fowler, Reuben Wright, ti'ustees. 

Religious Societies. — The Baptist church of Fowler was organized 
February 9, 1822, and at the time of its formation, embraced 13 members, 
all of whom united by letter. This number was soon after increased, 
by baptism, until it amounted to forty, of whom twenty-one at present 
belong to the church. The first clergyman employed, was Elder Jona- 
than Paine. In December, 1822, Elder Noah Barrell was employed to 
preach a quarter of the time for one year. Elder William Gorrey 
commenced preaching in May, 1828, and remained until the close of 
May, 1831. The Rev. Mr. Gurnsey soon after was employed, end con- 
tinued a year, when his place was supplied by Elder Wilkey (June, 
1833). Elder Brand was afterwards invited to preach (May, J 836), and 
remained two years. Elder John Peck was invited to preach September 
6, 1838, and left in November, 1840. Elder David Deuland was em- 
ployed in March, 1843, and remained for one year. He was subsequently 
again invited to preach for one year. In September, 1851, Elder Nicola 
was employed to preach a part of the time. A church edifice was erected 
in the village of FuUervilie, in 1835. 

The foregoing data were furnished by Mr. Kentfield, the present 
clerk. 

The Antwerp and Fowler Baptist society was incorporated December 
31, 1825, James N. Graves, Peter Sigourney and Moses Burge, trustees. 
The church edifice of this society is in Jefferson county, near the line, 
and at Steele's corners. A Free Will Baptist church has existed for many 
years in the west part of the town. They have recently erected a church 
edifice. 

A Presbyterian church and society was formed at FuUei-ville, about 
1833, consisting of ten or fifteen members, and a church was erected. 
Most of the members having moved away, the organization has been 
lost for several years. The Rev Mr. Batchelor, fi'om Hermon, officiated 
here as clergyman for a time. 

The Little York Universalist society was formed March 22, 1841, 
Jabez Glazier> Lenian Fuller, Simeon Hazleton, Albert A. Vedder and 
John P. Ryon being the first trustees. They own a church which, in 
the census of 1850, is reported worth $1,000. 

* The experience of those who have dealt in this vicinity, might possibly establish the fact, 
that bar iron has, to some degree, served as a currency, or circulating medium, lo facilitate 
trade. The advocates of hard money mijht here find arguments, both pro and con, in refer, 
ence to this great national question. 



306 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

GOUVERNEUR, 

Was formed from Oswegatchie, April 5, 1810, and embraced the town- 
ship oC Cainbray, until the recent division in erecting Blaconib. It at 
this time contained 223 inhabitants, of which 30 were senatorial voters. 
An effort was made in 1841 to form a new town out of parts of this, De 
Kalb and Hermou, but failed. The first town meeting was held at the 
house of Jolm Spencer, at which the following officers were elected: 

Richard Townsend, supervisor; Amos Comly, town clerk; Rufus 
Washburn, Isaac Morgan, Pardon Babcock, assesors; Amos Comly, 
Benj. Smith, Ephriarn Case, commissioners highways; Jonathan S. Col- 
ton, Israel Porter, overseers of poor; Barnabas Wood, constable and 
collector; Jonathan S. Colton, Isaac Morgan^ yeTice viewers; Israel Por- 
ter, pound master. 

Supervisors. — 1811-4, Richard Townsend; 1815-9, John Brown; 
1830-1, Israel Porter; 1822-6, Aaron Atwood ; 1827-35, Harvey D. Smith ; 
1836, Almond Z. Madison ; 1837, Harvey D. Smith; 1838, Almond Z. 
Madison; 1839-41, William E. Sterling; 1842, Peter Van Buren; 1843, 
Wm. E. Sterling; 1844-5, Peter Van Buren; 1846-9, Geo. S. Wiuslow; 
1850-2, Charles Anthony. 

Memoranda from the Records. — March 5, 1811, voted that Ephraim Case, 
Rufus Washburn, Pardon Babcock, Jonathan S. Colton and Benjamin 
Smith, be appointed a committee to superintend the destruction of nox- 
ious weeds, and any person who may discover any of these shall give 
notice to one of the above committee, on whose farm such weeds are 
growing; and it shall then be the duty of the committee man to go and 
give such person warning that such weeds are growing on his farm, and 
the place where they grow, and if such pei-son do not cut such weeds in 
the month ot June, so as to prevent their going to seed (provided such 
warning be given previous), shall forfeit and pay to said committee five 
dollars, the one half to go to the informant, and the other half to be paid 
into the hands of the overseers of the poor in this town for the support 
of the poor, and that this committee shall be allowed at and after the 
rate of $1 per day for their services in giving notice of the growth of 
such weeds, 1814, Voted that the block house be sold at vendue, and 
the avails applied to build a house of public worship. 1824, Nov. 25, 
Special town meeting to vote on receiving part of Rossie to this town. 
Resolved not to receive petition. 1828. " Since it is understood that cer- 
tain persons in Potsdam, will give $3000 for public buildings, and since 
we are convinced that at no distant day the county will be divided; there- 
fore. Resolved, On condition of $3000 granted as above, that we recom- 
mend the location of the county building at that place. 1829. The sale 
of the gospel and school lots for school fund advised. 1835. Voted to 
remove the burying ground in the village. Rescinded in 1838. 1839. 
Trustees of academy requested to petition the legislature for an appro- 
priation of $2000 to be i-efunded by a tax within 4 years, to rebuild the 
academic building destroyed by fire Jan. 1, 1839. A very full town ineet- 
ing voted for this, but five or six dissenting. 1839. Resolved that the 
county poor house system ought not to be abolished. 1841. Protest 
against any division of the town at present. The only division practi- 
cable is Beaver Creek, and the creation of a new town between that 
creek and Black lake. 1841, Aug. 18. The fund derived from the sale 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 307 

of the gospel and school lot divided between Macomb and Gonvenieur, 
as follows: to Macomb $281-38, to Gonvenieur |2,082-37. 1842. Vote 
against the erection of a new town from parts of Gonverneur. De Kalb and 
Hermon. 1843. The town petitioned tor the abolition of the office of 
deputy superintendent of schools. 1844. Resolves against the division of 
the town again passed, and in favor of the formation of a new county 
from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence. 1845. A committee of five to 
report on the expediency of erecting a town house. May 6, a special 
town meeting convened to hear the report of the committee which was 
in favor of the measure. [This plan failed from efforts made to secure 
its location west of the river.] 1846. A town map to be procured for 
the town and a copy to be deposited in the county clerk's office. In 1847 
resolved to keep both copies. 1850. Resolved to sustain the resolution of 
the board of supervisors restoring the distinction between town and 
county poor, ffolf bounties were offered in 1819, 1820 and 1821, of $5, 
and in 1840 of $10, with half these sums for wolf's whelps. Fox boun- 
ties of 50 cents in 1820-1. In 1822, 25 cents penalty for every goose 
running in the highways. 

Gouverneur and Morristown were named from Gonverneur Morris, an 
early and extensive proprietor in the lands of Noi-thern New York. He 
was born at Morrisania, Westchester co., Jan. 31, 1752, and educated at 
Columbia college. At an early age he engaged in the political discussions 
of the day, and became a member of the provincial congress, and a dele- 
gate to the convention that framed the first constitution of the state. A 
few years after the war, he repaired to France on commercial business, 
and remained in Europe several years; during a portion of which time 
he held the office of minister from the United States to the French court. 
During his residence there he was a witness to the excesses of the Fi'ench 
revolution, and incurred much personal danger in the discharge of the 
duties of his office. In 1798 he returnedhome with a justly acquired ce- 
lebrity as a statesman, and with enlarged and liberal views acquired from 
extensive travel and careful observation upon European affairs, and was 
soon afterwards elected to fill a vacancy in the United States senate. 
On the death of Washington he delivered an oration in New York, at 
the request of the corporation, and it fell to his lot to perform the same 
duty to the memory of Hamilton and the elder Chnton. Mr. Morris died 
Nov. 6, 1816. An injury which he sustained by a fall from a carnage in 
1780, deprived him of a leg, which was supplied by one of wood. 

His life and writings by Jared Sparks form three octavo volumes, and 
to these the reader is referred for a minute account of this celebrated 
man. 

In the summer of 1805, Dr. Richard Townsend, of Hartford, Wash- 

inton CO., having procured of Gouverneur Morris of New York, an 

agency for the sale and settling of his lands in Cambray, started with 

several men, his neighbors, to visit the tract, and make arrangements for 

20 



808 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

beginning a settlement. The party consisted of Richard Townsend, 
Isaac Austin, Willard Smith, Pardon Babcock, Ambi Higby, John Alden 
and Morris Mead, the latter a surveyor. They proceeded to the head of 
Lake George, and thence with map and compass, and with three days pro- 
visions, they struck into the woods on a course which they supposed would 
bring them to their destination. Several incidents of interest happened 
to the pioneers on their journey. On one occasion having caught some 
fish in the morning, their dogs (two fine mastiffs), by their barking and 
manner, indicated that they were followed by some wild animal. On the 
approach of night, they built a row of fires, within which they camped, 
having placed their fish in the branches of a tree much elevated above 
the ground. In the morning, these were gone, and the tracks around the 
roots indicated that they had been followed by one or more large 
panthers. 

They were seven days on the route, suflTering towards the last from 
want of provisions, and first came into clearings in the Smith settlement 
in De Kalb. The sound of a bell attached to an ox, first indicated their 
approach to clearings, and by following this they were led into the set- 
tlement, where several men were chopping. One of the party hailed 
the owners of the cattle with a complaint that they had broken into and . 
injured his cornfield, for which he demanded compensation. 

The surprise of the settlers was unbounded, upon seeing a company 
of men emerge from the depths of the forest, and they could scarcely 
credit the story that they had traversed the wilderness from Lake George, 
with no guide but their compass, and an outfit of only thi-ee days pro- 
visions. The party thence proceeded on to Gouverneur, arriving just be- 
low the present village, and after a short stop most of them proceeded 
down, and crossing near the present Kearney bridge, returned by way of 
the Black river country to their homes, having been absent about three 
weeks. Townsend, Austin, Smith, and others, visited the town again 
late in the fall, proceeding on horseback by the Black i-iver road as far 
as Boon's upper settlement, where they were obliged to leave their horses 
from the badness of the roads. Arriving by the route of the state road 
to Lee's tavern, three miles north of Antwerp, they proceeded thence to 
their destination on the Oswegatchie, where its placid course was broken 
by a small cascade, and its channel divided by two beautiful green islands, 
in the present village of Gouverneur. Here they constructed a float of 
logs, and crossed, arriving at their destination about the middle of Octo- 
ber. A surveyor (Col. Edsall, of Madrid), was procured, and several 
farms surveyed, and slight beginnings made, when the party returned 
home by the route they came. In February 1806, Pardon Babcock, Wil- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 309 

lard Smith, Eleazer Nichols, and Isaac Austin, with their families, Ibe 
wife of the latter being borne an invalid, in a cradle, the whole journey 
arrived at Antwerp, on their way to Cambray, with the view of making 
a permanent settlement. Here their families were left a few days, while 
the men went forward to erect a shanty and provide accommodations. 
One Jershom Matoon, was keeping an inn at Antwerp at this time, and 
his was the only house in the place. It was a very humble log cabin, 
with but one room, which served every purpose of bar room, bed room, 
parlor, kitchen, and dining room, was without a chimney, and destitute 
of every accommodation properly so called. 

A slight shelter having been erected, these four families proceeded to 
take possession, and crossing on the ice near the site of the Kearney 
bridge, they arrived at their home, which was found to be an open shed 
covered with boughs. This stood in the present road in front of Elwin 
E. Austin's present dwelling house. On the next day, a flat roofed log 
shanty, open on one side, and covered witJi wooden troughs, after the 
manner still occasionally seen in sugar camps, was erected; and soon 
after another, facing the first, but Avith a space between of a few feet, 
which served the purpose of a door, as well as a chimney; and at each 
side, a pile of logs was laid at night, and set on fire, for the triple pui-- 
pose of light, warmth, and a defence against wild beasts. 

This cabin furnished a common shelter for several weeks, until the 
several families had provided for themselves separate huts. Isaac Mor- 
gan, from Orange co., Vt., arrived on the last of March, and the number 
was soon after increased, and Dr. Townsend, during the summer, em- 
ployed one John Simons, of Brownville, to survey into farms the lands 
around the present village. In July 1806, the first religious meeting 
was held in town, at the shanty of Esq. Austin, by Eldgrs Nichols, and 
Pettengill, two missionaries from Connecticut. A Mr. Heath, a metbod- 
ist preacher, living in Riclf s settlement in De Kalb, preached occasion 
ally on sabbaths, the settlers always keeping up some form of divine 
service on Sunday, at the hut of Mr. Austin, until a school house was 
erected, when the meetings were held at that place. 

A road was cut through to Richville, on the first summer, by voluntary 
labor, and communications were soon opened with Antwerp. The first 
birth in town, among the settlers, was a son (Allen Smith), in the family 
of Willard Smith, May 8, 1806. The first death was Emily Porter, aged 
two years, in Aug. 1808. The second a Mrs. Martin. The third death 
was that of Stephen Patterson, who was crushed while stoning up a 
well. The first marriage was Medad Cole to a daughter of Stephen 
Patterson. Dr. John Spencer, from Windsor, Ct., was the first practising 



310 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

physician, wlio moved into town, and for several years was the only one 
within many miles. On his arrival in April 1807, there were eleven 
families living in town, viz: Richard Townsend, Isaac and Daniel Austin, 
Pardon Babcock, Willard Smith, Eleazer Nichols, Stephen Patterson, 
Isaac Morgan, Benjamin Smith, Israel Porter, and Stephen Smith. 
Previous to his arrival Dr. Seeley, of De Kalb, was occasionally called. 
On the first occasion in which medical assistance was needed, the mes- 
senger got belated, and was compelled to lie out in a thunder storm, 
and returned in the morning by following in his dog. Gilchrist, Consta- 
ble and others, of the great proprietors, traveled through the town in 
the summer of 1807, and made a short stay. The settlers feeling the 
want of a bridge, and hoping nothing from the town of Oswegatchie, of 
which they were then a part, raised in 1808, by voluntary subscription, 
the sum of $500, with which they hired Mr. Isaac Kendall, to build the 
first bridge in the village. It stood 12 years, and was then replaced by 
one costing |1000, built by Mr. James Parker. The chief contributors 
to the first, were the two Austins, Townsend, Babcock, Spencer, Porter 
and Morgan. 

The shanty used by the workmen on the bridge, in the autumn of the 
same year, became the first school room, and was occupied by Miss 
Elizabeth S. Sackett, now Mrs. John Parker, of Fowler. It stood near 
where the Presbyterian church now is. The first r^n school, was 
taught by Sylvester McMasters, in a shop erected for mechanical pur- 
poses, by Capt. Babcock, but which was relinquished for this use. In 
1811, the first school house was built of logs, on the ground now occu- 
pied by the Plank Road House, west of the bridge. In 1808, Mr. Porter 
opened the first public house, and soon after, John Brown commenced 
as a merchant. During this summer Gouverneur Morris, spent three 
weeks in town, at the house of Mr, Isaac Austin, from whence he pro- 
ceeded by water to the Ox Bow, where his nephew Lewis R. Morris, 
■was living. In 1809, a clearing of 80 acres was made for Morris by 
Joseph Bolton, near the natural dam, and a grist and saw mill were 
erected there at the proprietor's expense, by Mr. Austin, and the premi- 
ses long afterwards bore the name of Morris's Mills., Lands first sold 
for $2-50, but soon after were fixed at $3-00. 

In the spring of 1809, the following families were living in town. 
Wm. Cleghorn, J. S. Colton, Wm. Colton, Henry Welch, Israel Porter, 
Elkanah Partridge, Dr. J. Spencer, Isaac Austin, Eleazar Nichols, 
Rockwell Barnes, Stephen Patterson, Joseph Bolton, Holeab Smith, 
Benjamin Smith, Caleb Drake, Benjamin Clark, James Barnes, Calvin 
Bullock, Ephraim Gates, Richard Townsend, Isaac Morgan, Timothy 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 311 

Sheldon, Colburn Barrell, Reuben Nobles, Ephraim Case, Richard Kem- 
ble, John Hoyt, Pardon Babcock, Daniel Austin, Medad Cole. Besides 
these, Wrn. Canning, Sela Coleman, Alfred Cole, Harvey Black, Charles 
McLane, James and John Parker, Josiah Waid, and a few others, the 
last mentioned being mostly single men, were living in town or came in 
very soon after. The settlers in 1812, participating in the general alarm, 
commenced the erection of a block house in the present village of Gou- 
verneur, but it was never finished. The timbers were subsequently 
employed in the dam, and in buildings soon after erected. The dam iu 
the village was erected in 1814, the first machinery being clothing 
works, put in operation by one Downs. A frame school house was 
built on the east side of the river, in 1815, which was replaced by the 
present brick edifice in 1827. 

The war in this and many other towns, checked its gi-owth, for many 
years, but it soon after began to increase iu population quite rapidly, and 
in 1816-18, many families from Johnstown, located on the road leading 
to the Ox Bow, which still bears the name of Johnstown Street, from 
this cause. The first settler on that road was Jeremiah Merithue, in 
1810. In 1825 Israel Porter built the first grist mill in the village, Mr. 
Daniel W. Church, being the mill wright. It was burned about 1825. . 
A saw mill was built several years previously. 

The folio wiuf incident, which occurred in December, 1807, is worthy 
of record. It is derived from the person who was the subject of the 
adventure, and is reliable. Dr. Spencer had set out in the morning, on 
foot, to visit a patient beyond Antwerp, guided by a line of marked 
trees, and an obscure path through the woods, which extended but a part 
of the way. A light snow, followed by rain and frost, had fallen, which 
rendered the tread of men and animals audible to a great distance, and 
the air was chilly and uncomfortable. When he had proceeded about 
three miles, he was aroused by a rustling sound, and presently a deer 
pursued by a black wolf, past swiftly by him. He dropped behind a log 
to see the chase, without interrupting it, when he heard a louder sound 
behind him, and on looking back saw eleven other wolves, in a pack, 
which gave up the chase for the deer and stood gazing at the new game 
they had discovered. He jumped up, and with loud shouts and threat- 
ening gestures, endeavored to frighten them away, but without success, 
for they retreated but a few paces, and then turned to eye him narrowly. 
A short distance beyond, on the ground now covered by the house of 
Mr. G. Norton, stood the body of a log house, and his first thought was 
to run for that, in hopes that he could defend himself at the door, but 
upon second thought it was evident that but little hope of escape could 



312 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

be expected in flight. He next thought of climbing a tree, but tlien the 
wolves migiit watch him till he was exhausted with cold. At last find- 
ing that shouting and gestures, were of no avail, he laid down his pill 
bags, overcoat, and hat, and cutting a green beech stick, of sufScient 
size to be easily wielded, and of a weight that would give effect to a 
blow, he rushed at them swinging his weapon, and making all the up- 
roar in his power, by beating the icy bushes until they were scattered, 
when losing that confidence which numbers had given them, they fled 
iu different directions. His first thought was to return back, but dread- 
ing the jeers of his neighbors, who might say that he had been scared 
by a wolf, he kept on his course. Befoi'e out of heai-ing, he distinguished 
the cries of the pack, as they were again mustering, but he saw no more 
of them. 

A separate account of the academy in this town will be given. The 
village of Gouverneur, was incorporated under a general act, Dec. 7, 
J 847. Its first ofiicers were as follows: 

Edwin Dodge, Peter Van Buren, S. B. Van Duzee, N. D. Arnod and 
I. P. Stnith, trustees. H. Schermerhorn, Rich'd Parsons and O. G. Barnum, 
assessors. Zebina Smith, collector. Chauncey Dodge, clerk. H. D. Smith, 
treasurer. O. G. Barnum, pouiid master. Its present officers (1852,) are 
Peter Van Buren, M. Barney, J. Fosgate, R. Parsons and W. M. Good- 
rich, trustees. I. Smith, O. S. Barnum and S. Cone, assessors. H. L. 
Conklin, clerk. H. D. Smith treasurer. Z. Smith, colUcter and pound 
master. 

The inhabitants of Gouverneur and Morristown, were authorized, April 
15, 1826, to elect three trustees, to have charge of the public lands, and 
apply the profits for the support of schools. On the 31st of March, 1828, 
the overseers of the poor were directed to pay to the trustees of the pub- 
lic lots, $1000 of the poor moneys in their hands, to be invested for the 
support of schools. From this fund and the proceeds from the sales of 
the school lot, a large fund has accrued. The trustees of the Baptist and 
Presbyterian societies, by an instrument on file, among the archives of 
the state, relinquished their claims in favor of schools. 

The Gouverneur Union Library was incorporated Feb. 14, 1815. 
Richard Kimball, Benjamin Brown, Timothy Sheldon, Joseph Smith, 
Pardon Babcock, Aaron Atwood, Rockwell Barnes and Israel Porter, 
being the first trustees. 

Religious Societies. — The first church formed in town, is said to have 
been by the Baptists, to which sect many of the first settlers belonged. 
They were organized in February, 1810, by Elder Jonathan Payne, and 
at first, numbered eleven members. Elder Payne has been succeeded by 
Elisha Morgan, Noah Barrel!, Joseph Sawyer, Clement Haven, Newell 
Boughton, S. Pomeroy, N. O. Webb, J. Sawyer and Conant Sawyer. The 
First Baptist Society of Gouverneur was formed April 14, 1825. Wm. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 3^13 

W» RhodeSj Rufus Smith, Alanson Townsend, Benjamin Leavitt, 
Miles Turner and Moses Rowley, being the first trustees. It was reor- 
ganized July 2, 1835. In 1822, they erected a church; and in 1850 and 
1851, their present very elegant chirrch, at a cost of about $3000. It is 
the first one to the right of the Seminary, in our view of Gouverneur 
village. 

The First Congregational or Presbyterian Church, was formed May 
24, 1817, consisting of six persons, since which time up to Jan. 1, 1852, 
538 have been admitted to membership. On the 20th of April, 1820, the 
First Congregational or Presbyterian Society in Gouverneur, was incor- 
porated, with John Spencer, Richard Kimball, Wm. Cleghorn, William 
Colton, Rockwell Barnes and James Parker trustees. This church was 
not regularJy supplied by a minister until the 1st of January, 1820, since 
which time the following clergyman have been employed. 

Rev. James Murdock, 1820-25; Rev. Richard C. Hand, 1825-33; Rev. 
Jonathan Hovey, 1833-34: Rev. Robert F. Lawrence, 1835-38; Rev. 
Simeon Bicknell, 1838-42; Rev. B. B. Beckwith, 1843, till the present 
time. Tlie first church edifice was erected in 1820, and completed ia 
1824. Cost $1,400. 

The present meetinghouse was completed at a cost of $3,500, and de- 
dicated in August, 1844. It is represented on the right in our engraving 
of Gouverneur village. 

The author is indebted to Harvey D. Smith, Esq., the clerk of this so- 
ciety, fiar the foregoing facts. 

A Congregational Church was formed in February, 1843, and on the 
21stof March, a society was incorporated as the Second Congregational 
Church of Gouverneur. Rockwell Barnes, Nathan W. Smith and John. 
Leach, being the trustees. 

Being disappointed in not receiving materials which bad been expected, 
we are unable to give that particular account of this and other societies, 
in this and other towns, which was desirable. 

The first Universalist Society of Gouverneur and Hailesboro, was in- 
coi'porated Jan. 7, 1849, with James Sherwin, Francis Farmer, Hall 
Tuttle, I. P. Smith, Addison Giles and Sanford Betts, as trustees. 

Hammond 

Was formed from Rossie and Morristown, March 30, 1827, to take 
effect on the 1st of May following. Its line on the side of Morristown, 
was changed May 2, 1837; a corner south of Black lake, was on the 11th 
of April, 1842, attached to Macomb ; and the line bordering Rossie, which 
at first ran parallel with the original line of Somerville, one and a half 
miles southeast of it, was on the 7th of Feb., 1844, changed to its present 
course from the corner of the old township, to the head of Mile bay. 

Supervisors.~\827-8, Sylvester Butrick ; 1829-31, Roswell Ryon; 1832, 
Allen Cook; 1833, Orrin Brown; 1834-5, Loren Bailey; 1836-7, George 
C. Daniels; 1838, Orrin Brown; 1839-40, Enoch Taylor; 1841, Ebenezer 
N. Demick; 1842, Orville E. Wightman ; 1843, E. N. Demick; 1844-7, 
Wm. H. Wright; 1848-9, Henry Zoller; 1850, Sidney S. Wait; 1851, 
Josiah Zoller; 1852, Abel P. Morse. 

In 1831, the town voted to petition that the interest of the poor fund 
might be applied to the support of schools. 



814 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The town derives its name from Ahijah Hammond, of New York, who 
owned the township previous to the purchase of David Parish. He was 
a brother-in-law of David A. Ogden, and a merchant and speculator of 
New York, and at one time had in conjunction with others, a scheme of 
purchasing the vacant lands then existing above the settled parts of New 
York, but which now lie in the heart of the city. In the revolutionary 
war he held a commission as captain of artillery. He never visited his 
northern purchases, and took no further interest in them than as a sub- 
ject for speculation. David Parish purchased of Hammond and wife, 
28,871 acres Sept. 12, 1814. Slight beginnings had been made previous- 
ly, but no titles of land passed to actual settlei's until July, 1818, when 
Wm. Wiley took the first contract. Loren Bailey went into town as au 
agent, on the 31st of July, 1818, and it then began to settle rapidly. Mr. 
B. continued the agent till his death, when the office was removed to 
Rossie. The first actual resident in town is said to have been one Wm . 
McNeill, from Vermont, who had been in town several years previous to 
1812. He attempted no clearing, lived a hermit's life, subsisted by hunt- 
ing and fishing, and dwelt in a niche in the rocks, at Chippewa bay. 
The first clearing was commenced in the summer of 1812, by William 
Wiley, from Vermont, at the present village of Hammond Corners. In 

1813, Barker, from Rossie, settled a mile south of the Corners, and 

opened a tavern. At this time the Ogdensburgh turnpike was laid 
through the town, and worked in this and the next year. 

In the summer of 1814, an attempt was made by a party of fifty or 
sixty Canadians, under Duncan Fraser, to abduct one or two refugees 
who had taken up their abode in town, and had rendered themselves 
obnoxious to their former Canadian neighbors, by repeated depredations 
committed in revenge for I'eal or supposed injuries. The party landed 
very early in the morning at Chippewa bay, and proceeded in quest of 
their object, but missed their path, which delayed their arrival till sun- 
rise, at the inn of Mr. Barker, where the principal object of their search 
was sleeping. Alarmed by the family, this person fled half dressed to 
the woods, narrowly escaping the shower of balls aimed at him. The 
house was ransacked in vain for papers, and the party returned home 
disappointed in their pursuit. 

The greater part of the town of Hammond, west of the village, and in 
the direction of Chippewa bay, was settled by Scotch emigrants, in 1818, 
1819, and 1821. These families came over singly, and without any par- 
ticular destination, and meeting the agents of Mr. Pairish, were induced 
to locate on his tract, where they, or their immediate descendants, mostly 
continue to reside. The following persons located in 1818: John and 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 815 

David Gregor, John Baird, Peter Allen, John Hill and James Hill, of 
whom all but the two latter, were married. A Mr. Cowan, one of their 
number, was killed in the following winter by the fall of a tree, and Mr. 
Parish, with characteristic liberality, paid the expenses of his widow's 
return to Scotland. In 1819, Thomas Caswell, Wm. Nickol, James 
Rogers, Robert Morris, Robert and Andrew Shields, John Mercer, 
Thomas Dodds, and Wm. Burke, an Englishman, came into the settle- 
ment; and in 1821, John Brown. Several of the latter were single men, 
and none of them past the middle of life, and the evidences of prosperity 
which meet the eye of the traveler, sufficiently prove that they have suc- 
cessfully encountered the hardships of a new settlement 

A few years later, others were induced to emigrate through the repre- 
sentations of those already located. To those of the first and second 
year, who required it, Mr. Parish extended a similar credit with that of 
his settlers in Rossie. 

The first school in the Scotch settlement, if not in town, was taught 
by Dr. James Scott, of Lisbon, in the winter of 1819-20. Mr. Bailey, 
the agent, settled at Chippewa bay, three and a half miles from the 
Corners. Abram Cooper soon after commenced improvements at this 
place, which at present although but a small settlement, forms an im- 
portant port for the export of iron from Rossie, and lumber and produce 
from the surrounding country. A steam saw mill was ei'ected hex'e 
about 1844, by James E. Lyon. 

Oak Point is a small village and landing, at the point where the origi- 
nal line of Hague and Hammond touched the river. George Elliot first 

commenced a settlement here, and was succeeded by Cowan, in 

1824, who opened a small grocery store. Earl Atwood, Abram Schermer- 

horn, from Trenton, N. Y. ; Matthews, and a few others, came soon 

after. In 1825, a wharf was built on a small island in tlie channel com- 
municating with the shore by a bridge; and in 1838, this was rebuilt. 
A post office was established in 1840, and a custom house has existed 
for many years. The deputy collectors have been J. G. McCormick, 
Benjamin Franklin, and Amos Webster. The duties in 1850 were 
$2,461-31, and in 1851, |2,191-64, mostly on cattle, sheep and horses. 
This office had previously been located at the Corners, where Sylvester 
Butrick and Arnold Smith had held it. A light house was erected on 
Cross-Over island a short distance above, in 1847. The river steam 
boats formerly landed here regularl^^, but this practice has been for some 
time discontinued. 

The south part of the town, on the military road, was first settled about 
1819, by Samuel Webster and William Tappan, of Vermont. Jonathan 



316 HISTORY OF ST* LAWRENCE 

Ring, of Herkimer county, settled in the following year, and commenced 
keeping an inn. The military road from Sackett's Harbor to Hammond, 
had been cut through shortly before the war, but from disuse, had be- 
come impassable. It was reopened in 1823, by a company of about 
twenty-five soldiers from Sackett's Harbor, who volunteered for the ser- 
vice, and drew extra pay for their labor. They were under the direction 
of Capt. Wilkie, and afterwards of Capt. Ransom. The road was laid 
out as a highway, one or two years at'ter, and has continued one of the 
principal thoroughfiires from Watertown to Ogdensburgh. The South 
Hammond post office was established in 1833, Mr. King being post- 
master. The office has continued in the care of him and his son, Henry 
King, until the present time. The hotel at South Hammond was erected 
in the summer of 1648. There is no village in this vicinity. 

On the 19th of April, 1834, Loren Bailey, Azariah Walton and 
Elbridge G. Merrick were appointed commissioners to open a road from 
the line of Clayton and Lyme, to a road leading from Chippewa bay to 
Osdensburgh. This road was through the villages of French Creek 
and Alexandria Bay to Hammond. The lands adjacent were taxed to 
build it. 

Opposite to the town of Hammond, in the channel of the St. Law- 
rence, lay the last of the Thousand Islands, a most beautiful and 
romantic group, which seldom fails to elicit the admiration of the tra- 
veler, as he threads bis course among them. They commence near the 
outlet of Lake Ontario, and extend along the entire river front of Jeffer- 
son county, and consist principally of gneis rock, which rises from the 
green limpid waters of the great river, in an infinite variety of pleasing 
forms and groups ; most of them still covered with the primitive forests, 
with here and there a clearing, and a curling spire of smoke rising 
among the trees, which indicates the site of the home of some secluded 
settler. The larger islands are mostly under a fine state of cultivation, 
and possess a fertile soil, and some of them have interesting mineral 
localities. The singularly romantic beauty of this group, struck in a 
most forcible manner the attention of the early French voyageurs, who 
dwelt upon the lovely spectacle which they presented, and described in 
language that would apply to the dream of a romance, the picturesque 
forms that every where rose above the water, and were reflected from 
its placid surface. Nor are they destitute of incident, which gives addi- 
tional interest to the association, and the events of the early French and 
Indian wars of the revolution, of the war of 1812-15, and of the patriot 
war, so called, of a still recent period, give a charm to numerous locali- 
ties, which f<;vv, who delight in the association of the incidents of former 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 317 

times, with present appej»rance, will fail to appreciate. Among the 
objects most likely to attract the notice of the traveler, as he passes the 
South channel, from Clayton to Cape Vincent, is a group of chimney*, 
which looms up from an elevated plain, at the head of Carlton island, 
and are the remains of a fortress that the French erected in early times, 
for the protection of their trade and travel, to more remote stations in 
the west. Indian Hut island, in Chippewa bay, is supposed to derive 
its name from the residence of the Quaker Indian, alluded to on page 
44 of this work. 

Rdifdous Societies. — The first Presbyterian union society, in the town 
of Hammond, was incorporated December 14, 1827, with Luther Lan- 
phear, James Hills and Walter Wilson, trustees. A church had been 
formed shortly before, by the Rev. Hiram S. Johnson, of 12 members, 
which was under rhe St Lawrence Presbytery, and the pastoral care of 
Joseph Taylor. From sickness and other causes, this organization was 
lost. The present Presbyterian society, belonging to the Ogdensburgh 
Presbytery, is a separate church. They have a stone meeting house in 
Hamnjond Corners, and for several years have been under the pastoral 
care of the Rev. John McGregor. The first society of the M. E. church 
of Hammond, was incorporated SejJtember '^J, 18.32. Rev. Joel J. 
Emms, William S. Wait, Alonzo D. Carter, William Brown and Abel 
Franklin, trustees. A Free Will Kaptiat church was formed April 6, 
1843, by Elder Samuel B. Padin, who preached two years. It was com- 
posed of 14 males and 13 females, most of whom reside in the south 
part of the town. They have fonned no legal society, and have no 
house of worship. Trinity church, in the towns of Hammond and 
Rossie, was incorporated December 16, 1846. Henry W. Chapman and 
A. P. Morse, wardens; W^illiam B. Bostwick, Phirenda Butterfield, 
William Laidlaw, Sophereth Ophir, William Welch, Robert Morris, 
John Burrows, and James Hill, vestrymen. This society has never 
erected a church. 

Hermo:?. 
This town was formed from Edwards and De Kalb, under the name 
of Depeau, April 17, 1830. It received this name from Francis Depeau, 
of New York, who was also extensively concerned in the French pur- 
chase, in Jefferson county. He was interested in the middle third, which 
had passed from McCormick to George Lewis, July 12, 18C4, who sold 
to John and Curtis Bolton, August 1, 182.3. The latter sold to Depeau, 
June 6, 1828, and the latter May 3, 18-30, conveyed to Sarah, wife of 
John Bolton. It originally embraced the township of Fitz William, or 
No. 4, and a strip, 1 mile by 6, from the southeast side of De Kalb. The 
board of supervisors have recently attached a part to Edwards, as stated 
in the preceeding pages. In a short time the inhabitants found it a 
source of annoyance, to have a name so near like Depeauville, in Jeffer- 
son county, to which their mails often went, and they procured a change 
of name on the 28th of February, 1834, to HEaMO.'T. A post office had 



318 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

been formed December 20, 1828, of this name, which was taken from 
the scriptures. 

The first town meeting was held at the house of Nathaniel Kent, at 
which the following were elected: 

William Teall, supervisor; Benjamin Healy, clerk; Wilkes Richardson, 
Isaac C. Pool, Silas Williams, assessors; Simeon Peterson, Jesse Wor- 
den, Sluibael Parker, commissioners of highiomfs ; Wilkes Richardson, 
Robert Gotham, Henry Tanner, commissioners of schools; Benjamin 
Healy, Aaron Teall, CD. Morehouse, inspectors of schools ; Martin L. 
Cook, John Matoon, overseers of poor; Charles D. Redfield, collector; 
Ariel Wrisley, Charles C. Redfield, constables. 

Supervisors.— 1820-2. William Teall ; 1833, Reuben L. Willson ; 1834-6, 
Harry Tanner; 1837, Silas Williams; 1838-9, Henry P. Cook; 1840, 
Nathaniel Kent; 1841-2, H. P. Cooke; 1843-7, Silas Williams; 1848-51, 
Seymour Thatcher; 1852, David W. Weeks. 

The first settlement in this town was begun by James Taylor, several 
years before the war, in the western part of the township of Fitz William, 
and near the line of Gouverneur. George Davis, James Farr, Philemon 
Stewart, Ariel Inman and Rufus Hopkins had setded in the town pre- 
vious to 1812. Those who located on township No. 4, did so without 
previously making an arrangement with an agent, as none had been 
then appointed. David McCollom, from Rutland county, Vt., but then 
from Canada, came in 1812; Roger Story, in 1813; German Souther- 
land, in 1816. The first saw mill was erected, in 1818, on Elm creek, 
jn the present village of Hermon, by Milton Johnson, from Russell 
The first death in the town was that of Thomas Farr. In 1819, a grist 
mill and distillery were erected, in what is now the village of Hermon. 
by Milton Johnson. The latter was kept up till 1832 or 1833. The first 
religious meetings in town were held in 1811, by the Rev. Mr. Wright, a 
missionary from Massachusetts. The first schools were kept in the house 
of David McCollom, near the village of Hermon, in winters of 1817-18, 
by William D.Moore; and 1818-19, by Wesley McCollom. The first 
road opened through the town, was from De Kalb to Russell, during the 
war. The next was from the present village of Hermon, to De Kalb, in 
1818. The setders suffered rather more than the usual share of distress 
from the famine which ensued from the cold season of 1816. During 
the war, the settlement of the town was checked, and numbers left the 
country, from fear of Indian incursions. In 1822, 3, 4, 5, the town set- 
tled quite rapidly, and din-ing the latter year, the numbers of settlers 
increased more rapidly than in any other. The second mill in town was 
built on Elm creek, one mile above the present village of Hermon, by 
Abram Fisk. In the following year, Amos Marsh bought the premises 
and erected a grist mill. From him the settlement in this vicinity was 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 319 

named Marshville. William Teal] opened a store in 1823, in the north- 
ern edge of the town, and soon after William Martin commenced the 
first mercantile business in the village of Hermon. This place on Lay's 
map of 1817, is named Easthurnville, which it never bore among the 
inhabitants. The village of Hermon is a thriving and growing place, 
and has a direct plank road communication with Ogdensburgh, Canton, 
&c., and the Potsdam and Watertown rail road will pass between it and 
De Kalb. 

The county records show the incorporation of the cemetery associa- 
tions in this town, viz: 

Tlie Marshville Cemeiry Association. — March 11, 1850, Edmund Allen, 
Sen., Martin McCoilom, Clarke Maine, Ralph Fisher, Isaac C. Sherwin, 
Thomas Campb .11, trustees. 

Hermon Hill Burying Ground Association. — January 18, 1851, Peter 
Clintsman, Calvin Rhodes, P. D. Miller, Chester Wiusiow, J. B. Miller, 
R. M. Hall, trustees. 

Religious Societies. — The Methodist, Baptist, Christian and Presbyterian 
sects, have or have had organization in town. In 1826, Elder James 
Spooner, formed a small church of the Christian order, which once had 
70 but now only 30 members. Elder J. Starkey, has the pastoral care at 
present, and for the past twenty years, has filled the ofiice. 

The First Baptist Society of the town of Hermon, was incorporated 
Dec. 3, 1845. Horatio Marsh, Daniel V. Babcock, Edward Maddock, 
Wm. E, Tanner, Thedorus Frisby and Orle Gibbins, trustees. 

The First Society of the Methodist Church, in the town of Hermon, 
was incorporated November 1, 1847. Samuel I. Bingham, Seymour 
Thatcher, Joseph H. Beard, Lorenzo H. Sheldon, Orin Nichols, Timothy 
B. Hatch and Daniel Mclntyre, trustees. These societies each erected 
in Hermon village, in 1848, a church edifice, costing about $1400 each 
The Methodist church is furnished with a fine toned bell. 

HOPKINTON 

Was erected March 2, 1805, from Massena, and included Islington and 
Catharineville, and so much of Chesterfield as was annexed to the town 
of Massena. The first town meeting was to be held at the house of 
Eliakim Seeley. All the remainder of Massena in the second tract, 
without the bounds above mentioned, were annexed to Hopkinton, which 
was declared to be a part of St. Lawrence county. By the erection of 
Lawrence and Parishville, it has been reduced to its present limits, which 
alone are sufficient for a small county, although the settled part is a strip 
scarcely four miles wide across the north end. It embraces the most of 
14, and the whole of 15, 12, 8, 9, 5, 6, 2, 3, of the second tract of the Great 
purchase. The town was named in compliment to Judge Hopkins, the 
first settler, and a man of much prominence in the early history of the 
county. A biographical notice will be given in this work. The title to 
No. 14, passed from McCormick to Macomb, June 24, 1801, by a deed 



320 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

for 23,886 acres, and a part (7,675 acres,) from A. Macomb to A. M. Jr., 

January 1, 1808. 

At the town meeting held March 4, 1806, Roswell Hopkins was elected 
supervisor; Henry McLaughlin, clerk; Amasa Blanchard, Joseph Arm- 
strong, Reuben Post, assessors; A. Blancliard, Seth Al»bot, overseers of 
^oor;, Abraham Sheldon, constable and collector; A. Sheldon, R. Post, H. 
McLaughlin, eommissioners of highways ; Eli Squier, Oliver Sheldon, A. 
Blanchard, yence viewers; Oliver Sheldon, pound keeper. 

Supei-visors. — 1806, R. Hopkins; 1807, Benjamin W. Hopkins; 1808, 
Henry McLaughlin; 1809, R. Hopkins; 18i0, B. W.Hopkins; 1811, J. 
R. Hopkins; 1820-2, Thadeus Laughlin; 1823-6, Jonah Sanford; 1827-9, 
Isaac R. Hopkins; 1830-2, Joseph Durfey; 1833, L R. Hopkins; 1834-5, 
T. Laughlin; 1836, Phineas Durfey; 1837, Eliakim Seelev; 1838, T. ' 
Laughlin; 1839, L R. Hopkins; 1840-1, Clark S. Chittenden ; 1842-4, Elias 
Post; 1845, Gideon Sprague; 1846-7, Clark S.Chittenden; 1848-9, E. 
Post; 1850-1, C. S. Chittenden ; 1852, Joseph B. Durfey. 

Memoranda from the Records. — 1806. A committe appointed to decide 
upon a lawful fence, and report rules for the range of domestic ani- 
mals. 1807, wolf bounty, |10. 1808, Henry Mc. Laughlin, Amasa 
Blanchard and Seth Abbott, appointed to prescribe rules for regulating 
the manner in which inoculation for the small pox shall be administered 
in town. $60 voted to buy a set of statute laws and blank books. At 
an adjourned meeting in March, $100 voted for destroying wolves, $5 
bounty offered ; $250 voted for the poor. 

1809. $100 ibr the poor, and various sums often larger in following 
years. Wolf bounty $5. 

1810. Bounty on wolves, $10, and $100 to destroy these animals. At 
a special meeting in June, $500 previously appropriated to bridges, given 
to the St. Lawrence Tui-npike Co., on condition that the road be located 
in a certain route. 

1811. At a special meeting the legislature petitioned to tax the town to 
aid the North West Bay road. Also, to petition for a lottery to raise the 
sum of $10,000'; to repair this road ; also, to pray for exemption from ser- 
vice on juries, during four years. $100 voted to encourage the destruc- 
tion of wolves, and $5, "to be paid out of the above sum, for each wolf's 
scalp, capable of doing mischief." The same bounties in 1812-13-14-L5. 
In 1816, $50 raised for wolf bounties, and a bounty of $10; with $5 "for 
every wolPs whelp scalped and destroyed in town." 

1817. $10 wolf bounties ; 75 cents for two bounties and $10 appropriated 
for this business. $50 to pay T. Meacham, for killing 2 panthers. 

1818. $10 voted to pay for the desti'uction of every catamount in the 
town. 

1819. Five hog constables elected; $20 panther bounty; $10 wolf 
bounty; $1 fox bounty. 

1820. $10 wolf bounty ; $15 panther bounty ; $1 per hundred for the de- 
destruction of mice, $25 said to be paid for the latter. 

1321. Bounties offered as follows; wolves $5; wolf whelps, $2'50; 
panthers, $15; their young, $7*50; foxes, $2; young foxes, $1. « 

1824. $10 wolf bounties, and $5 for wolf whelps. 

1825. $5 for evolves, and half this sum for their young. 
1835. Three hog constables elected. 

In May, 1802, Roswell Hopkins, of Vergennes, Vt., having bought a 

part of Islington, of Hammond, came into town to' make a settlement 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 321 

accompanied by Samuel Goodale, B. W. Hopkins, his son, Jared 
Dewey, Eliphalet Branch and Joel Goodale. 

In June, having made arrangements for clearing land, Mr. H. started to 
return to Vermont, on horseback, by a line of marked trees, and in ford- 
ing the St, Regis river, which was swollen by heavj' rains, his house was 
partly thrown over by the violence of the current, and his portmanteau, 
containing in one end the provisions for his journey, and in the other 
several hundred dollars in specie, were swept down stream, and lost. 
At the approach of winter, the party returned to Vermont. In March, 
1803, Judge Hopkins, Abraham Sheldon, Eli and Ashbel Squire, moved 
their families into town. The first birth occurred in December, 1803, in 
the family of Mi". Sheldon. In this season, the first grist mill was erected 
by Mr. Hopkins, on Lyd brook, near the present village of Hopkinton. 
During the first year, and until the mill was built, the settlers were 
obliged to go to the Long Saut, on the Canadian shore, to mill. In addi- 
tion to the foregoing, Thomas Remington, Gaius Sheldon, Reuben Post, 
Eliakim Seeley, Henry McLaughlin. Thadeus McLaughlin, Horace Train," 
Jasper Armstrong and Seth Abbott, came in 1804 and 1805, many ofthem 
with families, and from this time the settlement grew rapidly. The fol- 
lowing interesting account was published in the JVorthem Cabinet, Sept. 
3, 1845, and is understood to have been writien by Elisha Risden, a 
pioneer settler and surveyor: 

" The first, settlers^of Islington, now Hopkinton, came by the way of 
French Mills to St. Regis, and thence up the St. Regis river to Stock- 
holm, and thus to their destination. Previous to 1805, the main road 
fr6m the east into St. Lawrence county, passed through Chateaugay to 
Malone, Bangor, Moira, and Chesterfield (now Lawrence) to Stockholm, 
and thence to Potsdam, and on to a few new settlements beyond. A 
road had been opened on the western side of the St. Regis river, be- 
tween Islington and Stockholm and another road from Islington, leading 
north east, crossed the St. Regis river, and intersected the road from 
Malone to Stockholm, half a mile west of Deer river. These roads were 
laid down with little regularity along the most favorable ground, were 
without bridges or causeways, and mostly impassable, except when 
bridged by the ice in the winter. In March 1805, there were no settle- 
ments between Islington and Deer river, nor between Deer river and 
Stockholm. Between Deer river and Malone a few scattered beginnings 
had been made. At the date above mentioned, several families moving 
into the county, had reached Deer river, where they were obliged to en- 
camp, as the ice had broken up, and the river was impassable for teams. 
Hearing the condition of these families. Dr. Pettibone, of Stockholm, 
sent a message to Roswell Hopkins, Esq., of Islington, inviting the young 
•men of that settlement, to meet those from Stockholm, at the river, and 
erect a bridge. The request was immediately circulated, and although 
at 10 o'clock at night, they mustered their forces and started on the els- 
pedition. The St. Regis river had first to be crossed, as the ice bridge 
had been broken up, and this was effected by wading on horseback at 



322 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

midnight, and with infinite peril, the rapid and swollen river. The night 
was dark and cloudy; there were but three horses to transport the party 
of nine men, wiiich was at length effected at six times crossing, and the 
company met that from Stockholm at the appointed place, early ju the 
morning, and at once proceeded to plan and execute a good and sub- 
stantial log bridge — the first one across Deer river — at a point about one 
hundred rods below the present village of Lawienceville. The party 
from Islington, on their return home reached the St. Regis several 
hours sooner than the time appointed for the horses to be sent to meet 
them, and as the river had subsided somewhat, one or two of the com- 
pany cut each of them a pole to support themselves against the current, 
and with their boots and axes slung to their backs, forded the river by 
wading. The horses were sent to transport the remainder, and the whole 
party returned without accident. From Deer river to Islington, was 8^ 
miles by the ford, and 15 by Stockholm. From Esq. Hopkins's to the 
ford 1 5 miles. Mr. Hopkins was remarkably attentive in assisting set- 
tlers to cross this lord, and kept a watch to give notice when teams ar- 
rived, and the young men could go down with two yoke of oxen and a 
strong sled, cross over to them, fasten their sleighs with withes and 
ro|)es to the top of the sled, and so recross. In crossing, the empty 
sled would float, and the ferrymen were obliged to wade by its side and 
work with all their might to keep it from floating down stream. The 
sleighs were lightened of their contents, hoisted with levers and skids 
on to the sled, bound fast, reloaded, and crossed over. Difficulty was 
often experienced in keeping the load upright, and the screams of the 
women and children as their craft veered and floundered along the 
angry stream, formed a picture strikingly characteristic of primitive 
times and known only to pioneers. In April of this year the sleighing 
ceased, but people continued to arrive on horseback and on foot, who 
were often dfsappointed at the difficulties in crossing, and in several 
instances travelers coming to Islington, after reaching the ford, retraced 
their steps and proceeded to iheir destination by the very circuitous route 
of Stockholm. To obviate these difficulties a foot bridge was built at 
the ferry, which although I'ude and temporary was very acceptable. 
The ford way road is now occupied by cultivated fields, and its route 
exists only in the recollections of the few remaining jDioneer settlers. 

In May 1807, the first death (that of an infant) occurred. Previous to 
this there had been 26 births. In 1809, Abram Sheldon built the first 
framed house. In 1807 the town contained 48 persons capable of voting 
for senators. In 1810 a social library was incorporated, 45 persons 
having subscribed $115 for the purpose. The first trustees wei'e Roswell 
Hopkins, Amasa Blanchard, Henry McLaughlin, Rueben Post, Seth 
Abbott, Stephen Langworthy, Jasper Armstrong, Benjamin W. Hopkins. 
Dr. Stephen Langworthy was the first physician who settled in town, 
in a very early day. The second was Dr. Gideon Sprague, from New 
Haven, Addison Co., Vt., who settled in town in 1811, and is at present 
the second oldest practitioner in St. Lawrence county. Dr. E. Baker, 
of Canton, settled thore in 1806. In 1824, Isaac R. Hopkins built a saw 
mill on the St. Regis river, north of the village, and at the raising it was 
christened Fort Jackson, which the little village at this place still bears. 
There are here two churches, saw natU, clothing works, starch factory, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 323 

&c., and in the vicinity a valuable quarry of Potsdam sandstone, which 
has been used for lining several fui'naces. This beautiful building ma- 
terial should supersede every other in the vicinity, where it can be pro- 
cured, and would be found moi'e cheap, durable and elegant than any 
other that the country affords. Blocks of any convenient size and very 
uniform, can be readily procured here. 

On the last of February 1814, after the British party had returned 
from their incursion to Malone, and had arrived at French Mills, they 
earned from a citizen spy, who acted as their guide that a large amount of 
flour belonging to the United States army, was stored in a barn in the vil- 
lage of Hopkinton, and that there was no guard at that place to protect it. 
Upon this they detached Major De Heirne, of the British regular service, 
with Lieut. Charlton, the second in command, and about thirty soldiers, 
who proceeded in sleighs, by way of Moira corners, to Hopkinton, twenty- 
seven miles from French Mills, and arrived at that place early in the morn- 
ing, before the inhabitants were up. They first posted sentinels at the door 
of every house, and proceeded to search for arms in every place where 
they might be suspected to be found, and succeeded in obtaining about 
twenty stand, which had been distributed among the inhabitants. It is 
said that several muskets were saved, by being hastily laid in a bed, 
which had been occupied but a few moments previous, and thus eluded 
the search that was made for them. Their case has been described by 
the poet. 

" 'Tis odd, not one of all these seekers thought. 
And seems to me almost a sort of blunder, 
Of looking in the bed as well as U7ider." 

They found some three hundred bai-rels of flour stored in a barn 
owned by Judge Hopkins, and occupied by Dr. Sprague, but having no 
teams for conveying away more than half of that quantity, they began 
to destroy the remainder, but being dissuaded by the inhabitants, they 
desisted, and distributed the remainder among the citizens. During the 
brief sojourn of this party, they conducted themselves with strict pro- 
priety, and sacredly respected private property of every kiud, using or 
receiving nothing for which they did not offer compensation. No parole 
was required of the inhabitants. Upon the passage of the detachment 
of the American army through Hopkinton, on their way from French 
Mills to Sackett's Harbor, but a very short time previously, the officers 
in command were importuned by Judge Hopkins and others, for the 
privilege of carrying the military supplies in their village further west, to 
a place of greater safety, dreading the very event which soon after hap- 
pened. They offered to take their pay from the flour, at such prices as 
would be just and equitable, but no one appeared to feel themselves au- 
21 



324 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

thorized to order the removal, and it was not effectual. The surround- 
in<^ country would have readily fin-nished volunteers sufficient for this 
duty, and gladly undertaken if, had they been allowed the privilege. 

In 1816, snow and frost occrrued in every month in the year, and 
crops of all kinds, except grass and oats, were nearly destroyed. Flour 
was procured with the greatest difficuky, and sold at $22 per barrel. 

Thomas Meacham, a noted Nimrod, who spent many years in hunt- 
ing, in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, died near this town, on the 
North west Bay road, May 7, 1849, aged 79. He kept an account of his 
successes, which resulted as follows: wolves 214; panthers, 77; bears, 
210; deer, 2550. Mr. Meacham would relate many amusing anecdotes. 
His traps were always out and one day in examining them he found 
two wolves and a bear, and shot another on the way, making, as bounties 
then were, a profit of $185. A further account of this pioneer was pub- 
lished by Wm. H. Wallace, in his paper, the St. Lawrence Mercury, 
Dec. 19, 1849. 

Religious Societies. — July 6, 1808, five males and six females, were 
organized by the Rev. John W. Church, a missionary, into a Congrega- 
tional church. A society was formed Sept. 30, 1814, with Amasa Blancli- 
ard, Reuben Post and Issac R. Hopkins, trustees; Rev. Hiram S. John- 
son, now of Canton, was ordained pastor, in December, 1815, and 
remained till 1822, when he was succeeded by the Rev. RosweJl Petti- 
bone, who was installed, July 21, 1824, and who remained till Aug., 1830. 
The Rev. Messrs. J. Buder, Cha's Bowles, — P. Montague, Bachelor, J. A. 
Northrop and E. Wood, have since been employed. The present num- 
ber in the church is 84. A meeting house was built in 1827, at the cost 
of $2,800. Dr. Gideon, Sprague, Aaron Warner and Artemas Kent, 
being the building committee. 

A Baptist church was formed by Eld. Rowley Sept. 11, 1808, of but 6 
members. On the 12th of Sept. 1808, the sacrament of the supper was 
administered for the first time to the Congregational church, in the fore- 
noon and to the Baptist church in the afternoon, in the same house. A 
Baptist society was formed, Feb. 17, 1818, with Abijah Chandler, Jonah 
Sanford, Sylvanus C. Kersey, and Samuel Eastman, trustees. 

In 1815, these two societies erected a stone building for a place 
of worship and public business, which by a law of 1841, was repaired 
by a tax of $250, and now forms the village school house. On the 8th* 
of July, 1830, the name of the Baptist church, was changed to the 
Hopkinton and Lawrence church, at which time they held their meetings 
alternately at Hopkinton and Nicholville. On the 5th of Aug., 1843, 
the word Hopkinton was dropped, and they have been since permanent- 
ly located in Nicholville. A society of the M. E. church, was formed, 
Dec. 30, 1839, Josiah Smith, Martin Corey, Hiram B.Sheldon, Rufus 
Alden, Philip Mosher, Albert Sheldon, Bradley Adams, John Daniels, 
and John L. Ransom, trustees. 

A Free-Will Baptist church was organized in 1844 by Elder John 
Sweat, and Elder Wm. Whitfield, of 16 members. This church erected 
a commodious house of worship in 1847, cost $1,000, dedicated Jan. 2, 
1848, the ^ermon by Elder John yV. Lewis. Elder John Sweat was 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 325 

chosen pastor at the organization of this church, and still retains this 
relation. 

Lawrence. 

This town was erected from Hopkintoii and Brasher, April 21, 1828, 
to take effect on the Isi Monday of March, following. The first town 
^meeting was to be held at the house of Carlton Mc Eweu. The poor 
moneys were to be equitably divided, and a part of the town having been 
formerly set off from Massena to Brasher without their knowledge or 
consent, and without any division of the poor fund, it was also made the 
duty of the supervisors of Lawrence and Massena to meet and divide 
this fund, in the same manner and subject to the same appeal as above 
stated. 

The title is as follows: the proprietors to Harrison, Jan. 1, 1801, and 
from the latter to William Lawrence, Feb. 17, 1820. [Clerk's office Deeds, 
h. 5,p. 596.) Parts are now owned by D. Lynch Lawrence, a son of 
the above. 

The town derives its name from William Lawrence, of New York, a 
gentleman who had spent the prime of his life as a merchant, and en- 
gaged in foreign commercial enterprises. Having retired from business 
he purchased the unsold portions of Chesterfield, with the viewof givino- 
him some employment, and as he told one of his settlers to occupy his 
mind and prevent his time from dragging heavily, as he had been 
actively engaged in commerce in the four quarters of the globe, till, at 
the age of fifty, ^e found himself in circumstances which justified his 
retirement from active business. He died in New York, in 1824. It 
was his custom to spend his summers in town for two of three years 
before his death. 

Memoranda from the Records. — Carlton McEwen, supervisor ; Myron G. 
Peck, town clerk; James Trussell, Nathaniel Smith, Newel H. Lampson, 
assessors; Enos Burt, collector; James Trussell, Myron G. Peck, overseers 
of poor; Giles Hard,| David S. Murray, John Ferris, cam's of highways; 
Enos Burt, Warren Day, constables ; George P. Farran, Samuel Bent^ 
James Ferris, cam's of schools; D. Wright, N. Higgius, David S.Murray, 
Levi H. Powers, inspectors of schools. 

Supervisors.— 1829-32, Carlton McEwen; 1833-4, George P. Farrar; 
1835, C. McEwen ; 1836,31yron G.Peck; 1837, Luther Whitney; 1838-9, 
Walter Smead; 1840, no choice, a tie between J. F. Saunders and C. 
McEwen, who received 140 votes each. The justice appointed the lat- 
ter, who declined serving, and March 30, J. F. Saunders was elected at 
a special meeting; 1841, J. F. Saunders; 1842-3, Lucius Hubbard; 
1844, J. F. Saunders; 1845, Jude Clark; 1846-8, C. McEwin; 1849-50, 
Milo L. Burnham; 1851, Peabody Newland; 1852, Noah D. Lawrence. 

The first settlement, in the present town of Lawrence, was made by 
Brewer, who rame in as a subagent for the proprietor, Mr. 



326 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Harrison, to show land to settlers; and located on the farm now owned 
by Carlton McEwen, where he erected a shanty in the summer of 1801 
and remained till the summer following, when he sold out his interest 
and agency to Samuel Tyler. In the fall of 1806, Joseph and Samuel 
Tyler, from Piermont, N. H., Joseph St. Clair and Avery Sanders, from 
Middlesex. Vt., and Ephraim Martin from Bradford, Vt., and Abijah 
Chandler, from Lebanon, N. H., came in and selected farms, but did 
not move their families till the next spring. Having made a bargain 
with the agent. Judge Jiailey of Chateaugay, for land, Abijah Chandler | 
and the others above named, moved in to reside, most of them having 
families. Mrs. Chandler was the first white woman who came into town. 

These families first came to Hopkinton by sleighs, and proceeded 
thence to their destination after the snow had gone. Most of them 
settled in the central and northern parts of the present town, except 
Mr. Chandler, who settled a short distance from the present village of 
Nicholville. In May, 1807, these families were followed by Ira Allen, 
James and Jonathan Pierce, and Sidney Dunton. In June, Jonathan 
Stevens, Ambrose Lewis and families, and Jonathan Hartwell, without 
his family, located in town. The latter moved on in the following 
spring. 

In July, 1807, Jonathan, Green, and James Saunders, and D. C. Bas- 
tain, and in the same year John Howard, Asa Griflin, and John Prouty, 
came in. In 1808-9, the settlement was largely increased from Vermont 
and New Hampshire, and continued till the war, wherv every family but 
five are said to have left, and most of them never returned. From this 
time the settlements languished, and the pioneers were exposed to un- 
usual hardships from the difficulty of reclaiming their lands, and bringing 
them under cultivation. This arose from the very level surface, which 
when covered by forests, was wet and swampy, but which, now it is 
cleared up and cultivated, forms one of the finest and most valuable agri- 
cultural districts in the county. Deer were unusually plenty, and con- 
sequently wolves. An old lady, in relating these hardships, added, that 
" had it not been for the deer, they must all have starved, as venison was 
often the only food they had." 

The first school was taught in 1810, by Miss S. Tyler, and meetings 
were held in 1808, by a Quaker from Peru, N. Y. The first framed house 
was built in 1808, by Daniel Harris. 

It is only since the rail road has given value to the grazing districts 
of this section, that this town has begun to be most rapidly developed. 
Lands have advanced often one hundred per cent, and this increase is 
not a fictitious but a real addition to their value, especially for diarying; 
and this class of husbandry has in itself the elements of perpetuity, for 



Ax\D FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 327 

the produce of tlie fields mostly returned to them to refertilize the soil, 
and when judiciously managed, to preserve it in its original fertility. 
These remarks apply not to this town alone, but to Northern New Yorfc 
generally. 

There are in Lawrence three villages and post offices, viz : Nicholville, 
Lawrenceville, and North Lawrence. 

JVicholville is situated on the east branch of St. Regis river, where 
crossed by the St. Lawrence turnpike, and mostly upon the north bank, 
and consequently in Lawrence. In the summer of 1817, Samuel Wilson 
erected a saw mill on the south bank, and in 1822 a grist mill was built 
on the sairie side, but was swept off in 1830 by a flood. John Pomeroy, 
Eli Bush, Chester Armstrong, Calvin Converse and Horace Higgens, 
purchased and settled here about 1820. In 1824 a distillery, and in 
1826 a stone grist mill, were built. The village is named from E. S. 
Nichols, of N. Y., the executor of the estate of Wm. Lawrence, who af- 
terwards absconded with a large amount of funds i)elonging to a com- 
pany. For this reason an effort is being made to change the name of 
the village and post office. The river here runs in a deep and narrow 
valley, and the water power is occupied by two saw mills, a grist mill, a 
woolen factory, a machine shop, and the usual variety of mechanic shops; 
and the village has about a hundred families, three stores, a tavern, and 
a Baptist and a Union meeting house. The Port Kent road of 75 miles, 
through the central part of Franklin county, commences here on the 
north bank, and the old Northwest Bay road (recently reopened), a short 
distance west, on the road to Hopkinton. 

Lawrenceville is on both sides of Deer river, where crossed by the main 
road fi'om Potsdam to Malone. It forms the centre of business for a 
rapidly growing district, and has a water power sufficient for the ordi- 
nary wants of the place. A saw mill w^as built here in 1809, by Ephraim 
Martin, but the dam was soon swept away, and no further improvement 
was attempted until 1821, when another was built by Charles Kellogg, 
and in 1822 a grist mill. A store was opened in 1822, by Josiah F. Saun- 
ders, and about 1820 an inn, by John Shepard. In 1828, Dr. John In- 
man, the first physician, settled in town. In 1827-8, the place began to 
grow, and has at present three churches, several mills, stores, and shops> 
a starch factory, «fec., and is progressing with the surrounding country in 
wealth and prosperity. 

JVorth Lawrence owes its existence entirely to the rail road, and is situ- 
ated on the west bank of Deer river, where it is crossed by that road. 
A location had first been made here many years previous, by John W. 
Bean, who had erected a saw mill. Chauncey Bristol was the second 
settler in the vicinity. There is here a depot 50 by 100 feet, which re- 



328 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

ceives the business of the county north and south, three saw mills, one 
of them having a gang of about 30 saws, and numerous new stores, 
dwelhu^s, and other buildings, sufficiently indicate its thrift and pro- 
sperity. 

Religious Societies. — A Free Will Baptist church was formed July, 
1838, by Elder Benjamin Bundyand David Colby, of 5 members. Elders 
Samuel Nevvland, Samuel Hart and others; and at present the former 
have been pastors. Present number, 37. Tlie first Baptist evangelical 
society in the town of Lawrence, was formed November 19, 1840; Pea- 
hody Newland, Walter Smead and Stephen Hammond, trustees. Reor- 
ganized, May 14, 1842. The church established by the Baptists in 
Hopkinton, and since moved to Nicholville, now numbers 82. The 
names of clergymen in the order of their succession, sinco 1808, are 
Solomon Johnson, Beriah N. Leach, Silas Pratt, Peter Robinson, James 
M. Beeman and Elias Goodspeed, who is at present employed. A small 
meeting house was built in 1832, and enlarged in 1836, and in 1852, a 
church 40 by 50 feet, which was designed to be opened early in January, 
1853. These data were kindly furnished by Myron G. Peck, Esq., of 
that place. 

The M. E. church, of Lawrenceville, was incorporated April 6, 1842; 
David Blish, John Shepard, Charles Kellogg, Samuel Meacham, Chase 
S, Wise, John F. Carpenter and Thomas Heale, trustees. They have a 
church reported in the census of 1850, worth $1,200. 

The Congregational church and society of Lawrenceville, incorporated 
August 3, 1840; Heman Shepard, Aveiy Colling and John W. Bean, 
trustees. Their church is reported in the census worth $1,600. On 
the 17th of August, 1852, a church of this order was formed at N. Law- 
rence, of about 20 members, all but two of whom withdrew from the 
other for this purpose. They have been recently incorporated, and are 
about to erect a chui'ch. 

Lisbon 

Owes its origin to the following petition, which is said to have been 
intended as a preliminary to the location of the county seat in this 
town: 

" To the Honorable the Legislatui-e of the State of New York, in 
Senate and Assembly convened. • 

The memorial of the subscribers, for themselves, and in behalf of the 
settlers on the ten townships of land, situate on the river St. Lawrence, 
heretofore sold by the people of the state, respectfully sheweth: 

That many settlers are now established on the said townships, and 
have already made valiiable improvements thereon ; that great inconve- 
nience ensues, by reason of their remoteness from the settled parts of 
the state, and they are daily exposed to loss and injury in their property, 
by the waste and spoil committed by persons from the opposite side of 
the river St. Lawrence, and having no magistrates or constables among 
themselves, such injuries can not be redressed; that the said ten towns 
are situate in the counties of Montgomery, Oneida and Herkimer; that 
it has become highly iTecessary for the encouragement and prosperity of 
the settlers on the said townships, that they should be incorporated into 
one town. They therefore humbly pray, that the said townships, as 
described in the map, filed in the secretary's office, and known by the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, 329 

names of Louisville, Stockholm, Madrid, Potsdam, Lisbon, Canton, 
Oswegatcliie, De Kaib, Hague, and Cambray, may be erected into one 
town, and to be known by the town of Lisbon; and that the same may 
be annexed to the county of Clinton; and that the town meetings of the 
said town may be held in the township of Lisbon, being the center town- 
ship, at the house of Alexander J. Turner, and as in duty bound they 
will ever pray. 

Uri Barber, Calvin Hubbard, James Turner, Benj. Bartlett, Samuel 
Alien, Ahab Herington, Daniel Herington, Jacob Hoar, Alexander Tur- 
ner, Jun., John De Lance, David Zoyten ( ?), Festus Tracy, Jacob Pohl- 
man, John Tibbets, Alexander J. Turner, Stillman Foote, George Foote, 
Peter Sharp, R. F. Randolph, John Tibbets, Jun., Wesson Briggs, Benj. 
Pierce, Andrew O'Neil, Benjamin Stewart. 

Received in Assembly, February 9, 1801. Read and i-eferred to Mr. 
Shurtliff, Mr. Norton, Mr. Danforth. 

Lisbon was accordingly erected March 6, 1801, and the first town 
officers were as follows : 

Alexander J. Turner, supervisor; John Tibbets, clerk; John Tibbets, 
Jr., Benjamin Stewart, Joseph Edsall, Seth Raney, William Shaw, assess- 
ors; Calvin Hubbard, Jacob Redington, Benjamin Stewart, Wesson 
Briggs, Jacob Pohlman, commissioners of highways; Peter Sharp, Josef)h 
Furman, John Tliurber, constables; Peter Sharp, collector; Uri Barber, 
Benjamin Bartlett, John Lyon, poormasters; Samuel Allen, Benjamin 
Galloway, Wm. Shaw, Benjamin A. Stewart, Joseph Edsall, Reuben 
Fields, Adam Milyer, Joseph Thurber, pathmasters ; Uri Barber, George 
Hilman, John Tibbets, Jr., Asa Furman, JohiLiiharp, fence viewers; 
Benjamin Stewart, Reuben Fields, pound keepers ; Alexander J. Turner, 
John Tibbets, Jr., Benjamin A. Stewart, trustees for the glebe. 

Supervisors. — Most of the town election records previous to 1831, hav- 
ing been lost, the following imperfect list of supervisors is given as the 
best that could be obtained: 

1801, and for several years after, Alexander J. Turner; 1814-15, George 
C.Conant; 1816-17, James Thompson; 1818, Bishop Perkins; 1819-20, 
Robert Livingston; 1821-8, Wesson Briggs; 1829, John Thompson; 
1830-5, G. C. Conant; 1836, Joseph Chambers; 1837, G. C. Conant; 
1838-9, David C. Gray; 1840-1, Charles Norway; 1842, Wm. H. Rey- 
nolds; 1843, D. C. Gray; 1844, G^ C. Conant; 1845-9, Wm. Briggs; 
1850-1, Aaron Rolf; 1852, David G. Lyttle. 

The following return of electors was made in 1801, when this town 
embraced the present limits of the ten towns. The occurrence of the 
name of a firm on a poll list, is novel. Except the first two, who were 
reported worth a freehold of the value of £100 or upwards, the re- 
mainder were returned as renting real estate worth at least forty shillings 
per annum : 

Ogden & Ford, Elijah Carley, Steven Foot, David Race, Thomas 
Lee, Benjamin Willson, Kelsey Thurber, Jonathan Comstock, Wm. G. 
Peck, John Lyon, Jacob Pohlman, Benjamin Nickler, Major Watson, 
Seth Raiuey, Joseph Thurber, Jeduthan Barker, Adam Milyei*, Thomas 
J. Davies, Jonathan Ingraham, Daniel McNeal, John Smith. 



330 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Tibbets's tract of 9,600 acres, lying on the river St. Lawrence, and 
near its western border, was purchased by John Tibbets, of Troy, from 
Alexander Macomb, F3b. 22, 1789, for the sum of £860 New York cur- 
rency. In a mortgage bearing even date with the deed, it is stipulated 
concerning the interest : 

"That should it so happen, that the said John Tibbets, his heirs or 
assigns, should not have the peaceable possession or enjoyment of the 
said premises, or should he be disturbed or kept out of the possession 
thereof by any Indians, or by reason of any claim which the Indians 
may have thereto, then in such case the interest on the above mentioned 
sums to cease during such time as the said John Tibbets shall be kept 
out of the peaceable possession of the said premises according to the 
true intent and meaning of this instrument." 

The endorsements show that no interest was demanded on this mort- 
gage from 1791 to 1796 inclusive, for this reason. 

The author is indebted to Amos Bacon, Esq., of Ogdensburgh, with 
whom is the oi'iginal mortgage, for a knowledge of the above fact. 

The first white settler was Andrew O'Neal, from Canada, but origin- 
ally from Ireland, who crossed the St. Lawrence in 1799, and setded 
about two miles below the present village of Gallooville. The town 
was then being surveyed for the proprietors, by Reuben Sherwood, a 
Canadian. Amos Lay, Isaac Beach, and William Preston, at different 
times surveyed the town into farms. Tibbets's tract was principally 
surveyed by Daniel W. Church. O'Neil employed men from Canada to 
build him a house. Early in February, 1800, Alexander J. Turner, of 
Salem, Washington county, came into town by way of Lake Champlain, 
as agent for the proprietors, and located on an eminence half a mile west 
of the present mills, having taken up the first three river lots, joining 
Tibbets's tract. He continued as agent till 1805, when he was succeeded 
by Louis Hasbrouck, of Ogdensburgh. He died March, 1806. At his 
death he was a judge of the court of common pleas, and formed one of 
the bench at its first organization. Peter Sharp and Peter Hinion, Ger- 
mans, from Schoharie, came in 1800, took up farms and erected houses 
near the present mills. John Tibbets, of Troy, also came in and settled 
on his tract.* In 1801, Reuben Turner,t Wm. Shaw, Lemuel Hoskins, 
Wm. Lyttle, James Aikens, and Benjamin Steward, mostly from Vei*- 
mont, moved into the town. Matthew Perkins, from Becket, Mass., 
Wesson Briggs and Hezekiah Pierce, also came into town, and settled 
in the same year. The thi-ee latter were connected by marriage with 
the family of Tibbets. The first birth was in the family of J. Tibbets, in 
September, 1800. 

* Mr, Tibbets died in Detroit, September 23, 1S26, at the age of 53. 

t Mr. Turner was a soldier of the revolution, and died July, 1833, aged 92. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 331 

Many of the first settlers were from Washington county. In 1802, 
John,* Samuel, William, and James, sons of William Lyttle, Richard 

and John Flack, Crosset, Isaac and Elihu Gx-ay, John McCrea and 

sons, John Jr., Samuel and Alexander, and others; and during the years 
1803, '4, '5, and '6, a vei-y large numher arrived, among whom was 
Robert Livingston, who held the office of county judge from 1810 to 
1829, and from whom most of the above facts are derived. 

The first mill in Lisbon, was built for the proprietors in 1804, by D. 
W. Church, millwright. It had two run of rock stones and a saw mill, 
under the same roof, and from its being painted red, it long bore the 
name of the Red Mills, by which it is still often called by the old in- 
habitants, although the old mill has long since given place to the present 
substantial stone building on the Gallop rapid. The original mill was 
fifty by seventy feet, and three stories high. In 1803, Dr. Joseph W. 
Smith, the first regular physician in the county, settled and remained 
two years. 

In 1813, great numbers died of the epidemic which pervaded the 
country at that time, and Lisbon is said to have suffered more severely 
than any other town in the county. In 1816-7, was much sufiering from 
want of provisions, in consequence of short crops from cold summers. 
It is said that more corn was i-aised on the Gal^pp island, and in a field 
of eleven acres on Livingston's point, in 1816, than in all the rest of St, 
Lawrence county. Some local cause appears to have favored these 
localities, and the yield was bountiful. Common corn sold for $2'50 per 
bushel, and seed corn for $5, Potatoes were sold for $1 per bushel. 

An incident happened during the war, which excited much attention 
at the time, and may be deemed worthy of record. A company of some 
sixty dragoons had been stationed for some time in the fall of 1813, at 
the house of Peter Wells, four or five miles back from the river on the 
road to Canton. About thirteen of these had come to " the mills," and 
were stopping at an inn kept by one Scott. A sufficient guard of sen- 
tries was stationed around the house, but during the night a party of two 
hundred men from Canada, having landed at Tibbets's point about mid- 
night, surprised the sentinels and surrounded the house, where the dra- 
goons were supposed to be, but not until several of them had escaped. 
One named Smith was shot, and another one, Mercer, was wounded. 
The latter was brutally stabbed several times after resistance ceased, 

* Captain John Lyttle died in Lisbon, June 28) 1843, at the age of 64. He was a citizen of 
that town nearly forty years, and held several civil and military offices. During the war of 
1812-15, he held the office of captain of a rifle corps, and was in several of the battles on the 
western frontier. For more than twenty years he held the office of justice of the peace in the 
town of Lisbon, 



332 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and he was left for dead, but subsequently recovei'ed. Two dragoons, 
Scott and his son, and all of the horses that could be found, were taken 
to Canada. It is said that these dragoons made a very gallant resistance, 
and that it was found impossible to take Smith- and Mercer alive. The 
house where this affair took place is still standing. 

During the cholera panic of 1832, a board of health was formed; Dr. 
Wooster Carpenter appointed health officer, and the St. J^awrence, oppo- 
site the house of Obadiah Piatt, not less than 300 yards from the shore, 
assigned as a quarantine ground for crafts from Canada; but it is believed 
that these regulations were never, enforced. 

The Northern rail road passes nearly through the centre of the town, 
and on it is a depot fifty by one hundred feet, at which, however, but 
little business is done. There is a post office here, at Gallopville, and 
on the Ogdensburgh and Canton road, eight miles from the former place, 
which bear the names of Lisbon Centre, Lisbon, and Flackville. The 
latter received its name from John P. Flack, the first postmaster. 

An act Vt^as passed April 6, 1850, authorizing Henry Van Rensselaer, 
Esq., of Ogdensburgh, his heirs and assigns, to erect for hydraulic pur- 
poses, a dam from the south shore to Gallop island, a distance of about 
1,200 feet. A fall of from 6 to 8 feet would thus be obtained, and an 
amount of power almosjyincalculable, aflForded. The bottom of the river 
is rocky, and capable engineers have estimated the work practicable, at 
a cost of $50,C00. This being the foot of navigation for sail vessels on 
the lakes, would doubtless, were a dam built, and a branch to the rail 
road laid, give an importance to this point, as a manufacturing place, 
which has scarcely a parallel in the country. This channel is used but 
little, if any, by boats; and the navigation north of the island, would be 
improved by diverting more water into that channel, as would necessa- 
rily result in the erection of a dam. 

A circulating library was incorporated in this town March 11, 1828, 
with Wm. Marshall, Andrew O'Neil, Albert Tyler, John Glass, Joshua 
G. Pike, James Douglass, and James Moncrief, trustees. 

Keligious Societies. — This town was also the pioneer in the religious 
organizations, one having been formed by the Rev. Alexander Proud- 
foot, of Salem, who visited his old neighbors for the purpose. The Rev. 
Mr. Sberrifl^, a Scotchman, became their first pastor in 1804. The First 
Associate Reformed Congregation in Lisbon was incorporated Nov. 15, 
1802, with A. J. Turner, J. Tibbets, Jun., John Farewell, Wm. Shaw, 
Beuj. Stewart and Reuben Turner^ trustees. This was reorganized Feb. 
28, 1827, with Geo. C. Conaut, John Thompson and Joseph Martin, 
trustees. 

The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church of Lisbon, was 
incorporated April 25, 1822, with Daniel Aiken. Asa Baldwin, David 
Wells, Robert Briggs and Luke McCracken, trustees. It was reorganized 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 333 

April 3, 1847, with George Fulton, Joseph Langtree, David Aiken, Ste- 
phen Macliley and Isaac Storking, trustees. 

St. Luke's church, in the town of Lisbon, was formed Oct. 12, 1837, 
with Obadiah Piatt and Samuel Patterson, wardens; Jesse Piatt, Hugh 
Leach, Robert Leach. Henry Hunt, Simeon Dillingham, John Clarke, 
Wm. Spears and Dr. W. Cai-penter, vestrymen. 

The Reformed Presbyterian Church, in Lisbon, was formed June 28, 

1842, with John Middleton, Wm. Glass, John Smith, John Cole, John 
Campbell and James Valentine, trustees. 

The First Wesleyan Methodist Society, in the town of Lisbon, was 
formed Feb.' 14, 1843, with Joseph Piatt, David Aiken, Isaac Storms, 
Thomas Martin and John Martin, trustees. 

The First Congregational Society in Lisbon, was formed March 3, 

1843, with Wm. Briggs, John Dings, James Marth), Thomas McCarter, 
James Norway and Wm. H. Reynolds, trustees. A church had been 
formed Nov. 25, 1842, under Lewis Wickes, of Lewis county, and grew 
out of a revival arising during a protracted meeting held by him in that 
year. About 60 members united at first, and the present number is 80. 
The Rev. Wm. F. Buffettand Stephen Williams have been hired as min- 
isters, but the Rev. Morgan L. Eastman, the pastor since Feb. 8, 1849, is 
the only one regularly installed. A church was built in 1845, costinsf 
$1000. ^ 

Louisville. 
Erected from Massena, April 5, 1810, at first 10 miles square, but in 
1823 divided in the formation of Norfolk, and in 1844 increased by strip 
taken without the knowledge Vf the inhabitants from that town. The 
first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of John Wil- 
son ; the poor moneys were to be equitably divided and the act to take 
efiect Feb. 1, 1811. 

Supervisors. — The early records could not be fotmd. 1816-8, Elisha 
W. Barber; 1819, Christopher G. Stowe; 1820, Benjamin Raymond: 
1821, Timothy W. Osborne; 1822-3, C. G. Stowe; 1824, Samuel B. An- 
derson ; 1825-8, Wm. Bradford; 1829, Sept. 19— Gould to fill vacancy 
from B's death; 1829-33, Jube. E. Day; 1834, Allen McLeod, Jr.; 1835, 
J. E. Day; 1836, Allen McLeod; 1837-40, Samuel Bradford; 1841-2, 
JohnDoud; 1843, Thomas Bingham; 1844, S. Bradford ; 1845, T.Bing- 
ham ; 1846-7, Nathaniel D. Moore; 1848, John Gibson; 1848, March 25, 
Levi Miher, jr., to fill vacancy; 1849, Levi Miller, jr.; 1850-2, John 
Gibson. 

In December, 1811, at a special town meeting the legislature was pe- 
titioned to take sonje action by which the public lots might be sold or 
leased. 

In 1819 a wolf bounty of $10, and in 1821 a fox bounty of $1. 

1823, two notices for the division of the town given ; one of these 
was to have a town six miles ^quare from Lisbon, Madrid, Stockholm, 
and Potsdam, having the pi-esent village of Norfolk as its centre ; the 
other asking for the division of the town of Louisville, as was done by 
the legislature subsequently. 

In 1828, Samuel Stacey, Otis G. Hosman and Samuel Bradford, ap- 
pointed to wait upon the commissioners about to locate the court house, 
and re|)r8sent the interests of the town. 

In 1849, " resolved that the notice given for annexing a part of Louis- 
ville to Massena be laid under the table." 



834 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

In April, 1800, Nahum Wilson, the first settler in Louisville, arrivetl 
Avith his family. He was originally from Peru, N. Y., but had resided a 
year in Canada, and was accompanied by Aaron Allen, and two sons, 
but did not move in his family until the following winter. These two 
pioneers took up each a farm, and commenced clearing immediately. A 
crop of corn was raised, and in the fiill they sowed wheat. Great num- 
bers were in town looking for land, but no one else formed a settlement 
during the first year. The next settler was John Wilson, who came 
from Vermont in the spring of 1801, and he Was soon succeeded by Ly- 
man Bostwick, Elisha W. Barber, Esq., and several brothers. Griffin 
riace, and others. The earliest settlement at Louisville Landing, was 
made about 1806, by Shirley, from New Hampshire. About this time 
the settleineut began to increase quite rapidly, and continued until 
checked by the approach of war. The first birth in town was the son of 
Naham Wilson ; the first death that of Philo Barber, in 1801 or '2 
Elisha Barber taught the first school in 1808 or '9. In 1805, Asa Day 
erected a mill on Grass rivei-, a mile below the present village of Miller- 
ville. On the approach of war many went off and never returned. Re- 
ligious meetings were held at an early day by ministers from Canada 
Nahum Wilson kept the first public house. 

The following incident was an important event in little settlement: 

On the 6th of January, 1806, four persons (Dr. Barber and Mr. Chap- 
man, from Madrid, iMr. Alexander and Mr. Powell, of Louisville), were 
accidentally drowned, while crossing the St. Lawrence, about opposite 
the centre of tlie town. They had been over to Canada, where they 
were detained by the roughness of the river, occasioned by a strong east 
wind, which always produces a swell, from its encountering the current. 
Towards night, the wind having abated, they attempted to cross in a log 
canoe, but their boat capsized, and two of their number are supposed to 
Ijave drowned immediately. The other two chuig to their boat, and 
endeavored, by cries, to obtain assistance. These cries were heard on 
both shores of the river, and to a great distance below, as they floated 
down; but no one paid any particular attention to them, not realizing 
that they proceeded from persons in distress, and they all perished. 
Three of the bodies were found several miles JDelow; but the fourth at 
a great distance below, among the islands. A large dog who was abBaad 
had been bound to keep him quiet, and is supposed to have overturned 
them. This sad accident spread a gloom through the setdemeiits, and 
was a cause of unavailing regret to those who had heard the cries, with- 
out hastening to their assistance. No blame was attached to any one, 
and the darkness of the night, and roughness of the river, were such, 
that aid could scarcely have been afforded, had the situation of the suf- 
ferers been appreciated. A touching incident that occurred on the 
morning of the day on which the accident happened, was rendered 
peculiarly affecting by the fatal event. As one of the number was about 
leaving home, a little daughter, who evinced great fondness for her 
father, came to him in a manner unusually affectionate, tenderly em- 
braced and kissed him, and exacted of him a promise, that he would 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. .335 

cerfaiulj' Return before night. She seemed to have nn instinctive for- 
hoding of evil ; and by the artless innocence of childlike entreaty, en- 
deavored to prevent it. 

The early settlers of Louisville, in an especial manner, were indebted 
to their Canadian neighbors for many kindnesses, which relieved them 
from those extremities that settlers of other towns, less favorably situ- 
ated, endured. The St. Lawrence can here be crossed at most seasons 
in safety. Mills existed at various points along the north shore ; and the 
inhabitants, mostly of German descent, who had been driven from the 
Schoharie and Mohawk settlements, for their adherence to the king's 
interest, in the revolutionary war, had already, in their own sufferings 
for want of that assistance which maybe derived from neighbors, forget- 
ing the bitterness of former times, in their anxiety for better. Previous 
to the declaration of war, the most friendly relations existed ; families 
exchanged visits with as much freedom and frequency, as if the river 
was but a common street; and they were constantly in the habit of 
borrowing and lending those articles which their limited means did 
not allow each one to possess. The war, for a season, made each sus- 
picious of the other, and entirely stopped all intercourse for a time ; 
but necessity ere long led them to look back with regret on the customs 
of former times, and secretly long for their return. Dming the first 
summer of the war, many of the Canadian men were called off to per- 
form military duty, and labor on the fortifications at Prescott, and their 
families were left to provide for themselves as they might best be able. 
Provisions became scarce, and want stared them in the face. Pressed 
with hunger, the children of one of their families, remembering the 
homely but wholesome fare which they had formerly observed on the 
south shore, one night entered a boat, and being skilful in its use, crossed 
over, and humbly begged at the door of a house, at which they were 
acquainted, for food. The family were overjoyed at the visit, and on 
their return, they sent back an invitation for their parents to come over 
on a certain night, and renew their old acquaintance. They did so, and 
never were people more delighted than these, when they met, exchanged 
salutations, and learned, by those expressions that come from the heart, 
that although the two governments had declared them enemies, they 
were si\\\ friends. The livelong night was spent in agreeable festivities; 
and with the approach of dawn, they returned. 

News of this was confidentially spread, and these midnight visits 
became common ; being at first strictly secret and confidential, but to- 
wards the close'of the war, quite open, and performed by daylight. One 
loyalist, however, who felt the spirit of the olden time return, when 
called upon to sustain the interest of his king, although a very kind 



336 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

hearted man, and strongly attached by the ties of friendship, to his 
American neiglibors, sternly refused all renewal of acquaintance, from 
a sense of duty, and discountenanced it among his neighbors. One 
evening an inhabitant of the south shoi*e resolved to attempt to conquer 
this spirit by kindness, and boldly visited his house, as had been his 
former custom. Finding him absent, he followed him to a neighbor's, 
and warmly saluted him with a cordial grasp of the hand, and friendly 
chiding, for so long and so obstinately withstanding the claims of neigh- 
borship. This appeal to the heart, outweighed the decision of the head, 
and the salutation was, after a moment's hesitation, returned with a 
cordiality that showed him sensible of the tr^ith, that man is by nature a 
social being, and intended to live by the side of neighbors. Peace was 
thus declared along this frontier, long before the fact was established by 
diplomatists, or published by the proclamation of the president. ^ 

Early in the summer. of 1812, the inhabitants of Louisville, for their 
own protection, organized a volunteer company of about forty men, who 
constituted the male population of the town, capable of bearing arms. 
They elected Benjamin Daniels, one of their number, " high sergeant," 
whom they agreed to obey, in all matters touching the common interest. 
Soon after their organization, they received orders from General Brown, 
at Ogdensburgh, to bring to all crafts passing the river. In pursuance 
of these instructions, they, on one occasion, hailed and brought in a 
raft, and found in the cabin a large amount of valuable groceries, &c. 
the greater part of which was forwarded to the collector of the district. 
During the summer, a regular company of militia was formed, with 
Benjamin Willard, captain, which drew arms from the arsenal at Rus- 
sell, and was kept in service from August till November. They were 
ordered to allow Indians to pafes, but to stop all other crafts, and learn 
their business. At times, they had rumors of hostile visits from the 
north shore ; but they were not executed. 

The first death penalty inflicted in St. Lawrence county, under its 
present organization, was upon the pei-son of Louis Gerteau, who was 
jniblicly executed in Ogdensburgh, on the 12th of July, in 1816, for the 
murder of three persons in Louisville, about a mile from Massena village 
22d of February, 1816. The circumstances were briefly these: Michael' 
Scarborough, of this town, being engaged in lumbering, had gone away 
on business, leaving his wife and two children, one of them an infant, 
and a French lad about 14 or 15, named Macue, to look after his aflfairs 
in his absence. The latter was brother-in-law of the murderer, who 
was well acquainted with the family, and the premises, and. at the time 
was living a neighbor. Mr. S. had incautiously displayed a large sum 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 337 

of Vnoney, which Gerteau supposed was in the house, and for obtaining 
this, he dehberately laid his plans. 

On the night before the murder, he slept in the barn, and at dawn 
arose, and taking with him a sycthe, repaired to the house, which he 
entered, but finding an axe, he exchanged for this weapon, and cautiously 
entered the room, where his brother-in-law was sleeping in a bed upon 
the floor. He passed through this, to the bedroom where Mrs. Scar- 
borough and her two children were asleep, and took up the money he 
was after, from its place in the corner of a drawer. With this he might 
have made his escape unobserved ; but fearing detection, laid it down, 
raised his weapon, and with a blow nearly severed the neck of the 
woman. He then turned, and dispatched the lad with two blows, and 
the infant child, and wounded the other, seized the money, amounting 
in small change to about $22, which had incited him to the crime, fast- 
ened the door of the house and fled, having first feasted himself upon 
cakes and sweetmeats. By a circuitous route, he avoided the houses in 
Massena village, and gained the road towards St. Regis. About sunrise, 
some neighboi's, having occasion to visit the house, were surprised to find 
it fastened, and a track in the new snow from it, and observing, through 
the window, the corpse of one of the victims, the door was forced open, 
and the alarm of the murder instandy spread. Tiie ruffian was over- 
taken about two miles from St. Regis, and on being taken to the scene 
of his slaughter, he acknowledged the crime, and related the details of 
the shocking barbarity. It appeared that he had not traveled more than 
two miles an hour, after the murder, and had endeavored to rub out the 
stains of blood from his hat and coat. 

He was tried at the circuit court, and court of oyer and terminer, at 
Ogdensburgh, in July, 1816. William Van Ness, Esq., one of the justice 
of the supreme court, presiding; Nathan Ford being first judge, Russell 
Attwater and Robert Livingston, judges; Caleb Hough and Jason Fen- 
ton, assistant justices. The grand jury presented three separate indict- 
ments, on the first day of their session, and upon being arraigned he 
pleaded, not guilty, to each. The names of the murdered persons as 
named in the indictments were, Maria Scarborough, Jean Baptiste 
Macue, and Adaline Scarborough. The records of the court contain the 
following entry of his sentence. (July 3, 1816.) 

" Louis Couard, otherwise called Louis Gerteau, otherwise called 
Jean Baptiste Gerteau, for the murder of Maria Scarborough, whereof 
he was convicted, was called to the bar, and the court sentenced that he 
be taken to the place from whence he came, and from thence to the 
place of execution, and that on Friday, the twelfth instant, between the 
hours of one and three, to be hung by the neck until he is dead, and 



338 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

may God have mercy on his soul ; and further, that his body be delivered 
to the medical society of this county, to be delivered to some person 
authorized to receive it." 

Tiie sentence was duly executed, in the presence of an immense 
crowd, who assembled to witness the punishment of a crime which has 
had but few parallels in our country. 

The post office of Louisville is located at a small village on Grass 
river, near the centre of the town, which has acquired the name of 
Millerville, from the founder. A small clearing had been made at this 
place, by Oliver Ames, previous to 1823. In Mai-ch, of that year, the 
Rev. Levi Miller, from Turin, Lewis county, a native of Wooster, and 
afterwards a resident of Chester, Mass., came on as an agent for James 
McVicker. A saw mill had been commenced in 1820, for the proprietor, 
but was not finished. A bridge had been built across Grass river at 
this place about the year 1820. In 1837, a grist mill was built by George 
Redington having two run of stones which has since been enlarged, and 
two other run added. Besides these mills, the place at present contains 
a tannery, clothing works, trip hammer &c., in which water power is used, 
a hotel, store and several mechanics. The Methodist Episcopal de- 
nomination had an organized church as early as 1820, but did not form 
a society imtil 1839, when the First Methodist Episcopal Society of the 
town of Louisville was formed, and the following trustees elected, June 
3; Levi JMiller, Levi Miller, Jun., Israel G. Stone, John Power and John 
Doud. 

In June, 1841, the number of trustees of the society, was increased 
from five to nine, in accordance with the recommendation of the disci- 
pline of that denomination. A church edifice was built in 1849, the 
basement being for a town hall. A melancholy accident occuiTed at this 
place in the spring of 1823, in which two young men who were crossing 
the river in a canoe, were carried over the dam and drowned. The 
water being in its spring flood, their bodies were not found for several 
weeks. The post office of Louisville was first located on the St. Law- 
rence, but about 1827, it was removed to the Grass river, where it has 
since been kept. A post office has since been formed at Louisville 
landing. In 1832, a board of health was organized who appointed Dr. 
Ira Gibson, health officer, and designated the shore of the St. Lawrence, 
between Robert Crawford's and Allen McLeod's farms, as quarantine 
grounds. The difficulties at times attending the navigation of i-afts, and 
the space they occupy rendered a somewhat extended location necessary. 
The quarantine regulations were not enforced, for the intercourse with 
Canada stopped of its own accord. The alarm passed off in a few weeks. 
About ten cases of cholera occurred in town of which one was fatal. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 339 

/ 

Opposite the lower part of Louisville is an island of some two thousand 
acres, known on Burr's map, as the Upper Long Saut island, but better 
known among the inhabitants, as Baxter's island, Stacy's island, and 
Croil's island, from the names of successive owners. The French named 
it. Isle au Chamailles; and the Indians, Tsi-io-wen-o-kwa-ka-ra-te, or 
High island. Like Barnhart's islan I, it was at its settlement considered 
a part of Canada, but in running the boundary in 1818, it was assigned 
to the state of New Yoi-k. The deepest channel being north of the 
island, indicated the propriety of this according to the terms of the 
treaty. 

Macomb, 

Was organized from Morristown and Gouverneur, April 30, 1841, and 
made to include the district in the former, south of Black lake, and in 
the latter, north of Beaver ci*eek, from the line of DeKalb to the Ogdeu 
tract which it followed to the Oswegatchie, and thence up that river to 
Rossie. A small tract south of the lake was still left in Hammond, 
which on the 11th of Api-il, 1842, was attached to Macomb. The town 
derives its name from the proprietor, who was by birth an Irishman, and 
for many years a merchant in New York. 

It has been said, that coming events cast their shadows before them, 
and this proverb was verified in the formation of this town. The 
inhabitants of those portions of Morristown, and Gouverneur, between 
Black lake and Beaver creek, having long felt the inconvenience of their 
seclusion from the places of holding town meetings; several years before 
they were organized into a town, began to importune for a separate 
town. In 1837, the inhabitants of Morristown, expressed their willing- 
ness for this, whenever those iii the south of the lake should agree upon 
the measure. Similar resolutions were passed by Gouverneur. In the 
town meeting of Morristown in 1841, on the subject of setting off a new 
town on the southerly side of Black lake, it was resolved: 

" That all those electors residing on the northerly side of Black lake, 
do now withdraw from the room, in order to obtain the voice of those 
on the southerly side; which being done, it was on motion, resolved, 
(with only one dissenting voice), that, that part of the town of Morris- 
town which lies on the southerly side of Black lake, be set off by itself, 
a new town. The whole of the electors were then called in, and being 
all present, this resolution was again passed." 

The first town meeting was held. in pursuance of statute at the house 
of David Day, 2d. 

Supervisors.— I'dil-'i, David Day, 2d; 1843, John Parker; 1844-6 
Enoch Taylor; 1847-50, Wm. Houghton; 1851-2, David Day, 2d. 
The first settler in the limits of this town, was Samuel Bristol, who 
22 



340 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

located on the place now owned by Robert Wilson. He first made a 
stand at De Peyster, and was among the very first settlers of that place. 
Captain Ruftis Washburn, formerly of Connecticut, but then from Exter, 
Otsego county, came into the town when almost entirely new. He lived 
the first summer at Ogdensburgh, and afterwards for five years at De 
Peyster. He was a blacksmith, and kept a public house for many years 
on the place now owned by Wm. Houghton. Samuel Wilson, E. Wil- 
son and Samuel Peck, were early settlers. The improvements of this 
town were for many years limited to a small neighborhood on the State 
road, and schools were neglected till 1818. Capt. Washburn was drowned 
in the Oswegatchie while returning from a town meeting in Gouverneur 
village, on the 28th of April, 1817. 

Pope's Mills is a small settlement on Fish creek, two miles from Black 
lake, to which it is navigable. It owes its origin and name to Timothy 
Pope, who moved from Oswegatchie to this place in 1816, and erected 
mills. He was originally from Otsego county, and settled in Oswegatchie 
in 1804. He was killed Nov. 7. 1835, with one Shaw, by the burst- 
ing of a defective millstone. A considerable portion of this town is still 
but thinly settled ; but the greater part is susceptible of profitable culti- 
vation, and it is without doubt destined to be a mining district of much 
importance. The Wesleyan and Episcopal Methodists have each an oi*- 
ganization in town. 

About 1836, a vein of lead, zinc-blende, and calcareous spar, was dis- 
covered near the shore of Black lake, at a place named Mineral Point, 
and somewhat extensive mining operations were commenced. A com- 
pany styled the Morris Mining Company, was incorporated May 1, 1839, 
with James Averell, David C. Judson, Sylvester Gilbert, John W. Grant, 
Lewis Moss, Thomas L. Knapp and P^dwin Dodge, trustees, for the pur- 
pose of mining in Morristown and Oswegatchie. To continue 25 years ; 
capital $50,000, in shares of $100 each, and to be managed by seven di- 
rectors. 

About 1836, a vein containing galena was discovered on the land of 
Robert Wilson, near the Old State road ; a company formed, and a shaft 
sunk to the depth of about 60 feet. A few years after, lead ore was dis- 
covered on the same range, near the road leading from the Washburn 
settlement to Gouverneur, and in 1850 small mining operations had been 
commenced, when in 1851 the right was purchased by parties in New 
York, and a company formed styled thte St. Lawrence Mining Company, 
who became incorporated under the general mining law of Feb. 17, 1848. 
The articles of association were filed Sept, 16, 1851, in the clerk's office , 
and name Thomas Addis Emmet, Stephen Crocker and John L. Grata- 
cat, ti-ustees; capital $72,000 in shares of $2 each. Duration limited to 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 341 

50 years. At a meeting of the stockholders in New York, Maj' 17, 1852 
the capital of the company was increased to $360,000. Extensive mijiing 
operations were commenced late in 1 851, and are believed to be still con- 
tinued. A furnace for reducing lead was erected, and a considerable 
amount of lead has been sent to market. 

Madrid. 

This was one of the four towns formed by the act incorporating the 
county, Marcli 3, 1802, and at first embraced also the township of Pots- 
dam. Since 1810, it has been of its present limits. In 1837 an effort 
was made to procure a new town from parts of Madrid, Lisbon, Canton 
and Potsdam, with Columbia village for its centre, but it was opposed by 
the other towns, and failed. 

The first town officers in Madrid, were Joseph Edsall, supervisor; 
Jacob Red i gto n, c/er/c; Cyrus Abernethy, Reuben Field, Alex. Brush, 
Henry Ervvin, assessors; Henry Erwin, constable and collector ; Jonathan 
Tuttle, Solomon Linsley, overseers of the poor; John Sharp, Isaac Bartho- 
lomew, Efjliriara S. Raymond, commissioners of highivays ; Asa Freeman, 
Jonathan Allen, Cyrus Abernethy, /ence viewers; Edward Lawrence, 
pound keeper; Jonathan Allen, Alexander Brush, Thomas Rutherford, 
Oliver Linsley Solomon Linsley, oj^erseers of highways. 

Supervisors.— 1802-5, Joseph Edsall; 1806-7, Asa Freeman; 1808, Alex. 
Richards; 1809, Asa Freeman; 1810-12, Joseph Freeman; I8I3, Wm. 
Meach; 1814-15, J. Freeman; 1816-22, Jason Fenton; 1823-28, J. Free- 
man; 1829-32, J. S. Chipnian; 1833-6, Geo. Redingtou; 1838, R. Blood; 
1839, Walter Wilson; 1840, G. Redington; 1841-2, Alfred Goss; 1843-4, 
A. T. Montgomery; 1845-6, T. Sears; 1847-8, A. T. Montgomery ; 1849-50, 
Jesse Cogswell; 1851, Richard Edsall ; 1852, Francis Fenton. 

$5 bounty offered for wolves, in 1803, (excepting the township of Pots- 
dam) and 1804. In 1806, $10 bounty lor wolves. 

This town began to settle along the St. Lawrence, about 1793, and the 
following names from the land books, give the dates of purchases, although 
not of location : 

In May, 1798, John Sharp, Barton Edsall; m June, 1800, John Tuttle, 
Benjamin Bartlett, Godfrey Myers, Benjamin Campbell, Elias Dimick, 
Reuben Fields, Asa Freeman, Samuel Allen, Edward Lawrence, Asa 
and Jason Fenton, Alexander Brush, James Kilborn, Jacob Carnes, Allen 
Patterson, Jacob Redington, Robert Sample, Caleb and Cornelius Peck, 
Henry Allen, Wm. Osburne, Ira Paine, Oliver Linsley, Joseph Orcutt and 
Henry and .Joseph Erwin. 

In 1801, Isaac Bartholomew, Simon Linsley; in 1802, Allen Barber, 
Nathan Smith, Aaron Scott, Martin Rosenberg, John Allen, Geo. Ruther- 
ford, Thomas Andrews, Walter and Richard Rutherford, (brothers,) and 
many others, mostly from New England, who came through from Cha- 
teaugay, by way of Moria and Stockholm. In 1803, Samuel Chipman, 
from Vergennes, Vt., and others. 

The first agent was Joseph Edsall, who was a native of Vernon, Sus- 
sex county, N. J., and died in Madrid, in 1844, aged 81. He received 



342 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

his agency June 8, 1798, and was instructed to sell river lots at $2*50, and 
rear lots at $2 per acre. A portion of the former were reserved that the 
owners might have the benefit of their rise in value. One fourth was to 
be paid down, and the rest in three equal payments. 

The village of Waddington, is named from Joshua Waddington, of N. 
York, who was a joint proprietor with D. A. and T. L.Ogden,inthetown 
of Madrid, at an early day. It was originally called Hamilton, from Alex. 
Hamilton, the celebrated lawyer and statesman, who had been associated 
in business with the Ogden brothers, and the post office originally bore 
this name. It was, by a vote of the town meeting of 1818 (March 3), 
changed to its present name, and the post office was soon after altered to 
correspond with it. 

In official papers relating to the war, and in statute laws passed in early 
times, the name of Hamilton is often used. A grist and saw mill were 
erected here in 1803-4, The island opposite, the mills, water privilege, 
land in the bed of the river, and 1,135 acres, comprising the shore oppo- 
site the island, and extending one mile back, was in 1811, conveyed by 
T. L. Ogden and J. Waddington, to D. A. Ogden. This tract embraced 
the whole of the present village. The rapids on the north side of the 
island, is called the Rapide plat, and extends its whole length, a distance 
of three miles, and has a fall of eleven feet. On the south side, this fall 
was originally gained in a distance of fifty rods, constituting a wild and 
dangerous cascade, which the French voyageurs called La Petit Sauts. 
The principal fall was near thelower ledge of limestone, near the present 
dam, and had a height of about eight feet. The dam has destroyed the 
romantic scenery of the place, and made a basin of still water, the spot 
which was once a rapid. The primitive scenery of this romanic spot is 
described as having been one of unrivaled beauty and interest. The water, 
by flowing down the smooth declivity of rock, acquired an immense ve- 
locity on reaching the abrupt fall, where, striking thebottom, it rebounded 
with an immense surge, which threw back so large a volume of water as 
to make a strong upward current along the shore. 

Fish abound in the waters, and the wild fowl and deer appeared to 
have chosen this spot as a resort. As a natural consequence, the rude 
Indian here found his favorite employment of hunting and fishing; there 
are those of the St. Regis tribe still living, who remember with regret, 
the peculiar advantages for their pursuits, which thelocality afforded, and 
a few of the race annually visit the island, and camp in the woods near 
its head. The island was once covered by a pine forest, and large quan- 
tities of valuable timber having been cut in early times, under the direc- 
tion of the St. Regis Indians. Mr. Joseph Edsall, agent for the town, 
forbid them to take it away. The Indians appeared to be anxious to settle 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 343 

the matter amicably, and accordingly in May, 1803, an instrument was 
drawn up between the agent and William Gray, Louis Cooke and Loren 
Tarbell, trustees of the Indians, by which Edsall was to be allowed to 
remove the tifuber then doivn, and to pay 60 cents for every tree, if the 
title to the island then in i»rocess of investigation, should be decided as 
belonging to the proprietors of Madrid. In hopes of establishing a, com- 
mercial and manufacturing interest at this point, the proprietors under- 
took the expensive task of building a stone dam across the southern 
branch of the St. Lawrence, which at the same time, should make it na- 
vigable, by having in it a lock, and create a water power of unlimited 
extent. An act authorizing this, was passed in 1808, and allowed the 
taking of toll upon vessels passing, at the rate of twenty-five cents per 
ton for large boats, and double that rate for all boats under two tons. The 
locks were to be fifty feet by ten, and allow of a draft of two feet. These 
improvements were to be completed within three years. A wooden lock 
was first attempted, but before done its foundation was undetermined, 
and it was abandoned. In 1811 and 1815, the act was extended, and 
finally a stone lock was built in the line of the store dam, which proved 
of little or no use, as its dimensions only allowed the passage of Durham 
boats. The era of steam boats followed, and the Canadian governmerU 
assumed the task of locking and canaling around the principal rapids. 
An effort was made to secure the advantages of this trade, by digging a 
canal across to Grass river, but never carried out. An account of this 
will be given in its proper placet 

In 1832 the connection between the lock and island shore, gave way, 
being but imperfectly secured, and caused a considerable break in the 
dam. To repair this and afford a work which in future should give con- 
trol to the water in the south channel, the bridge above was filled in 
with stone, leaving openings through which boats could be admitted, and 
which when closed, should stop all water from passing. By this means 
the water can at any time be drawn off below, and repairs made at but 
small expense. A canal runs from the dam parallel with the river, in 
front of the village, which affords, in connection with the conveniences 
above mentioned, facilities of great importance. Floods or drought are 
here unknown, and the supply of water for hydraulic purposes, has no 
limits which will ever be reached. There are here a large stone flouring 
mill, built in 1832-33, and grist mill, woolen and carding shop, furnace 
and machine shop, trip hammer, saw mill, shingle, sash and stave ma- 
chines, paper mill, and other machinery. The manufacture of water 
lime, has been carried on to a limited extent, and rather as an experiment, 
at the village of Waddington. The stone from which it was made, is 



344 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

said to liave been derived from the drift formation which constitutes the 
island, and the supply must therefore be precarious and Hmited. 

Waddington was incorporated April 26, 1839. 

Mr. Spaffbrd, in his Gazetteer of 1813, states that Hamilton then con- 
tained 135 houses, 2 saw mills, 1 grist mill, a fulling mill, trip hammer, 
&c. ; and the site of an academy then building. The site is still probably 
there, but no building was ever erected or begun. At that period the 
want of an academy began to be felt; and this place, Ogdensburgh, and 
Potsdam, each wished to secure it ; but while Mr. Ogden and others were 
waiting till the country should become stronger, Judge Raymond and 
his friends were exerting every effort, and succeeded in founding St* 
Lawrence Academy at Potsdam. The work above quoted, adds : 

"Madrid was owned by J. Waddington, D. A. and T, L. Ogden, 
Esquires, of New York; men (say the inhabitants), of benevolent dispo- 
sitions and well calculated to settle a new country, and who have used 
every possible means to promote the interest and prosperity of the set- 
tlers. The whole number of electors exceeded 200, and the probable 
population 6 or 700. There are 5 grist mills, 7 saw mills, several carding 
machines, fulling mills, tanneries, and one trip hammer, and a conve- 
nient number of mechanics. There are one Congregational and one 
Baptist society, but no settled ministers." 

A furnace was built by the Ogdens at Waddington in 1834. It was 
what is termed by iron founders a quarter furnace, with one tewel and 
a cold blast. It was 26 feet square on the ground, 28 feet high, and run 
upon bog ore alone. The building, which was of brick, inclosed two 
stacks or separate furnacees, of which the latter was got in operation in 
1836, and was used but in one blast. In 1840, the furnace was stopped, 
and has not since been worked. A portion of the iron made here was 
made into castings upon the premises, and the remainder sold as pig 
iron. The ore was got in swamps in the town, and made very good iron. 
Much of it was washed previous to using. It cost about $3 per ton de- 
livered at the furnace. The inside diameter of the furnace was 6 feet 
10 inches. 

" The ore," according to Professor Beck, was " procured near Grass 
river, two and a half miles from Columbia village, and seven from Wad- 
dington. There were three varieties of the ore, viz: one large lumps, 
called pan ore, another in small masses more or less rounded, called shot 
ore, and lastly an ochery one called loam ore. All of these w-ere of a red- 
dish yellow color when reduced to powder, and by calcination lost from 
18 to 20-5 per cent in weight, and became black and magnetic. An 
analysis yielded 71 per cent of the peroxyde of iron, 8-50 per cent of 
silica and alumina, and 20-50 per cent of water. The proportion of 
metalic iron was 49*23 per cent, although this variety of ore seldom 
yields in the large way more than 25 per cent." 

(See Geological Report, 1837, p. 41.; 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 345 

The first mills at Columbia village, were erected by Seth Roberts in 
the summer and fall of 1803, and from him it was often called Roberts's 
mills. It was also called Grass River falls, at an early day. Meetings 
were first held in the mill, and in 1803 the first school was taught in 
town by Dorothy Fields. 

On the 4th of March, 1806, the dwelling of Uel Gray, which stood 
about three-fourths of a mile southwest from the present village of 
Madrid, was burned ; and two children, of five and seven years of age, 
pex-ished miserably in the flames. 

On the 9th of April, 1818, six men were drowned in Columbia village 
by being carried over the dam in a boat, and although within sight of 
many, no relief could be extended. Their names were Asa Lord, 
Abraham and Joseph Loomis, Ezra Bigelow, Asa Dagett, and Leonard 
Reed. 

The following statistics were collected by Mr. E. A. Dayton : 

" Columbia village, on both banks of Grass river, but mostly on the 
west side, and one mile from the Canton and Madrid depot, had in the 
fall of 1852, 2 taverns, 6 stores, I di-ug store, 4 groceries, 1 book store, 2 
shoe stores, 2 tin shops, 1 tannery and shoe shop, 1 grist mill, 1 saw and 
shingle mill, 1 furnace, 2 wagon and sleigh shops with water power, 1 
chair factory and cabinet shop with water power, and 2 cabinet shops 
without, 1 woolen factory and carding mill, 1 jeweler, 3 blacksmith shops, 
1 marble shop, and 2 harness shops. It has 3 lawyers and 4 physi- 
cians, a Congregational, Methodist, Baptist and Universalist chui-ch, each 
except the Methodist having a settled minister, except the second who 
have preaching on alternate sabbaths. It had 2 district schools and 1 
select school. At the depot was 2 taverns, 1 blacksmith shop and 10 
dwelling houses." 

By a law of March 30, 1821, three trustees were to be annually chosen, 
to have charge of the public lands in town. They were not allowed to 
sell them on a shorter credit than ten years, or to receive more than a 
quarter of the purchase money at time of sale. Moneys thus arising 
were to be loaned on good securities xipon lands to double the amount. 
Half the revenue was to be paid to the school commissioners for the 
several school districts, in the same proportion as the state moneys were 
distributed, and the other half was to be equally distributed among the 
several religious societies in town. These trustees of lands were to hold 
their offices until successors were elected. 

Two library associations have formerly existed in town, both of which 
were incorporated; that at Columbia village, Jan. 10, 1821, with Charles 
Pitts, Abner Parmalee, David Holbrook, Anson Hall, and Justin Spar- 
hawk; and that of Waddington, with Gouverneur and William Ogden, 
Nathaniel Tagert, Jas. L. Thayer, Robert W. Brigham, Thomas Ruther- 
ford, Jr., and John S. Chapman, trustees. May 10, 1831. 

Religious Societies.— The Congregational church of Christ, was formed 



346 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

under the Rev. Amos Pettenofill, 17th Feb. 1807, of 10 members. In 
March they were visited by Mr. Hubbard, of Vermont, a missionary, and 
letters of thanks were voted to the two societies, who had sent tnission- 
aries to them. In 1809, the Rev. Chauncey Cook, was hired, in 1811, 
Rev. Jolm VVincliester hired for three years on a salary of $91 in cash, 
and $273 in wjieat, at the going price. In 1815, and in 18:22, revivals. 
In 1817, Royal Phel[)s employed, and in 1821 Oliver Eastman. In 1824, 
members pledged the crops on certain pieces of land, be the same more 
or less, for the sup[)ort of the gospel. These were half an acre of corn; 
ten rods of corn, &c., &c. One subscrij)tion was "a place for onions." 
In 1829, an attempt was made to pass a total abstinence vote, but with- 
out success; but ten members then signed a pledge, which was the first 
tempeVance movement in town. The Rev. Joseph Hurlbut, employed 
in 1829, and James Taylor in 1833. In 1840, S. M. Wood, was ordained 
pastor (Dec. 9), and in 1841, there were large accessions to the church, 
from meetings held by the Rev. J. Bnrchard, and in 1844, from the 
labors ot A. Wicks. In 1849, the Rev. B. B. Parsons was employed, 
and in Jan. 15, 1850, was installed pastor. The society of this church 
was formed May 8, 1820, with Salmon Gray, A. Packard, Sen., Stephen 
Goodman, Charles McFarlan, Wm. Powell, and Abner Parmalee, trustees. 

In 1825-6, the present stone church was built, thirty by forty i'eet, at a 
cost of $4000, under the direction of Wm. Powell, Thomas VVright, and 
Hiram SafFord. The numbers received by this church up to the tall of 
1852, 350. Present number 185. In 1850, a bell costing $300 was 
bought by general subscription and placed in the stone church. 

The Second Congregational Society in town (at Waddington) was in- 
corporated Dec. 29, 1828, with Samuel H. Dearborn, Benjamin W. Jack- 
son, and Lorenzo Sheldon, trustees. On the 5th of Oct., 1841, it was 
reorganized, and in 1844 a church was began, and in 1848 finished. 

The Baptist church of Madrid was formed Sept. 7, 1808, of ten mem- 
bers, unc'er the Rev. Samuel Rowley, a missionary from the Vermont 
Baptist Association. In 1810-11, there was quite a revival. In 1818, 
Samuel Johnson was hired as a preacher one fourth of the time. In 
1825, Elder Rhodes hired half of the time, and was succeeded by Elder 
Safford. In 1829, the hand of fellowship withheld from free masons. 
In the same year Elder Pi-att was employed. Elder Dodge, Peck, Scott. 

Lyle, R. S. Palmer, O. W. Moxley, Daniel Sabin, Kyle, T. M. Bea- 

man, and H. S. P. Warren, have since preached here. A society was 
formed July 11, 1836, with John S. Whitney, James Simons, Simon S, 
Clark, James Murphy, Arad Peck, Harvey Linsley, and Euos C. East- 
man, trustees. A church was built in 1836. The number belonging to 
this church in Nov. 1822, was 126. 

The Fh-st Universalist Society of Madrid, was formed in 1814, by a 
few early settlers. The first minister was John Foster, who in that 
year commenced his labors, and remained two years. He was succeeded 
by the Rev. Jonathan Wallace, from Jericho, Vermont, was supported as 
their pastor for about half of the time for thirteen years. On the 31st 
of March, 1841, a society was incorporated, having Hiram Winslow, 
Wm. McEwen and Luther Abernethy, its first trustees. This society at 
first consisted of 107 members, and in 1842 a church edifice was built 
in Columbia village, at a cost of $3000. The Rev. Messrs. D. Mott, and 
J. Baker, of St. Albans, Vt., and in Jan. 1850, Rev. J. W. Bailey, from 
Wilmington, Vt., the present pastor, were employed . In 1852 a church or- 
ganization, with 48 member was formed. The St. Lawrence Associa- 
tion in 1836, 1842, 1848 and 1852, held their sessions here. 

The society owns a parsonage, and is said to be increasing in numbers. 



IT, 



?2 § [F ::b: 0? lE ra © § © 



TO THE .MAP OF 



COLUMBIA VILLAGE. 



('on);i't\««tioual (;liinv,li, '2 sIhhIs. 

I^niversallst " 4 

MctliuiUst 

Baptist Cliurcli, 7 Sheds, 

Scliool UuLise, 

Bridjio, 

Kluoin, 

J.,Iloi-toirs Gi-istMill, 

" Saw mid Sliiugle Mill. 

Dwelling. 
Jlcri'lmiita' Excliance; T. W. ni-nnr, 

V. r.avcll, E. ^^'. Part A- Co., ^\^^l■'h. 

Hiid Odd Kellows' l-IJiIl. 
J. Van Burc.n, Coliimbia Hotel. 
G. 1'. JIartiii, dwelling. 
W. L. Eeod, 
A. .r Goss, ■' 

Doct. C. Pierce, " 

onicc, 

iMrs. Enos Eastman, Dwelling'. 

K. llosford, " 

W. B. Goodricli, 

C. K. BruudriaRe, •' 

.[.T. Rutherford, 

T). Soars. 

Rev. B. B. Parson, dwelling, pa\soiiai;c 

of Coiifrregational Church, 
Kzekiel Abemathv, dwelling, 
0. 11. McClelland," 
H. K.BeldinK, " 

Rev. .1. "W. Baily. dwelling, T'niver.'t.i- 

list Church Parsonajre, 
M. P. Hephurn, dwellinjr, 
W. \V. Hepburji, 
H. B. RiehardsoTi 
J. ('(iL-swell, 

McCull <!c Smith, Shoo Store, 
6. l'\ Sfartin, Harness Shop, 
J. Jlar.'ihall, Grocery, 
^'ish & Stone, Tin and Stove Shop. 
(1. A. Lomis, Dwelling, 
L. C. Lockwood •' 
J. Whitnov. 

N. Tlo-ford, Blacksmith Shop, 
.1. T. Rutherford, Store, 
Thos. Mea, Tailor, 
A. J. Goss, Store, 
J. A. Fuller " 
A. Ko.'i.s, dwelliJif,': G. K. I'oor, I'.ook 

Store, and 0. '".Vhitnev, .stone sliop, 

and S. ofT. Hail 
.1. A. Fuller, dwelliir^. 
W. .T. Mnnlv, 



.I'i P. S. Weticutt, '■ it JMIIlhierslio)), 

.i« G. E. Poor, Pwellin;; 

.54 V. C. Powell, 

.W A. M. Plxon, 

.56 " AVagoii Shop. 

.-)7 H. Dart, Dwelling. 

.58 A. Revnolds, " 

,5^ J. A. Whlghs, 

(iO " Blacksmith Shop, 

01 Mrs. Thomas .Sears, Pwellinji, 

K2 D. Whitncv, ■' 

B3 A. H. Joice, 

()4 W. Wheeler, 

tj.5 >rrs. Morrison. 

tit; c; Powell, 

(i7 P. E. Shurman. 

1)8 J. Hutfhs, 

(i9 I Fisk, Tin Shop, 

7n H. B. Richardson, Cabinet Shop, 

71 Thos. Furgison, Dwelling, 

7'i C. Averill, House, 

73 A. Goas, Woolen Factory, 

75 A. Goss, House, 

7B " DwelUnp;, 

77 E. P. Hill 

78 A. Pike, 

7i) D. P. Haskell '■ 

80 C. Goss, 

81. A. Goss, house, 

Hi J. Curry, Dwelling. 

83 D.Monty 

84 J. Bruce, " 

85 R. Blond, 

SH L. Stebbinjis, " 

87 .T. F. Jackson, 

88 L. Houghton, " 

89 W. S. Lockwood, " 

90 W. Lockwood " 

91 M. W. Levings, 

92 .1. R. Loucks, '■ 

93 Mrs. Beckwith, 

94 X. D. More, Brooklyn House, 

95 Davton'sShoe Store. 

9(i H. Pavtoi'.'s Estate Property, 

97 y. W.Leving's Chair Factory, 

98 W. L. Reed, Waggon Shop, 

99 W. Lockwood, '• " 
KiO X. ct,T. Meatt, Fumace, 
101 " Dwelling, 
II'.! A. (ioss. Store, 

10'. ■' Farm Barns 
Mr.";. Dayton, dwelling, hetwoon 112 A- 7.^ 
(). M'hitiiev, Dwelling, ad.ioining .59. 
T. W. Crone, •' " -57. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 347 

St. Paul's church, Waddington, was incorporated Oct. 19, 1818, with 
David A. Ogden, and Gouverneur Ogden, Wardens ; Jason Fenton, Rob- 
ert McDowali, Thomas Short, Thomas Archibald, John Dewey, John S. 
Chipmau, Thomas Rutherford, and Elisha Meigs, Vestrymen. The 
church edifice had'^been finished the same year at the expense of Trinity 
chinch, New York, and David A. Ogden, and was consecrated by Bishop 
Henry Hobart, of the diocese of New York, on the 22d of August, 1818. 
The building was commenced in 1816, and built in that and the two fol- 
lowing years. The first meeting of the vestry, was on the 17th of 
October, 1818, at which time Amos G. Baldwin was appointed Rector. 
William H. Vining, clerk and secretary; D. A. Ogden, treasurer. This 
church possesses a glebe of three hundred acres on IMile square number 
ten, about a mile from Waddington village. Jason Fenton, Gouverneur 
Ogden, Thomas Short, and Thomas Archibald, were the persons first 
mentioned, as charged with an examination of this property. It has 
since been managed by trustees appointed by the vestry. The following 
is a list of the rectors of this church since its organization: Rev. Amos 
G. Baldwin, Rev. Addison Searle. Rev. Seth W. Beardsley, Rev. Hiram 
Adams, Rev. Aaron Humphrey, Rev. John A. Childs, Rev. John H. 
Hanson. At the date of writing there is no rector to this church. The 
following quotation from tlie records of the church, under date of Octo- 
ber 17, 1818, explains itself: 

" It having been stated to the board that the Hon. John Ogilvie, his 
Britannic Majesty's commissioner, for ascertaining the line between the 
United States and his Majesty's province of Upper Canada, has pre- 
sented a bell for the use of said church; therefore: — 

Resolved, Unanimously, that the thanks of this board be presented to 
him, and further as a means of perpetuating our gratitude and his libe- 
ralty that the following inscription be engraved on the said bell, viz: 
"Presented by the Honorable John Ogilvie, of the city of Montreal, 
June 1818." In answer to this resolution, which was communicated to 
the honorable gentleman, he expressed a wish that the bell might " ring 
till the end of time," but this benevolent wish has not been fulfilled, be- 
cause the bell has been accidentally broken and its place supplied by 
another. 

The First Associate Reformed church in Madrid, was incorporated 
Sept 17, 1819, with Richard Rutherford, Mark Douglas, John Mofatt, 
John Rutherford, and Robert Ridu, trustees. 

The First Catholic Congregation in Madrid, was incorporated May 28, 
1859, with Wm. Fitz Geralds, John Hamlin, Patrick Welch, Thomas 
Fay, and Michael Hughs, trustees. The church was built by the Rev. 
James Mackey, now of Ogdensburgh. 

The Wadding-ton Methodist Episcopal church, was incorporated 
April 13, 1849, with Wm. Jordin, Miles M. Sheldon, Richard Tindale, 
John Tackereel, and John McDowal, trustees. That of Columbia vil- 
lage June 30, 1847 with Solomon S. Martin, Stephen F. Palmer, and 
Wm. L. Reed, trustees. 

Massena. 

Incorporated in the act that formed the county, March 3, 1803, the 
whole of Great tracts 2 and 3 being attached. By the erection of Hop- 
kiuton and Brasher, it has been reduced to its present limits, which were 
never a part of Macomb's purchase. 

The earliest records extant are 1808, when John Wilson was elected 



348 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

supervisor; John E. Perkins, der/c;i Elisha W. Barber, Thomag Stead- 
Tnan, Enoch French, assessors; Aaron Wr\ght, collector ; Benj. Willard, 
Jarvis Kimball, Enoch French, cotn'rs. highways; Jno. Reeve, Aaron 
Wright, constables; Griffin Place, Joiin Gavv'in, fence viewers ; John Bul- 
lard. Griffin Place, pound masters. At this meeting, voted a petition for 
the erection of Louisville. In 1806, a wolf bounty of $3, and in 1810, 
of $5. In 1818, $500 voted for the poor. In 1820-1, a fox bounty of 50 
cts. In 1825, voted to let the Deer river settlers have $200 out of the 
poor funds, in case they are set off, and no more. In 1826, voted in 
favor of allowing that part of No. 16, still belonging to Massena, to be 
attached to Brasher, and of allowing $10 of poor money to be allowed 
them. In 1828, J. B. Andrews, John E. Perkins and Lemuel Haskell 
appointed to wait upon the court house commissioners, and represent 
the interests of the town. The location at Columbia village advised. 
In 1849, voted to raise $100 to build a float, and furnish wires for a ferry 
on Grass river, near the centre of the town. In 1850, voted not to make 
a distinction between the town and county poor; and in 1851, against a 
tax for repairing the court house. 

Supervisors.— \m% Amos Lay; 1808-9, John Wilson ; 1810-11, Thomas 
Steadman; 1812, Calvin Hubbard; 1813-17, Willard Seaton; 1818-19, 
John E. Perkins; 1820-1, John Stone, Jr.; 1822-4, .lohn B.Andrews; 
1825-6, Chester Gurney; 1827-8, Lemuel Haskell; 1829-30, Ira Good- 
rid^e; 1831, John B.Andrews; 1832-3, L.Haskell; 1834-7, Ira Good- 
ridge; 1838-9, John B. Judd; .1840-1, Benjamin Phillips; 1842-4, John 
B. Andrews; 1845, E. D. Ransom; 1846, Allen B. Phillips; 1847, E. D. 
Ransom; 1848-9, Allen B. Phillips; 1850, Willson Bridges: 1851-2, J. 
B. Andrews. 

The first settlement in Massena began as early as 1792, by the erection 
of a saw mill on Grass river, a mile below the present village, on premises 
leased and owned by the St. Regis Indians. Amable Foucher, from Old 
Chateaugay, near Montreal, afterwards occupied them, and was in pos- 
session till 1808. The first dalm built by F. was swept off up stream, 
by the back water from the St. Lawrence, thrown up by the obstruction 
of ice. The peculiarity of the great river, which caused this, deserves 
notice. 

From the commencement of the rapids below the village of Ogdens- 
burgh to the head of lake St. Francis, at St. Regis, the St. Lawrence 
seldom freezes sufficiently to allow of crossing on the ice, although at 
particular seasons, and for a short time there has been a bridge of ice 
sufficiendy strong to support teams. The waters, however, being chilled 
by snows drifted into them, and obstructed by anchor ice, or masses 
formed at the bottom of the stream, as is common in running water in 
our climate, will commence forming a dam or slight obstruction usually 
near St. Regis, where its surface is covered with solid ice, and this being 
fixed by freezing, and increased by cakes of floating ice and snow, will 
accumulate at successive points above, raising the surface, and causing 
still water just above the obstruction, which allows the freezing process 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 349 

to take place. This has taken place during severe snow storms, and in 
intensely cold weather, so rapidly, as to raise the icaters of the St. Laivrence 
at certain points Ji/teen feet in as many minutes ; and the Long Saut rapids, 
where the waters usually shoot downward with the swiftness of an 
arrow, have been known to be as placid as the surface of a mill pond, 
from obstructions below. The descent of the water is, of course, the 
8ame, but the rapids are carried fwther down stream, and still water 
occurs at points where it is rapid at ordinary seasons. The extreme 
difference of level hitherto observed from these obstructions, is about 
twenty five feet, in Robinson's bay; in Massena, about nine miles above 
St. Regis, and in Grass river, it has been known to raise to an equal 
hei<^ht. No winter passes, without more or less of these ice dams and 
reflex currents, which usually happen towards the latter part of winter, 
after the waters have become chilled, and ice has formed below. Above 
the head of the Long Saut, they are seldom or never noticed. Similar 
occurrences happen at Montreal, at certain seasons, and have often caused 
serious accidents. The apparent solidity of the obstructions thus tempora- 
rily formed, is seldom trusted by those acquainted with the river; al- 
though there have been those, fool-hardy enough, to venture across the 
channel upon them. They will sometimes form and break away with 
astonishing rapidity ; for such is the irresistible force of the mighty cur- 
rent, that no obstruction can long withstand its power. In 1833, a bridge 
at Massena Centre, supposed to be placed sufficiently high to be above 
the reach of all floods, was swept away from this cause, the waters 
having arisen nearly five feet higher than had been before observed ; and 
it has been found quite impracticable to maintain bridges below Massena 
village across Grass river. The water has been seen to pour over the 
dam at Haskell's mill, up stream, for a short time, and the dam at Massena 
village has been preserved against the back water with extreme difficulty. 
The lower dam on Grass river is built to resist the current from both 
directions, and the level of this river, as well as the St. Lawrence, is 
from this cause higher through a portion of the winter than its normal 
level. 

Settlements under the proprietors began in 1798, in the fall of which 
year Amos Lay began to survey.* In 1799, a road from Oswegatchie to 
St. Regis, was surveyed and partly opened, and portions of it are still 
traveled. The first land agent was said to be Henry Child, who was 

* Mr. Lay was born Aug. 17, 1765, in Lyme, Ct.. and was early employed in the northern 
surveys, of Massena, in the fall of 1798; of Camon and Lisbon, in '99, and afterwards, of 
Stockholm and Louisville; and in 1S20, No. 7, tract No. 2. In 1317, he published a map of 
New York, and afterwards one of the United States, which have gone through several editions. 
Hft was recently living in Lower Canada. 



350 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

succeeded by Amos Lay, and the latter by Matthew Perkins. Mamri 
Victory, Calvin Plumley, Bliss Hoisiugton, Elijah Bailey, David Lytle, 
Seth Reed, Leonard Merrick, John Bidlard, Nathaniel Keeser, Jacob and 
David Hiitchins, Daniel Robinson and others had settled in 1802, mostly 
from Vermont, who came by way of Chateaugay and St. Regis. 1 he 
town began about this time to settle rapidly, and in 1807, there were in 
the town, as it then was constituted, 98 voters, with property qualifica- 
tions. 

In the summer of 1803, Calvin Hubbard and Stephen Reed erected a 
saw mill on Gi'ass river, at the village of Massena, which was the second 
one in town, Jn 1807 or 8, they built the first grist mill near the same 
place, which had a single run of rock stone. Jn 1810, they sold to James 
McDowell, of Montreal, who held the lower mill, and the Indian reser- 
vation on which it stood. He continued the owner of the upper mills 
until about 1828. 

The first school is said to have been taught in the winter of 1803, by 
Gilbert Reed, at what is now Massena village. 

The annoyances experienced fi-om the Indians by the early proprie- 
tors and settlers, are set forth in the following memorials. 

" To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York, in 
Senate and Assembly convened: 

The petition of the subscriber, humbly sheweth: That he, together 
with a number of others, his associates, did, (at sundry times), locate on 
several tracts and pieces of land, and obtained grants for the same, on 
the southeast side of the river St. Lawrence, and easterly of and adjoin- 
ing the township of Louisville. That your petitioner and associates, 
were induced to this distant object; first, to be clear of intefering with 
other claims, and secondly, by a stream of water passing through the 
middle of tiie said collected several tracts, then called and known by the 
name of Little Black river, and noted in a map of the state, published at 
the time of the Revolution, by the name of Eyensawye, and now called 
by the St. Regis Indians, Grass river. That your petitioner and associa- 
tes, attempted last season to commence settlements on the premises 
aforesaid," and were prevented from taking possession by the St. Regis 
Indians, who alleged that the said Black river and one half mile on each 
side thereof is reserved by treaty, and confirmed to them by the com- 
missioners of the United States and the state of New York. That your 
])etitioner, therefore, to investigate the claim, applied to the record of 
the state, and found the original treaty there desposited, dated the 31st 
May, 1796, whereby it appears, the premises so surrendered by the com- 
missioners aforesaid, is about eight square miles, being the most valuable 
part of the property held by your petitioners, &c., under the solemn 
grants of the state, in the years 1788, and 1790. A copy of said treaty, 
and cession aforesaid, is hereunto annexed, together with a map of the 
several gnuits certified by the surveyor general. That your petitioner, 
previous to the discovery of the cession aforesaid, did subsciibe, and is 
accountable to contribute a considerable proportion towards a road from 
Plattsburgh, jointly with the proprietors of Louisville, and is now without 



AND FRA]S*KLIN COUNTIES. 351 

the prospect of deriving the least benefit therefrom. In case thus 
circumstanced with the St. Regis Indians, who are not amenable to the 
laws, your petitioner anrl associates are induced to appl}' for legislative 
aid in the premises, and pray that they will be pleased to grant such 
relief as they in their wisdom will judge equitable and just. 

Jer'. V. Rexsselaer. 
Albany, 17th January, 1799. Himself and Associates." 

In consequence of the above, the state purchased the grass meadows, 
paying, it is said, much more than they were worth, and more than after- 
wards sold for. 

To His Excellency, John Jay, Esq., Governor of the State of Xew 
York, in council. The petition of the several persons, whose names 
are hereunto subscribed, settlers in the townships of Massena. and Louis- 
ville, on the banks of the river St. Lawrence, in the state of Xew York. 
Humbly represenieth ; that the Indian chiefs and warriors of St. Regis, 
are possessed of a tract of land, chiefly wild meadow, extending from 
the mouth of Grass river, in the to\\'nship of Massena, up to the falls, 
which is about seven miles. That your petitioners having settled in the 
said townships of Massena and Louisville, are greatly annoyed by the 
said Indians, who threaten to kill and destroy their cattle unavoidably 
trespassing upon these meadows, they being exposed chiefly without 
fence, and several of their cattle are missing. Your petitioners therefore 
humbly pray your Excellency, in council, to take such measures of 
accommodation with the said Indians, as shall seem meet, in order to 
secure to your petitioners the peacable enjojment of their lands and 
property, asainst the depredations of the said Indians. And your pe- 
titioners will ever pray, &c. 

Signed, Amos Lay, 3Iamri Yictory, Calvin Plumley, Kinner Xew- 
comb, Samuel Xewcomb, G. S. Descoteaux, Win. Policy, Anthony 
Lamping, Aaron Allen and two illegible signatures. Dated June 24, 
1800." 

The first bridge over Grass river, was built in 1803, at the village, and 
has been rebuilt several times. In 1846 a tax of $873 was, by law, 
directed to be raised for the erection of a bridge, which was done in the 
same year. A bridge was built at the centre of the town, in 1832, but 
soon swept ofi; Raquette river is crossed by two bridges. 

In early times, when from the insecurity' of the laws and the tardiness 
of justice in overtaking and punishing oflfenders, there lived in the lower 
part of Massena, a class of people who sometimes executed the laws 
that pleased them best, and the "blue beech law" had perhaps, in some 
cases, the precedent of that formed upon the statute. Fighting was of 
frequent occurrence, and the onl}- redress in certain cases, that could he 
appealed to, for the settlement of personal difficulties. When courts of 
justice came to be established, the decisions were at times very unsatis- 
factoi-y, and sometimes absurd. It is said that on one occasion, a man 
having been convicted before a magistrate for fighting, was-sent to Og- 
densburgh jail, in the custody of a constable. To sustain the journey, 
hey took along a jug of rum, and both partook freely of its contents. 



352 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

until becoming nearly intoxicated, they fell to blows, and both being 
badly beaten and gory with blood, returned. The keeper of the prisoner 
then offered to again start, and the latter promised peaceably to go, on 
condition, that their jug should be replenished. The account does not 
relate whether this very reasonable offer was complied with, on the part 
of the worthy magistrate. 

Early in the summer, ]819, an American Durham boat on its way up 
from Montreal, was stopped at Mille Roche, a corporal's guard was put on 
board, and it was ordered to Cornwall. The militia officer, (Mr. Grant,) 
being somewhat a stranger tothe river and its channels, gave up to the 
captain and crew of the boat its management, and the latter in running 
it down, steered across the foot of Barnhart's island, and before the guard 
on board had time to realize their situation, they were moored to the 
shore, and taken prisoners by the inhabitants, who seeing the boat ap- 
proaching, and comprehending the movement, had seized their arms and 
rushed to the water's edge, to await them. The boat's crew had more- 
over carelessly spattered water upon the guns of the guard, so as to 
render them entirelely useles. A militia training was then in progress 
at Massena village, and thither a messenger was despatched for help, but 
before they could arrive, the boat and the guard had been secured, and 
the latter were on their march to the village as prisoners. Their leader 
thenceforth bore the title of Commodore Grant, and the thing was looked 
upon as a good yankee trick. The boat was never recovered by the 
British, but the guard having been handsomely treated, were dismissed 
on parole. 

During the same summer, the inhabitants of Massena village, by volun- 
tary labor, undertook to enclose a portion of their premises with a stock- 
ade. This was built of timber set into the ground, with two sides hewed 
to make the joints somewhat perfect, and the tops cut off about twelve 
feet from the ground and sharpened. A difference of opinion having 
arisen, in relation to where the line of pickets should run, and what pre" 
raises should be included, the work was abandoned, and of course never 
afforded any pi-otection, if indeed any was in reality required. Quite an 
amount of labor was expended on this work. During the months of 
July and August of the same year, a barrack was erected near the centre 
of the town, north of Grass river, at the expense of the government, 
under the direction of Lieut. Emerson. It was a frame building, about 
one hundred feet in length, and occupied by militia of the county, under 
the command of Col. Fancher, of Madrid, for about three months. The 
numbers posted here were about 200 or 250. At the expiration of this 
period a part of these returned home and a part repaired to Ogdens- 
burgh. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 357 

In September, 1813, a company of some 300 provincial niilitia of the 
county of Stormont, in Canada, and under Major Joseph Anderson, 
crossed the St. Lawrence in the night, burned the barrack, and took 
several prisoners who were subsequently released. A building which 
had been used as a storehouse for provisions, &c., was spared, on the 
representation that it was private propertj'. They also destroyed several 
Durham boats that had been sunk in the river, and which were partly 
exposed by the low water. This party crossed at the foot of Barnhart's 
island, and returned by way of Grass river, up which the boats that had 
brought them over had been sent to meet them. 

Haifa century since Masseua was overspread with a forest that afforded 
supei-ior lumber and timber for spars, which made the business of lutn- 
bering one of much prominence for many years. In 1810, $60,000 
worth of timber was rafted to Quebec by one man. Spars from 80 to 
110 feet long, were often obtained. This business ceased with the pro- 
gress of the settlements about 1828, although wood, and certahi qualities 
of timber are still annually rafted to Montreal. 

Massena Springs are situated on the west bank of Raquette river, one 
mile from Massena village, which is on Grass river, and communicate 
with the depot of North Potsdam by a plank road. They have acquired 
a wide reputation for their medicinal qualities, and this celebrity is ra- 
pidly increasing. The early surveyors noticed them in 1799-1800, when 
a copious volume of clear cold water was thrown up, strongly charged 
with sulphur, and the earth around trod into a mire hole, by deer and 
moose, which frequented the spot on account of the saline qualities of 
the water. The Indians here found an abundance of this game at all 
seasons, and vague traditions exist, that they used the waters medicinally, 
but of this there is much doubt. The whites, however, began to use the 
waters at an early day, and Spaffbrd, in 1813, mentioned them as occur- 
ring near Lay's falls, and as possessing a reputation for the cure of cu- 
taneous complaints. In 1822, Capt. John PoUey erected the first accom- 
modations, and in 1828, the present Harrogate house was built by Ruel 
Taylor, for Parsons Taylor, of St. Regis, which was opened for the ac- 
commodation of invalids, by David Merrils. Other private houses were 
erected in the vicinity soon after, and the spring was curbed and the 
ground around improved by a platform. In 1848, Benjamin Phillips, 
Esq., erected the present spacious and convenient hotel represented in 
our accompanying engraving. It is of brick, 90 by 44 feet on the ground, 
three stories in height, with the wings and accommodations for about 
two hundred visitors. It is proposed to extend the building to the 
ground occupied by the barn, which would quite double its capacity. 
Both hotels are now owned by Mr. Phillips, who has provided every 



358 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

convenience as well for the sick, as for those who resort thither for pur- 
pose of recreation during the warm season. A neat building, supported 
by pillars, has been erected over the spring, and the grounds around 
planted with shade trees, and appliances for the external use of the 
water by warm and cold bath, have been prepared. The waters have 
been analyzed by Prof. Emmons, with the following results: 

Warm spring. Cold spring' 

Chloride of Sodium, 6,988 6,205 

Magnesia, 644 846 

Calcium, 1,026 466 

Sulphate of Lime, 2,794 1,960 

Carbonate of Lime, 1,630 1,100 

Hydro Sulphuret of Sodium, Magnesia and Or- 
ganic Matter, 1,870 

13,082 12,447 

The complaints for which these waters have been most used, are cu- 
taneous diseases of nearly every description, dyspepsia, especially of the 
chronic variety, and chronic diarrhoja. For a disordered condition of 
the digestive organs in general, and for the debility arising from want of 
exercise, and close application to any sedentary employment, they have 
been found to exert a salutary influence. Active organic diseases of the 
liver and lungs have been oftener aggravated than relieved by the use 
of these waters. They arc found serviceable also, in general debility, 
chronic ophthalmia, calculous affections, and the debilitating causes 
peculiar to the female constitution. 

Religious Societies. — Meetings were held as early as 1803, by traveling 
preachers, and in 1806 two missionaries, one of whom was the Rev. 
Royal Phelps, visited the town, but no church was formed until February, 
1819, when a Congregational one was formed under the Rev. Ambrose 
Porter, a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of Dartmouth College. 
The number at first, was 12. In five years he was succeeded by F. F. 
Packard, who stayed three years. In September, 1833, the 2d Congrega- 
tional Church was formed at the village, the former being at the centre 
of the town. The same clergyman has usuallj' preached at both. The 
Rev. Messrs. Philetus Montague, Justin Taylor, Joseph A. Northrup, 
Rufus R. Demming and Thomas N. Benedict, have been successively 
employed. The 1st Congregational Society, was incorporated August 6, 
1825, with John E. Perkins, Benjamin Phillips, Charles Gurney, James 
G. Stead man and U. H. Orvis, trustees. This society, aided by other 
sects in 1836, erected near the centre of the town, west of Grass river, a 
brick meeting house, at a cost of $1,600. The 2d Congregational Society, 
was incorporated October 15, 1844, with Silas Joj', William S. Paddock, 
Samuel Tracey, Benjamin Phillips, Robert Dutton, John B. Judd and J. 
B. Andrews, trustees. A meeting house was built at the village in 1843-4, 
at a cost of $2000, including the site. The years 1825, 1842 and 
1846, have been marked by religious revivals, in which other denomina- 
tions shared. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. ' 359 

The Baptists and Methodists have each an organization in town. The 
church of the former is in the census of 1850, estimated worth $800. A 
Universahst Society was incorporated September 21, 1835, with Cornelius 
Barnes, Enos Beach and Joseph Tucker, trustees. They have no place 
of worship. 

There is a Catholic church west of Grass river, about a mile below the 
village, which in the last census, is reported worth $900. 

MORRISTOWN 

Was formed fi'om Oswegatchie, March 27, 1821, at first 10 miles square, 
but in the erection of Hammond and Macomb, reduced to its present 
limits. 

The first town officers were David Fovd, supei-visor ; David Hill, clerk; 
John Canfield, Paschal Miller, Horace Aldrich, assessors ; Henry Hooker, 
collector; John Hooker, Daniel W. Church, John K. Tliurber, overseers of 
poor ; Wm. Swain, Alexander B. Miller, Wm. R. Ward, commissioners of 
highways; Powel Davis, James ^urnha.m, comrnissioners of schools ; Erastus 
Northum, John Grannis, Alexander R. Miller, inspectors of schools. 

Supervisors. — 1821, David Ford ; 1822, Timothy Pope ; 1823-4, Augustus 
Chapman; 1825-6, Paschal Miller; 1827, Augustus Chapman; 1828-9. 
Jacob J.Ford; 1830-2, Richard W. Colforx; 1833-4, John Parker; 1835-7, 
Jacob J. Ford; 1838-9, Isaac Ell wood; 1840-52, Moses Birdsall. 

JVotesfrom the Records, — 1821, Canada thistles to be cut twice in the 
yeai*, under a penalty of $5, to be sued by the poor masters. In 1833, 
voted against any part of the town being set on to Hammond. In 1836, 
efl[orts made to bridge Black lake at the Narrows. In 1844, voted against 
any division of the county. Resolved to build a town house, but this has 
not been done. In 1846, voted in favor of abolishing the office of deputy 
superintendent of schools. In 1848, resolved that an application be 
made to the legislature for an act granting the ferry money received at 
Morristown, to the support of common schools, and to give the care of 
the ferry to the town officers. The same resolution was passed in rela- 
tion to a ferry across Black lake. The care of this ferry was asked to 
be given to the town officers of the two towns. 

This town was settled principally under the agency of Col. David 
Ford, who in the summer of 1804, visited the town to make preliminary 
arrangements for improvements. The town was surveyed in 1799, by 
Jacob Brown, afterwards Gen. Brown, and a village plat laid out at the 
present village of Morristown, named Morrisville, and another at the Nar- 
rows, named Marysburgh, both of which ^names are discarded. Col. 
Ford first made an actual settlement about 1808. Mr. Arnold Smith 
and Thomas Hill, settled at about the same time, on the site of the pre- 
sent village. 

The first house in the village was erected by Mr. Ford, and Arnold 
Smith kept the first public house. A wharf was built in 1817, by John 
Canfield, Sen., who also erected the first store house at this port The 
first school in town was kept it is said, by George Couper. 
23 



360 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

To promote the settlement of the village, the agent, about the year 
1817 oflered to mechanics a village lot, and a j)ark lot of some five acres, 
as a free gift, on condition tliat they should carry on their trade during 
five years, and within a limited time erect a house of specified dimen- 
sions. Several lots w^ere thus taken up, but, except in one or two in- 
stances, the conditions were not complied with in such a manner as to 
acquire a title. It was the intention of the proprietor to have conveyed 
a glebe of two hundred acres for the benefit of the Episcopal church, 
but his death occurred before the legal conveyance was made, and his 
executors never carried his intention into effect. Mr. Morris, with the 
above exceptions, a part of which existed in intentions only, never gave 
any property for the use of the town of Morristown. 

The first settler on Black lake was John K. Thin-ber. Henry Ellen- 
wood located near this place in 1810, and Henry Harrison, Ephraim 
Story, Benjamin Tubbs and Benjamin Goodwin about the same time, in 
the vicinity of Black lake. The first tavern erected at the present iil- 
lage of EJwardsville, or the Narrows, was by Arnold Smith. A ferry 
was first established here by Mr. Ellenwood. A post office was erected 
March 22, 1837, .Jonathan S. Edwards being the first post master; and 
the office, from him, was named Edwardsville, although the place lias 
scarcely acquired that name among the inhabitants. A union church 
was erected here in 1847, and dedicated on the 3d of November of that 
year, by a sermon preached by clergymen of each of the two principal 
denominations, who erected the house, the Rev. Mr. Wait, a Presbyte- 
rian, and Rev. Mr. Carey, a Methodist. 

A ferry across Black lake has existed for many years, at this place, but 
never under a regular license, until 1851. It was then leased in accord- 
ance with law, at the rate of $45 per annum, the income being equally 
divided between Macomb and Morristown, for the benefit of schools. 
This point is very favorably situated for the location of a bridge, as the 
lake is narrow, and near the middle divided by an island. The project 
has been brought forward sevei'al times, but more especially in 1836, 
about the time when high anticipations were entertained from the min- 
eral wealth of the country south of the lake; but has not hitherto been 
carried into effect. The present ferry is admirably arranged, and affords 
a means for crossing adequate to the wants of the country. 

This town scarcely began to be settled before 3817, during which 
year, and the tw^o following, great numbers of settlers came in and took 
up lands. The sales continued until the year 1820, when they were 
suspended during the settlement of the estate of Gouverneur Morris, 
one of the principal proprietors of the town. In 1823, the lands were 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 361 

mostly again opened for sale, portions having been purchased by Angus- 
tus Chapman and others, and since that period the town has progressed 
steadily in wealth and improvement. Being underlaid by the Potsdam 
sandstone, it is generally fertile and productive, and but little if any land 
occurs in town which is not susceptible of profitable tillage. Along the 
shore of Black lake, in common with parts of Hammond, De Peyster 
and Macomb, considerable attention has, within a few years, been paid 
to the cultivation of hops. The town wants an adequate supply of 
water power, as the only stream which has any pretensions to hydraulic 
privileges, is Chippewa creek, which flows across the town, and affords 
at one or two places a limited supply of water during a part of the year. 
To remedy this inconvenience, a wind mill was erected in 1828, on a 
commanding elevation at the village, and for one or two years did good 
business; but the projector having been accidentally drowned, no one 
was found able or competent to undertake its continuance, and it was 
abandoned. This is believed to be the first and only wind mill for 
grinding grain, erected in the county ; although at several points along 
the Canada shore, they have been erected and used. The ruins of the 
oldest of these, is on the bank of the St. Lawrence, between Prescott 
and Maitland, and was old and dismantled at the time when Ogdens- 
burgh first began to be setded, in 1796. Steam has very generally super- 
ceded wind, as the motive power, and from its cheapness and efficiency, 
is justly preferred. There are, it i:3 believed, two or three steam grist 
mills in town. The central and eastern part of Morristown was settled, 
by English emigrants, in 1817-18, and a portion still bears the name of 
English settlement. They were Robert Long, George Bell, James 
McDugal, Robert Johnson, Edward Lovett, William Arnold, William 

Holliday (Irish), Carter, William Willson, George Couper, 

Wm. Osburne and Thomas Baldrum, in 1817, and John Pringle, Tho- 
mas Young, John Taylor, Joseph Taylor, John Willson, Joseph Couper, 
and a few others in the year following. These were principally from 
Roxburghshire, Northumberland, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and 
met casually without having previously been acquainted. 

Religious Societies.-The Presbyterian church i" this town, was formed 
bv the Kev. Mr. Smart, of Brockville, assisted by the Rev. Isaac Clinton, 
of Lowviile,in June, 1821, at first of ei^ht members f ^^^^-^^"^^l 
erected in 1837, at a cost of $1,950, and dedicated Feb. 14, 1838, by the 
Rev. J? Savage. The Rev. Messrs. James Rogers, James Taylor, John 
McGre-or, Solomon Williams, Henry E. Eastman, Henry W. Wai, 
Samuef Youngs, and Robt. T. Conant have l^«?'' ^^-^^'^.^J ^{"//fj^ 

The first religious Union society was formed Feb. 11, 1833, with Joel 
Carter, John Child, Abel Beardsley, Zenas Young and James Burnham, 

*"The Presbyterian society was formed March 25, 1833, with Stephen 



3g2 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Canfield, David Palmer, Ernstus Nortliam and Win. N. Brown, trustees. 
The Baptist church was organized January 23, 1828, at the Narrows 
and first consisted of ten members. The first settled pastor was Elder 
Clement Havens, althougli several had been employed previously foi^ a 
short time. Whole number since first formed, 155; present number,51. 
Present pastor, Kid. Ayers. 

Christ's church, of Morristown, was formed about 1830, and now 
numbers about 40 members. The society was incorporated July 6, 

1846, with George Couper and Cuthbert Ramsey, wardens, and Augus- 
tus Chapman, Chilion Ford, Robert Ashton, Moses Birdsall, James W. 
Munsell, Thomas Boldram, John Brewer and Henry Hooker, vestrymen. 
The Rev. Messrs, Aaron Humphreys, David Griffith, J. A. Brayton, 
George A. Slack, E. J. W. Roberts and John Scovil have been employed 
in the ministry of this church. The church edifice was built in 1833, 
at a cost of between two and three thousand dollars. 

The first Evangelical Lutheran congregation was formed March 18, 

1847, with Joseph Weaver, John Dillenbeck and John Mitchell, trustees. 
A Methodist society was formed Nov. 16, 1847, with Wm. C. Griffin, 

Samuel N. Wright, J. C. Slodard, John Jewett, Lemuel Lewis, Cornelius 
Walrath and P. W. Hinthnarsb, trustees. They erected a church that 
was dedicated Nov. 16, 1848, burned in Nov., 1850, and rebuilt in 1851, 
at a cost of $1,600. 

A Congregational church was formed on Chippewa street, in May, 
1852, of 25 mendiers, under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Young. A 
church edifice had been erected here in 1849, at a cost of $550. 

Norfolk. 

An attempt was made, in 1817, to divide the towns, making one six 

miles square, with the present village the centre, and failed. On the 

9tb of April, 1823, Louisville was divided, embracing mile squares 36 to 

.95, and all of 34 and 35 south of Grass river. April 15, 1834, mile 

squares 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and the north halves of 14 and 19 of Stockholm 

were added, and April 3, 1844, lots 36 to 44, and parts of 34, 35, 45 

wei'e annexed to Louisville. A swamp between Raquette and Grass 

rivers, rendered a division of Louisville necessary. 

The first town meeting was held at the house of Elisha Adams. In 
1828, a committee of five to wait upon the court house commissioners. 
In 1848, voted against dividing St. Lawrence into three counties. In 
1851, voted strongly against enlarging court bouse. In 1852, $650 voted 
for a town hou!«e. This has been built of brick, 60 by 40, with a piazza 
8 feet wide in front. It is decidedly the finest town hall in the county, 
and has cost about $1,000. 

Supervisors. — 1823, Christopher G. Stowe; 1824-9, Phineas Attwater; 
1830-1, Wm. Blake; 1832-3, P. Attwater; 1834-6, Wm. Blake; 1837, 
Norman Sackrider; 1838, William Blake; 1839, N. Sackrider; 1840-1, 
Hiram Attwater; 1842-5, Ira Hale; 1846-7, Giles I. Hall; 1848-9, Calvin 
Elms; 1850-1, Nathaniel F. Beals; 1852, Christian Sackrider. 

The first industrial operations in Norfolk, in common with many of 
the towns of St. Lawrence county, lying on the Great river or its tribu- 
taries, was commenced by timber thieves, previous to 1809. In that 
year Erastus Hall, from Tyrringham, Mass., came into town to explore, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 863 

wjtti a view of settlement. He arrived at Potsdam May 9, 1809, at the 
inn of Ruell Taylor, and meeting with Judge Raymond, was induced to 
go and look at lands, in which the latter had the agency, in what was 
then the town of Louisville. Ira Brewer, from the same place with Mr. 
Hall, accompanied him on his journey, and they proceeded through a 
bush road which had been cut as far as the present village of Rayraond- 
ville, for the purpose of conveying potash to a point from whence it 
could be shipped in canoes for Canada. Arriving at their destination, 
but on the opposite side of the river from that wiiich they wished to gain, 
they made a rude raft of logs, on which they placed their coats, guns, 
axes and fire works, and endeavored to paddle over, but soon found 
themselves at the mercy of the current, without the ability to guide their 
frail raft with the poles they had provided. Passing under a tree they 
threw on shore their freight, and with much difficulty rescued them- 
selves by seizing and clinging to the branches. One lost his hat, but 
soon recovered it by swimming, and the two found shelter in a shanty 
erected by lumbermen in procuring timber. A great number, of beauti- 
ful masts had been taken in the woods near Raquette river in this town. 
In returning they attempted to cross the river in an old bark canoe, but 
this instantly filled with water, and they were obliged to hasten back. 
On the first night they were unable to get to their destination, and slept 
under a log. Several days after, they returned, and had farms surveyed 
out by Sewall Raymond, of Potsdam. The first contract for land in 
town was given to Mr. Hall in June, 1809. The first framed building 
erected was a small ware house on the east side of theriver atRaymond- 
ville. 

By night the explorers built a ring of fires, as the only means of being 
free from the clouds of mosquitos and black Jlies, of which the latter in 
particular were very annoying. In fifteen minutes the faces of those ex- 
posed would be covered with blood, and on their return to the settle- 
ments their friends did not know them, they had become so disfigured 
During this summer the Raquette river was leveled and found boatable 
as far as the Morris tract, near the present village of Norfolk. Mr. Hall 
employed some persons at the Union in Potsdam, to erect him a house, 
and in the fall returned to New England for his family. Mr. Eben Jud- 
son, from Williston, Vt., and Martin Baiuiey, came on the same year and 
made small beginnings. In March, 1810, Mr. Judson came on with his 
family, and his wife was the first white woman who settled in town. 
They started on the 7th of March, 1810, on the first snow that had fallen 
that loinJer, having been delayed several weeks waiting for snow, and ar- 
rived on the third day from Lake Champlain at the Union, in Potsdam, 
from which they proceeded to their destination. The company con- 



364 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

sisted of 3Ir. and Mrs. Judson and three children, a brother and a brother- 
in-law, and two brothers, Ashbell and John Hall, young men who re- 
mained several months and returned. They had two horse teams, an ox 
team, and a cow. The brother and brother-in-law of Mr. Judson im- 
mediately returned, leaving the family established in their house, which 
was a shanty 10 by 14 feet, built between two hemlock trees. They also 
liad a shed for their cattle, which was an open bower covered by boughs.* 
Mr. Hall and wife arrived four days after. 

In September, 1810, Timothy W. Osborne, from Georgia, Vt., came 
on with a company of eight or ten men, as an agent for Major Bohan 
Shepard, of St. Albans, Vt., and ei-ected a saw mill on Trout brook. The 
secbnd mills were built by Jonathan Culver at a point then called 
Hutchen's falls, in 1812, and were at the lowest place on Raquette river 
ever occupied by mills. It is about three miles below Raymondville. 
They were afterwards burned. Judge Attwater erected the third mills 
in town, on the Morris tract, in the lower part of the present village of 
Norfolk, in the summer of 1816. The first Durham boat ever run on the 
Raquette river, was in this year, and was laden with mill irons, goods, 
and provisions, from Schenectady, sent by Judge Attwater to begin the 
settlement at his mills. It was drawn around Culver's dam, and after- 
wards for one or two seasons performed regular trips every week from 
Culver's to Norfolk, in connection with a line below the dam, which run 
to ports on the St, Lawrence. The latter was required to be regularly 
furnished with clearance papers from the collector of customs. 

Christopher G. Stowe, Martin Barney, Milo Brewer, and several others, 
came in and commenced improvements in 1810, but the families of Hall 
and Judson were the only ones that spent the winter in town. In 1811 
the settlement was increased by several families. The first death was 
that of Mr. Judson, June 29, 1813, Dr. Lemuel Winslow, from Willis- 
ton, Vt., was the first physician ; he located in 1811. The first road to- 
wards Massena, was made in November, 1810, by Hall and Brewer. 
Great expectations were eai-ly based upon the supposed value of the 
navigation of the river, and Judge Raymond, with characteristic enthu- 
siasm, supposed that his location would grow to great importance. A 
village plat east of the river, was surveyed, and named i^ac^e^on, of which 
Spafford, in his Gazetter of 1813, says : 

"The village of Racketon is a new and flourishing settlement, forming 
in the southeast part of the town, at the head of bateaux navigation on 

* Judge Raymond happening to pass soon after, and being belated, accosted the family with 
the facetious remark " that they must be keeping tavern, since they had erected sheds," and 
accepted the humble accoraniodations of hU settlers, witli a good nature and familiarity which 
did orcdit to his character. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 365 

the Raquette river, 20 miles from its confluence with the St. Lawrence. 
At this place, immediately above the landing, is a fall of the waters of 
Raquette river of ahout 15 feet, and excellent accommodations for hy- 
draulic works. Racketon is about 25 miles east of Ogdensburgh; and 
uniting its advantages for good navigation to the St. Lawrence with those 
of its central position, in a rich and fertile country, must become a rich 
and populous place." 

About 1814 a bridge was built, and in 1816 Raymond moved his family 
to the place and remained several years. I'rom him the inhabitants 
named the place Raymondville, and a post office of this name has been 
established. It is however still called the Lower village by many, to 
distinguish it from the Upper village, or Norfolk village proper. The 
place possesses a fine water power, and communicates with the rail 
road at North Potsdam, by a plank road. 

The first settlement at Norfolk village was made in 181G, by Judge 
Russell Attwater, from Russell, who in June, the year previously, pur- 
chased one half of the Morris tract, and the west half of 88 of Louis- 
ville. This tract had been assigned to James D. Le Ray in a j;>artilion of 
lands, and sold by him to G. Morris. A clearing of ten acres had 
been made for Le Ray in the summer of 1811, in the lower part of what 
is now the village of Norfolk, on which in 1812 a crop of wheat was 
raised. A large stone grist mill, with two run of stones was built the 
first year, by Mr. Attwater, on the site of the stone mill of Mr. Sackrider. 
A chapel was fitted up with seats and a desk in the third story of a 
mill, and this was the first accommodation for public worship in town. 

A company styling itself the Phcenix Iron Company, under the 
firm of E. Keyes & Co., was formed Oct. 7, 1825, and the year follow- 
ing, built in the village on the north bank, a furnace for making iron 
from bog ores, which existed abundantly in the swamps of this and 
neighboring towns. It passed through several hands and run about two 
hundred days in a year, till 1844, when it was burned by an incendiary. 
It produced about twelve tons daily, and was lined with sandstone, from 
Potsdam and Hopkinton. In 1846 a forge was built by Wm. Blake 
a little above the furnace, and run two or three years, until it was 
burned. 

The village of Norfolk, possesses manufacturing facilities which are 
destined to render it a place of much importance. The Raquette river 
here has a descent of about 70 feet within a mile, passing over three 
dams ah-eady erected, and affording opportunity, for at least four more, 
at each of which the whole volume of the river could be used. Below 
the upper dam, the channel is divided by an island of about two acres in 
extent, which affords facilities for the erection of dams at its head and 
at its foot, and the water could be diverted to either side or used upon 
both sides of the island and the main shore. At the foot of the island 
the river tiu-as to the left, and the bank ou the iu&ide of tke bend islow 



366 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and flat, and but little elevated above high water mark, while that on 
the outside of the bend is an elevated plain of easy ascent, and abruptly 
terminating upon the river. This elevated bank continues with a slight 
interruption to below the village. The left bank of the river is low, 
and on this the main part of t!ie village is at present built. Throughout 
the whole extent, the bed of the river is formed of limestone, affording 
at the same time a secure foundation for building, and the materials for 
the erection of walls. Lime made from this stone is of good quality. 

It is by plank road three miles distant from the Potsdam station, and 
the same distance to Knapp's station. At the time of writing, there ex- 
ists a stone grist mill, with three run of stones, three saw mills, one 
planing machine eight shingle factories, a tannery, a woolen factory, a 
trip hammer, a furnace, and several other manufactories using water 
power. At none of the dams now erected is the entire water privilege 
occupied. 

The town of Norfolk and especially the village of Raymondville, pos- 
sesses great natural advantages for the manufacture of brick, which are 
of superior quality. Their durability and hardness is probably due to 
the clay of which they are made, and of which an account will be given 
in the chapter on the geology of the county. 

JYorfolk Union Library was incorporated May 25, 1834. Philander 
Kellogg, Wm. Gi'andy, Hiram G. Francis, Denis Kingsbury, Daniel 
Small, John W. Williams, and Nathaniel Brewer, trustees. 

Religious Societies. — Meetings were held in the lower part of the town 
almost immediately after it was settled. 

Neither Mr. Hall, nor Mr. Jordan wei-e members of church, but be- 
lieving that the observance of the sabbath conduced to morality, they 
soon after their arrival agreed to hold religious meetings alternately at 
the house of each, at which a sermon should be read, and that their 
families should not remain and visit after the meeting was dismissed. 
Occasionally others of the settlers would come in on the sabbath, and 
these weekly unions were kept up for some time, when one Montague, 
who came on with others, to build a mill on Trout Brook, having heard 
of these meetings, attended, and was the first worshiper who could sing 
and pray; and thenceforth they lacked none of the elements requisite in 
the pi'otestant worship. In 1811, Seth Burt, a missionary from Massa- 
chusetts, came and left books. The Rev. James Johnson, from Potsdam, 
and the Rev. Mr. Winchester, from Madrid, occasionally visited the 
town, and held meetings in the vicinity of the present village of Ray- 
mondville. After Mr. Attwater's arrival in 1816, as soon as circumstances 
would admit, the upper story of his grist mill was fitted up for the pur- 
pose of divine worship, according to the rites and doctrines of the 
Episcopal church. Here he ofiBciated for several years as a lay reader, 
and succeeded in making a few individuals acquainted with the doc- 
trines of the church, among these was one who is now an able and 
honored bishop of the church, the Rt. Rev. L. Siliman Ives, D. D., of 
North Carolina. The parish of Grace church, in Norfolk was first 
organized in the year 1825, by the Rev. Seth M. Beardsley, then acting 
as missionary in the country, who also made an unsuccessful attempt to 
build a church. He was succeeded by the Rev. Hiram Adams, in 1828, 
and by the Rev. Henry Attwater in 1829. From July 1836, to March 
1842, the public serviceis of the church were discontinued, with the ex- 
ception of occasional lay reading, and owing to the want of a clergy- 
man, and the removal of several families, the organization of the parish 
was lost. A reorganization took place March 29, J 842, when the Rev 
John A. Cbilds, began~to ofBciate as missionary. During the two years 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 367 

in which he ministered in this place, another effort was made to build a 
church but failed. In 1845, the Rev. John H. Hanson, the present mis- 
sionary, was engaged by the parish. On July 30th, the corner stoue of 
a church was laid by the Rt. Rev. Wm. H. Delancy, D. D., Bishop of 
Western New York, in a lot of ground pin-chased by the vestry, and sit- 
uated in the centre of the village. The church thus begun, was fully 
enclosed in 1849, but is not yet completed within. It has cost about 
$2000 and will require about half as much more to complete it after the 
original design. It is after the Elizabethean style of church architecture, 
is 70 feet in length, including the porch, fifty feet across the transept and 
twenty-two across the nave. The ridge is thirty-four feet high. The 
walls are of stone and very massive, and the whole wants but the moss 
and the ivy to give it an ap[)earance of venerable antiquity, consonant 
with the purposes for which it was erected. This is the only gothic 
edifice in St. Lawi'ence or Franklin counties. 

The Presbyterian church so called, being Congregational in form, was 
organized July 1, J 817, by Rev. Royal Phelps, of the Cayuga Presbytery, 
then acting as a missionary, assisted Rev. John Ransom, of Hopkinton, 
at first of 17 members. The meetings were first held in the loft of a 
mill, and afterwards in the chamber of the tavern of J. Langworthy, and 
in the school house. The stated supplies have been numerous. The 
Rev. Adolphus Taylor, after preaching several years, died here. Loring 
Brewster was installed 1st pastor, April 28, 1828, and G. B. Rowley the 
present pastor, from whom these facts are received, Nov. 10, 1847. The 
society was incorporatect Feb. 20, 1828, G. C. Stowe, Martin Beach, E. 
S. Tambling, Wm. Blake, Philemon Kellogg, and John C. Putnam, 
trustees. Reorganized Dec. 12, 1840. A meeting house was built in 
1840, at a cost of $4000, and the church numbers now 153. The church 
of Raymondville, was a colony from this, and their brick meeting house 
was finished and dedicated in 1844, at a cost of $3000, and soon after, a 
bell of 300lbs, was placed in it. Rev. Moses Ordway was the first resi- 
dent minister. The Methodists organized a society, April 19, 1831, with 
Royal Sheldon, Lucius Chandler, Justice Webber, Hiram Johnson, and 
Ebenezer Houghton, trustees. They reorganized, Feb. 10, 1840, and in 
that year built their present chapel in Norfolk village. 

OSWEGATCHIE. 

Incorporated with the county, March 3, 1802, from Lisbon. The town 
records were destroyed, April 17, 1839, in the great fire at Ogdensburgh, 
and the following list of supei-visors is partly made up from other 
sources than the records. 

Supervisors. — 1802, and for several years, Nathan Ford; 1814-23, 
Louis Hasbrouck; 1825-8, Sylvester Gilbert; 1829, Washington Ford; 
1830, Jacob Arnold: 1831, Baron S. Doty; 1832-4, Preston King; 1835, 
Joseph W.Smith; 1836, Royal Vilas; 1838, Baron S. Doty; 1839-44, 
Geo. W. Shepard ; 1845-52, Geo. M. Foster. 

Settlements were began here under Samuel Ogden, the proprietor, by 
Nathan Ford, his agent, in 1796, who on the 11th July, 1797, was made 
his attorney, to sell lands. It had been the intention to commence 
earlier, but possession' of Fort Oswegatchie could not be got. Under 
the British administration, parties from Canada having obtained from 



368 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the Oswegatchie Indians, leases of extensive tracts of land in this town, 
had commenced improvements, and were occni)ying them wiien first 
known to the purchasers. As the history of tliese spurious titles pos- 
sesses much interest, we will here insert one or two of them. 

" To all people to whom these presents shall come; Ogentago, Dowa- 
sunduh, Saliundarish, and Canadaha, the four representatives of the 
Indian village of Osvvegatchie, have this day, by and with the advice of 
the whole nation, being duly assembled in full council of the whole tribe 
or nation, as above mentioned. Men, Women and Children being all pre- 
sent, have this day bargained, agreed, and to farme let for ever, to Major 
Watson, of Osvvegatchie, and to his heirs and assfgnes for ever, all that 
tract or parcel of Land, Situate, Lying, and Being, on the South Side of 
the River St. Lawrence, Beginning at the northwest corner of a tract of 
land granted to Daniel Smith, and running up along the stream of the 
river one League, or three English miles; thence Kast South-east from 
the Lake or River, into the woods three Leagues or Nine English Miles, 
thence Northeast one League or three English miles, thence North North 
west three Leagues or Nine English Miles, along the Line of said Daniel 
Smith to the place of Beginning, at the River Keeping the breadth of 
one League or three English miles, from the front of the River with 
Nine Miles in Depth; to him, his heirs and assigns, with the appurte- 
nances thereunto Belonging, or anywise appertaining to him the Said 
Major Watson his heirs and assigns for ever, for the yearly Rents and 
Covenants herein Reserved to the above Ogentago, Dowasundah, Sahun- 
darish and Canadaha, their heirs and successors or assigns, forever; to 
be yearly and Every year after the day of the date hearof, and to com- 
mence on the first day of December, one thousand Seven hundred and 
ninety three, the sum of Twenty Spanish Mill'd Dollars, thirteen and one 
third Bushels of wheat, and thirty three and one third pounds of pork, 
to be paid on the premices by the said Major Watson, his Heirs, Execu- 
tors, administrators and assigns, to the above forementioned representa- 
tives, their heirs or assigns, if legally demanded on the premises, they 
giving sufficient discharges for the same, every year, hereafter, as the 
same rent becomes due. Now therefore this Indentiu'e witnesseth, that 
the above Ogentago, Dowasunda, Sahundarish, and Canadaha, the four 
Representatives of the above mentioned village, and being the true and 
lawful owners of the above described Lands, and for, and in considera- 
ation of the yearly Rents and Covenants above mentioned, the receipt 
whereof they do here acknowledge, hath granted Bargained aliened 
released and confirmed, and by these presents doth, fully, freely, and 
Absolutely, do grant. Bargain, and sell; alien, Release, and Confirm, 
unto the said Major Watson, his heirs and assigns for ever all the Title, 
Interest, Property, Claim, and Demand, of and unto, the above mention- 
ed Land, and premises, together with all the Trees, Timber, woods, 
jjonds, ])ools, water, water courses, and streams of water, fishing, fowl- 
ing, hawking, and hunting. Mines and Minerals, Standing, growing. 
Lying, and Being, or to be had, used, and enjoyed within the limits and 
Bounds aforesaid, and all other profits. Benefits, Liberties, privdedges, 
heriditiments, and appurtunanceys to the same Belonging, or in anywise 
appertaining, to have, and to hold, all the aforesaid Land, and premises, 
to the said Major Watson, his heirs, and assigns, to the proper use Bene- 
fit and Behoof of him, the said Major Watson, his Heirs and assigns for 
ever. So that neither of them the said Releasors nor their heirs or any 
other person or persons whatsoever for them or either of thero, iu th«ir 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



369 



or either of their Names or write, Shall, or May, by any ways or means 
whatsoever, at any time hereafter. Claim, Challenge, or demand any 
Estate Right Title Interest, of, in, or to, the said above released premices, 
or any paj-t thereof. But from all and every action and actions. Estate, 
Right, title. Claim, and Demand, of any kind, of, in, or to, the said pre- 
mises, or any part thereof they and Every of them, Shall be for ever 
Boimd, by thease presents, and thay, and fc^very of them, the above said 
premises, with tlie apportunances to the said Major Watson, his heirs 
and assigns, shall, and will, for Ever Warrant and Defend. In Witness 
whereof, they have hearunto Set their Hands, and Seals, the Twenty 
Second day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun- 
dred*^nd ninety two. 

Sealed and Delivered 
in the Presents off. 



Seuhawe x his Mark. 

Sahieh x his Mark. ^ 

Henry Galton. 

Chrest. Swansiehton. 

Ogentago x his Mark. l. s. 

Dowasundah, x his Mark. l. s. 

Sawhundarish, x his Mark. h. s. 

Canadaha. x his Mark. i. s. 




T. B. A true Coppy. 

Endorsement on Preceding.— Be it for Ever hereafter Remembered, that 
the chiefs of the Oswegatchie Nation, have received of Major Watson, 
Jared Seeley, and Daniel Smith, and John Livingston, an actual pay- 
nient for the consideration contained in the Deeds executed by us and 
our fathers, comprehending ten miles on the river St. Lawrence, with 
nine miles back into the woods: we say received the rent in full, lor the 
year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, agree- 
able to the conditions of the within Lease or Deed, and the said parteys 
are hear by Regularly Discharged for the same, as witnesses our hands. 



Candaha. 



Witness present, 
Amos Ansley. 




mark. 



Lashalagenhas, ><* his mark. 
LewuDgelass) X bis mark. 



370 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Onatchateyent, Totagoines,. Onarios, Tiotaasera, Aonacta, Gatemontie, 
Ganonsentlie and Oneiite, Oswegatchie chiefs, at Grenville, U. C, June 
], 1795, in the j)iesence of Joseph Anderson, John Stignian and 
Ephraitn Jones, confirmed to Catharine and Frances, the wife and son of 
Capt. Verneuil Lorimier, a verbal lease, executed in 1785, of a tract on the 
south shore, half a mile on ■each side of the small river called Black 
river, and up to Black lake, for the yearly rent of one hundred silver 
dollars, or money equivalent thereto. This was a full warranty deed 
with covenant. Lorimier had been a French officer in command of Fort 
Presentation, and a tradition I'elates that he also possessed a French title, 
which with otiier papers, were scattered and lost in a gale of wind that 
unroofed his house.* It having been reported the St. Regis Indians dis- 
countenanced these proceedings. Watson and his associates wrote to 
them on the subject, and received the following answer, dated at St. 
Regis, April 10, 1795. 

" Sir — We were favored with yoin- letter of the 9 March, and we 
have to inform you that no Indian of St. Regis ever will molest or trouble 
you on your present possession. You pay our brothers of the Oswe- 
gatchie, a tolerable rent, and as long as you will make good payment of 
the same rent to our brothers, who are the same in all respects as our- 
selves, we shall and ever will be happy to keep you in full possession; do 
not ever believe any thing to the contrary from any person whatever. 
We are with esteem, your brothers and friends, 

Tharonhiageton, Ononsagenra, 

Assorontonkota, Tionategekha. 

for ourselves and others of our village of St. Regis." 

To still further substantiate their title, the lessees from the Indians pro- 
cured of the commandent of the Fort at Oswegatchie, a permit to locate 
upon and occupy the tracts included in their leases. This document is 
given below, in the orthography and punctuation of the original. 

"This is to cartifye that John Levingston Daniel Smith, Major Watson 
and Jered Seley have made a purchase of a tract of land from the Indians 
of the Oswegatchie within the Jurisdiction of the British post of Oswe- 
gatchie, I having examined said purchase and find it to be a fair one 
therefore the said John Levingston Daniel Smith Major Watson and Jered 
Seley are hereby ortherized to settle cultivate and improve the saim and 
I as cummanding officer of said post Do hereby Ratifie and Confirm said 
purchase and promis the Kings protection to them and Their associates 
Witness my hand And seal Don at oswegatchie this Tenth Day of June 
one thousand seven hundred ninty four 

Richard Porter. L. S." 

By virtue of these titles, and under protection of the British flag, a 
saw mill was erected west of the Oswegatchie, near its mouth, and the 
business of lumbering was commenced and prosecuted with spirit, under 
which the majestic forests so often alluded to in our first chapter, began 
rapidly to disappear; and these operations extended to the whole river 
front and the tributaries of the great river, capable of floating spars and 
rafts. 

The following correspondence in i-elation to these claims and trespas- 
ses, passed several years befoi-e settlements were attempted: 

♦Stated on the authority of Wm. E, Guest, Esq., of Oadensburffh, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 371 

Neav York, Nov. 1, 1793. 
His Excellency George Clinton, Esquire : 

Myself and associates, owners of ten townships of land lyinjr on the 
east side of the river St. Lawrence, having had the honor of addressing 
you on the 2d of September, 1792, and stating to you as the head of the 
executive of this state, certain representations of trespasses daily com- 
mitted on said townships, by subjects of the government of Great Britain, 
in hopes that through your aid some measures would be taken, either by 
the government of the state, or by the general government, to put a stop 
to the great evil of which we complained. But finding from good in- 
formation that the trespass was not only continued, but very much in- 
creased, I conceived it for the interest of myself and the other gentlemen 
concerned, to take a journey to that country, as well to establish the facts 
contained in that letter, as to endeavor by making a representation 
thereof to the governor of Canada, to have an immediate stoj) put to the 
evil. How far my expectations have been realized, your excellency will 
judge from a perusal of the copies hereto annexed, of the letters which 
passed between Governor Simcoe, my Lord Dorchester, and myself. 

You will allow me in behalf of myself andassociates, to aver to you, 
that all the facts contained in our letter to you, as well as those contained 
in ray letter to Governor Simcoe, and my Lord Dorciiester, are true, and 
I trust you will readily see the necessity of some itnmediate and spirited 
measures :o stop the trespass, or the greater of all our valuable timber 
will be destroyed, and carried out of the United States by a set of men 
whose only motive is to plunder and destroy. Our title under the state 
we know to be good, and we conceive we have every just claim for pro- 
tection and indemnity from it. It is now upwards of eight years that we 
paid into the public treasury a large sum of money for this tract of coun- 
try, under full expectation that we might make peaceable settlements 
thereon : But unfortunately for our interests, we are not only prevented 
by the British government from settling those lands, but the subjects 
thei-eof have already robbed us of the most valuable part of that property. 
It is the apprehension of consequences of a public nature, that restrains 
us from appealing to the law of the state for the jirotection of that pro- 
perty. There can be no doubt but that the justice of the legislature 
ought to give us an ample indemnity for our sufferings. How far then 
it may be proper for us through you, to make a representation of the 
hardships under which we labor to it, at the ap|)roaching session, is with 
much respect submitted to your wisdom, and we well knowing yoni 
anxiety for the dignity of the state, and the interests of its individuals, 
have no doubt that you will do every thing that may be proper in the 
premises. 

I have the honor to be your most obedient humble servant, 

Sam'l Ogden. 

York, Upper Canada, August 31, 1793. 
" His Excellency John G. Simcoe, Esq. : 

"Sir — Having obtained under the state of New York, a title to a large 
tract of land lying on the southeast side of the River St. Lawrence, at or 
about Oswegatchie, and being informed that many persons calling them- 
selves subjects of your government, are daily committing great trespass 
on said tract of land, by cutting and transporting to Montreal large 
quantities of timber therefrom, I beg leave to represent the same to your 
excellency, in full confidence that your interposition will put an imme- 
diate stop to such proceedings as tend very much to my injury. It may 



372 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

not be improper to add, that previous to my leaving New York, I w^as 
advised, and well knew, that the executive of that state would, on my 
application, give his immediate aid for the protection of this property. 
But conceiving such an operation would involve a governmental question 
(which for very obvious reasons I conceive at this time ought to be 
avoided), at great expense and fatigue, I undertook a journey to this 
country, that I might make this representation to your excellency pre- 
vious to any other measures being taken in the premises. 
I have the honor to be, &c., 

Sam'l Ogden." 

York, August 31, 1793. 
" Samuel Ogden, Esquire : 

Sir — •! am just favored with your letter of the 31st of August; I beg 
leave to observe to you, that last autumn on the representation of the 
Oswegatchie Indians, the magistrates of the town of Augusta, warned 
some of his majesty's subjects to quit those very lands. I apprehend 
you claim under a title from the state of New York. In regard to your 
intimation that the executive of the state of New York, would give its 
immediate aid for the protection of this property, I have to observe that 
you are perfectly just in your observation that such would be a govern- 
mental question, inasmuch as it is obvious to all there is no treat)/ line, 
nor can be reasonably expected to be acknowledged by Great Britain, until 
the prior articles of the treaty shall be fulfilled by the United States. 
But in the immediate point of view, as this question does not concern 
his majesty's subjects, who have already been forbidden at the request 
of the Indians claiming the land, to form settlements on that side of the 
liver, I can only refer you to his excellency the commander-in-chief, for 
any further ex[)lanations you require, to whom your very liberal princi- 
ples as expressed in your letters which I shall transmit to him, can not 
but be highly recommendatory, and impr^s those sentiments of i*espect, 
with which I am your obedient servant, 

J. G. SiMCOE, 

Lt. Gov'r Upper Canada." 

Quebec, September 29, 1793. 

" His Excellency Guy Lord Carlton, Governor General, S^c, : 

My Lord — His excellency, Governor Siincoe, having in his letter to 
me of the 31st of August, referred me to your lordship on the subject 
about which I wrote him, I beg leave to address you thereon, and to in- 
close you for your information that correspondence, and a representation 
of some facts, which came to my knowledge since writing to Governor 
Simcoe. On examining the tract of country which I own, I found the 
most wanton and excessive waste of timber imaginable, so nuich so, 
that I conceive injury already committed to the amount of many thousand 
pounds. I found also, a large saw mill building, within two or three 
hundred yards of the fort of Oswegatchie, which if persisted in will de- 
stroy the most valuable tract of timber in all that country. This mill is 
building by Verne Francis Lorimier, a half pay captain, who lives oppo- 
site my tract on the western side of the river, with whom I had a con- 
versation on the subject. After producing a copy of the records of New 
York, shewing my title to these lands, and representing the injury that 
would arise to me from the waste of timber which the mill would occa- 
sion, I offered in order to prevent any further difficulty, to pay him his 
disbursements in case he would desist. This he refused, and informed 



' AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 373 

me that be was condnctor of the Indians, on whose lands it was, and 
that so long as one of them were alive, he should possess the mill. Tliis 
gentleman being in the employ of your government, for Indian affairs, 
or agency, and under that pretence is in the constant practice of selling 
large quantities of timber. It is not my business, my lord, to discuss any 
question of a public nature. I shall not, therefore, attempt to reason as 
to the right the Indians may have to those lands (which 1 am informed 
by the governor of New York have been long since purchased of them); 
on the propriety of the detention of the post at Oswegatchie, or on the 
recent establishment of an Indian village on my lands. Yet I can not help 
observing that no claim of title can in the courts of JVeiv York, justify 
those trespasses on my pro[)erty, which the state stands bound to pro- 
tect me in. I presume your goodness will excuse the earnest importu- 
nity of an individual who conceives himself a great sufferer, and feels a 
most anxious desire from various motives, that your interposition may 
prevent any further settlement or waste being committed on those lands, 
until the question of the posts, shall by the two governments be finally 
adjusted and settled. 

I have the honor to be, your lordship's most obed't serv't, 

Sam'l Ogden. 

In the summer of 1795, Mr. Ford was sent by Ogden to take further 

measures to obtain possession, and commence a settlement. His letter 

of instructions, dated Perth Aniboy, July 12, 1795, will be read with 

interest. 

" Dear JVathan. — By this opportunity I have written again to my bro- 
ther * on the subject of his application to my Lord Dorchester, and have 
told him that you would stay a few days at Montreal, and requested him 
to comnumicate to you there (to the care of Mr. Forsyth) his lordshi[)'s 
determination. Now in case of his giving you permission to repair one 
or more of the houses, and placing inhabitants therein, j'ou will then, 
while at Oswegatchie, make, with the advice of Major Drumniond, the 
necessary arrangements, and prociu'e some proper person to move 
therein as my tenant. The importance of this, you will see, and it may 
become a question, whether you had not better in this case, return from 
Toronto via Oswegatchie, and spend some weeks, or perhaps months there, 
this summer and autumn, so as to prepare and arrange things for your 
reception next spring. If you should succeed in the idea 1 gave jou, 
respecting the saw mill, then it ought to be kept diligently at work in 
sawing pine boards and shingles proper for the buildings we mean to 
erect next year, which ought to be carefully set up when sawed, so as to 
be seasoned for use next summer. Can not you, by some means or 
other, possess yourself of a particular account of the distance and route 
from Oswegatchie up the river and lake, and so on to Fort Stanvvix, or 
such route as the nearest direction may lead to? In doing this, attend 
to the following queries: 1. What falls of water between the Oswe- 
gatchie and the lake? 2. What distance from the fort to the lake? 
•what streams put in and where? with a full descrij)tion of lands, mea- 
dows, swamps, &c. Be very particular as to this. 3. A very particidar 
description of the lake, as well as the outlet, and the land around its 
margin, with an estimate of its dimensions and course, so that we may 

* The Hon. Isaac Ogden, of Montreal, who became a loyalist in ihe revolution, and after, 
wards filled a high judicial station in Canada. 



374 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

form an estimate of its situation in the townships. Estimate its course 
will) that of the great rivers. 4. What streams run up into the lake, 
and wliat water communication leads from towards Fort Stanwix, and 
wiiat may be the supposed distance? .5. In your description of land, 
attend to timber, limestone, intervale, bog meadow, swamps, &c. Let 
your observations be made in writing, and do not spare jjaper. Perhaps 
a few dollars laid out in presents to tlie Oswegatchie Indians would be 
useful. You will procure from the commanding officer, at Montreal, a 
letter of introduction to the serjeant at Oswegatchie. This will become 
very necessary. Col. Gorden and Col. McDonald, if at Montreal, will 
aid you in this. 

My health is mending. God bless you. 

Sam'l Ogden. 

Major Ford. 

In answer to the foregoing, the following letter was x'eturned, dated 
Kingston, Aug. 28, 1795: 

^^ Dear Sir: — I have this moment received your letter dated July 12th. 
Its contents shall be attended to. I wrote you the 2d and 7th inst., both 
of which I hope you have received. I left Montreal the 9th for Niagara; 
on my way I paid Oswegatchie a visit, and was much surprised to find 
the dam so completely out of repair. The north end of the dam is to- 
tally gone for fifteen or twenty feet, and all the gravel is off the dam, — 
indeed it does not appear there ever was any great quantity upon it. 
Such another built dam I never saw. It looks more like an old log house 
than it does like a dam. There is a kind of crib work built up, which 
supports logs, set nearly perpendicular, without having even the bark 
taken off, and chinked exactly like a log house. It appears there has 
been a little gravel thrown on but there is scarce a trace of it left. 

Nothing has been done this summer, and I doubt much if they do re- 
pair. Honniwell has sold out to Lorimier, and he has rented to a num- 
ber of people, and so confused a piece of business as it is, I never saw. 
There is no person about the place that can give me the whole history 
of the business. Honniwell is not at home, or I could have known all 
about it. I was happy to find that most of the people upon the other 
side are glad to find that a settlement is to be made, and many intend 
coming over. I did not go to see Lorimier, and for this reason. After 
conversing with Mr. Farrand fully upon this subject, we finally con- 
cluded it would be best for me to show the greatest indifference, merely 
call at the mill, look at the fort, and take care to impress the idea fully 
upon whoever I talked with, that by the treaty the fort was to be given 
up in June, that there would be a garrison sent there ; that settlers would 
be brought on and business commenced extensively. This I have done 
ina way that I hope will have its desired effect. In my absence, Mr. 
Farrand will make business at Oswegatchie, and sound Lorimier on the 
subject, and if possible make him apply for terms. If he can be brought 
to this state, a negociation may be had upon better terms than if I should 
apply to him. Mr. Farrand concurred fully in this idea, and thinks it 
the most probable way to accomplish our wishes. Loromier's circum- 
stances are in a very embarrassed state, the mill, together with the farm, 
are mortgaged to Honniwell, and many other demands are rising up 
against the estate. My intention is to return to Oswegatchie, if I keep 
my health (which thank God was never better). I intend leaving my 
baggage, and find my way through the woods to the Little falls. This 
idea I suggested to you in a former letter. Never was any body more 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 375 

unfortunate than I have been in passages. I had a long passage up the 
North river and a long passage to St. Johns, was detained longer at 
Montreal than was necessary, lor want of a convejance up the river; a 

a long passage up the river, and as the d 1 must have it so, arrived 

here only two hours too late for a passage to Niagara, and this is the ninth 
day I have been here wind bound, and what is more than all, a packet 
which arrived two days ago from Niagara, brings word that the governor 
left that place six days ago for Long Point, at which place his stay is very 
uncertain. I shall go on to Niagara, and if I do not find his i-eturn cer- 
tain in a short time, I shall go on to Fort Erie, and there hire an Indian 
to take me on in a birch canoe, until I find him. I think this will be saving 
time. The whole time I have been at this place, is completely lost, for 
I durst not be out of the way for fear the wind should come fair, in 
which case the vessel would leave me. Were not this the case, I 
should have visited the isle of Taunty, and the Grand isle.* All this 
must be left until I return. I beljeve there will be no doubt of a law 
suit respecting Grand isle. I have been to the mills upon the Thames, 
and find them very much out of repair. My time was so short that I 
could not get a very full account about them and the land. I shall see 
them again. The greatest object of all is the fixing of the Oswegatchie 
business, and no stone shall be unturned to bring this to a happy issue. 
Mr. Farrand tells me, that Lorimier relies upon a French title which he 
says he has. This Mr. Farrand will get a sight of, and should it be 
worth any thing, a negociation will be more necessary. Mr. Farrand 
will be in full possession of all the business against my return, (which I 
shall make as speedy as possible,) and which I shall not leave until I see 
an end of. The boat which is going to Montreal is waiting for this, and 
hurries me so that I have not time to write you as fully as you wish. 

N. Ford. 
Col. Ogden, JVewark. 

Newark, in Upper Canada, Sept. 10, 1795. 
Dear Sir: — I wrote you from Kingston, the 20th of August, which 1 
hope you have received. In that I mentioned my ill luck in not arriving 
at Kingston a few hours sooner, which would have made me in time to 
have taken passage in the packet, by which misfortune I was detained at 
Kingston, from the 19th of August to the 1st September, and after 
another gun-hoat voyage of six days arrived at this place, where I am 
now detained by the governors not having returned from Long Point, 
from whence he is daily expected. I shall transact my business with 
him as soon after his return as possible, and return to Oswegatchie im- 
mediately, when I hope to settle that business. Should I not be so for- 
tunate as to obtain leave of the governor to repair the houses, that will 
not prevent my negotiating with Lorimier. Mr. Farrand will have taken 
the necessary measures for bringing about a negotiation. I have this day 
written him, to meet me at Oswegatchie on my return. I take it for 
granted you have received all my former letters, which contain all the 

* Mr. Ford was commissioned by Col. Ogden. and Nicholas Low, to make inquires into the 
titles and lerms of these islands, and purchase them of Sir John Johnson, ni the name of 
Alex'r Wallace an Eno-lishman. (as they say in Canada), on speculation. He was authorized 
to ofler £20110 sterling tor the isle of Taute. Eleven families had been settleTI three years upon 
it. Grand isle had been purchased at Montreal from Mr. Curot, a Frenchman (who held it 
under a grant from the kin? of France) for £500 with a further sum ot quarter dollar per 
acre, -when the title was established Tnese purchases were not made by Mr. Ford He ei- 
aniuied them and made very full reporis upon soil, timber &c., whuh are preserved with hi» 
papers." P. H. H. 

24 



376 HITSORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

information I have. I will write you thence by way of Montreal, and 
inform you of my success with his excellency. Unless something very 
unforseen takes place I shall undoubtedly leave my bajrgage at Oswe- 
fjatchie, and go through the woods to the Mohawk river, I am of 
opinion that it will be best to strike the river as low down as the Little 
fills, which is said to be 120 miles from Oswegatchie. I am sorry to 
tell you, it is a very sickly season in this province; never was it more so, 
but f am very happy to add that it is less so about Oswegatchie. That 
part is looked upon to be the most healthy of any in Upper Canada. 
Should I pass through this country without a touch, I shall be peculiarly 
fortunate. It is said here that strangers are scarce ever exempt. I 
hope to reach the Fort in a state to be able to undertake the proposed 
march. I should recommend to you, not to sell before I return. I think 
there can be no doubt of those lands settling very fast. I hope to give 
you a very satisfactory account of them on my return. I have this mo- 
ment heard that the governor is at Fort Erie, on his return. Believe me 
to be your very humble servant. 

N. Ford. 

Mr. Ford, in a letter dated Kingston, Sept. 23, 1795, mentioned that 
the governor had returned sick, and that his business could only be set- 
tled in council. He again states his intention of traversing the woods to 
the Mohawk, but it is not known whether this design was carried into 
effect. Jay's treaty, which was finally ratified in February, 1796, pro- 
vided in its second articles, that his majesty's troops should be with- 
drawn from all posts within the states, on or before the 1st of June ; the 
pi'operty of British subjects being secured to them by the pledge of the 
government, and they were to be free to remain or go as they saw fit. 

The signature of the treaty having at length rendered it certain, that 
the surrender of Fort Oswegatchie would remove the last obstacle which 
had for several years hindered the settlement of Northern New York, 
Mr. Ford at length started with a company of men, a few goods, and 
articles of prime necessity, for a new settlement, with the design to re- 
pair or rebuild the dam and mills on the Oswegatchie, and sui-vey and 
settle the country. As a guide for his operations, the proprietor drew up 
the following memorandum of instructions, which embody the designs 
and wishes of Col. Ogden, in relation to the new setdement: 

" On your arrival at Oswegatchie, endeavor in as amicable a manner 
as possible, to gain immediate possession of the works, mills, and town. 
If difficulties do arise, you will of course exercise the best of your judg- 
ment and discretion, in order to remove them. This, perhaps, may be 
done best by soothing measures; perhaps by threats and perhaps by 
bribes, as to which, it must be entii"ely submitted to your judgment, as 
circumstances may turn up. It seems certain that you will have no diffi- 
culty in obtaining possession of the fort and works. These, therefoi-e, 
I presume you will immediately possess. The mills seem the great dif- 
ficulty, for which you will make every exertion after you have possession 
of the fort. After you have obtained possession of the mills, you will 
immediately commence the repairs thereof^ so as to have the saw mill at 
work this autumn before you leave it. As to the manner of repairing 
the dam, it must be left to your own judgment. I must however recom- 
mend it to your particular attention, to have it solidly placed and Avell 
filled in with stone, and graveled, so as to render it permanent and se- 
cure. Perhaps it may be best for this fall's operation, to place the whole 
of the saw mill on the same site as it formerly stood, observing, how- 
ever, that in our next summer's operations we shall place many other 



ANP FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 377 

works on the same dam, and that those works must be carried so far down 
the river as to be placed on the navigable water, so that vessels may come 
to them to load and unload. If the old mill is destroyed, and you find 
that a new one ir>ust be constructed, I would recommend that you con- 
struct it so as to saw plank or timber of forty feet long. You will ex- 
ercise your own judgment as to what repairs it may be proper for you 
to put on any of the buildings at the old fort. It strikes me that it will 
be best to repair the old stone houses, and as many of the frame as may 
be found sound and free from decay. Of this, however, you will be able 
to judge after a careful inspection thereof Should you meet with any 
difficulty with the Indians who live below, send a letter to Mr. F * * * and 
enclosing one to Grey, (the interpreter), who lives at St. Reeris; de- 
sire Grey to come up to you, and with him fall on such measures as 
may be proper for an accommodation. 

If on experiment you find that a further supply of goods will be ad- 
vantageous this autumn, write me so, and send me a memorandum 
thereof, so that I may forward them to you. If on experiment you find 
that any particular article of commerce will answer a good and speedy 
remittance, you will be very early in your communications to me thereof, 
and it is probable that you may point out the best and most expeditious 
manner of transporting the same. 

It may be, that certain articles of remittance may offer, which it maybe 
proper to send to Montreal for sale, in which case you will forward them 
to the care and direction of Thomas Forsyth, of that place, taking care 
to give him written instructions how to dispose thereof, and always re- 
member in your lettei- book to keep regular copies of all your letters. Your 
sett of books must be regularly kept, so as to shew a very exact account 
of all expenditures and disbursements, so that every shilling may be ex- 
plained and accounted for. Write me from Schenectady the result of 
your conversation with Tibbets, so that I may endeavor to fall on some 
measures for the completing that object. If on examination you find 
any tract of land without my purchase, and which you believe to be an 
object worth our attention, write me a full account thereof, and enable me 
to take it if it should be found an object. Mr. Grey gave me some rea 
son to believe he could find a mine of iron ore, within our ten town- 
ships. Pray extend your researches thereafter as early as possible, as it 
IS very important that we should at as early a period as possible com- 
mence our iron work operation, and nothing can he done until the ore 
be found The letters I forward you from hence, I shall forward to the 
care of D. Hale, Albany; any which you may write to me, (not by the 
post), you will also direct to his care. 

July 12th, 1796. S. Ogden." 

Mr. Ford left New York in July, 1796, and on the 18th arrived at Al- 
bany, and crossed with teams to Schenectady, where he met Mr. Day and 
John Lyon,* men whom he had employed to come with him, together 
with Thomas Lee, carpenter, and Dick, a negro slave who was owned 
by Mr. Ford. These were considered sufficient to man one boat. To 
hire another would cost £85 to Oswegatchie, besides porterage and lock 
fees, which would amount to £5 more. Of the boatmen, Mr. Ford re- 
marked : " So abandoned a set of rascals as the boatmen at this place are, 
I never saw." Instead of complying with their demand he bought a four 
handed boat, and tried to hire men by the day, but here he was again 
met with a coalition, and was obliged to pay high wages to his hands. 

* Mr. Lyon died in February, 1834, at the age of SI. 



378 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

So impressed was he with the impositions and exactions that thus ob- 
structed the fjateway to tlie great west, that he predicted that at no distant 
day, if a change for tiie better did not soon occur, " the western country 
would seek a market in Montreal, rather than submit to the exactions of 
tiiese men," Could a prophetic vision but have carried him forward 
through but half a century, and placed him on that very spot, where lie 
could have seen the throbs of tiiose nnglity arteries which transmit the 
wealth of millions along their channels, and on their iron tracks, in obe- 
dience to the electric message, and the beautiful Mohawk reduced to an 
insignificant stream, from the withdrawal of its waters, by the canals; 
the senses must have failed to impart to the understanding the vastness 
of the change, and the bewildered eye would have gazed without com- 
prehension upon the scene, as belonging to a dream! 

Is an equal change reserved for the coming half century? 

Mr. Ford having purchased a boat for £16, prepared to leave the town, 
and the journal of his voyage will give the incidents which occurred, 
with much vividness, and will here be quoted: 

" Left Schenectada on Friday, 22d July, 1796, at 2 o'clock, with two 
boats, for Oswegatchie; proceeded up the river as far as Maby's tavern, 
where he lodged, distance, 6 miles, 23d. Set out early in the morning, 
and got as far as Mill's tavern, where we lodged, distance 10 miles; had 
a very heavy shower this afternoon, 24th, Left Mill's tavern, and got to 
Connoly's, where we lodged, distance 17 miles. Our passage up the 
river is rendered very slow, owing to the lowness of the water, and our 
boats being full loaded, I have been under the necessity of loading 
th^m full for two reasons: 1st, because I could not make up three full 
loads; and 2d, because of the infamous price I w^as asked for taking a 
load. It will scarcely be believed, when I say that I was asked £85 for 
one boat load to be taken to Oswegatchie, besides locks and portage fees, 
which would make it amount, in the whole, to £90. This I thought so 
enormous, I could not think of submitting to it. I purchased a boat, 
and hired another with three batteauxjiien, and with my own people, I 
set out, and thus far we have come on tolerably well. 25th. Left Con- 
noly's this morning, and came on to what is called Caty's rift, distance 3 
miles. At this unfortunate place commenced my ill fortune. I at first 
hired only two batteauxmen, but previous to my leaving Schenectada, 1 
hired a third, hoping, by this, I had put it out of the power of any acci- 
dent to happen. The boat being manned by three professed batteauxmen, 
and one good hand (though not a boatman), ascended this rift to within 
a boat's length of being over, when she took a shear and fell back, and 
soon acquired such velocity, that the resistance of the boatmen became 
quite inadequate to stopping her. The consequence was, she fell cross- 
wise of the current, and when she had descended the rapids about half 
way, she brought up broadside upon a rock (which lays in the middle of 
the stream), and sunk almost instantly, about four or five inches under. 
In this situation she lay about two hours, before I could procure ai>sist- 
ance to get her unloaded, the delay of getting to her, together with the 
difficulty of coming at her cargo, made us three hours before we could 
relieve the boat, during which time we expected to see her go to pieces, 
which would undoubtedly have happened, had she not been a new boat, 
and well built. It was particularly unfortunate, that it was on board 
this boat that I had almost all my dry goods, which got most thoroughly 
wet. Upon getting the boat off, I found she had two of her knees broke, 
and one of her planks split, and leaky in several places. I immediately 
had one-half the cargo reloaded, and set forward up the rapid, at the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 379 

head of which lives ^Ir. Spraker. Here 1 unloaded, and sent the boat 
back for the residue. I'jion their arrival, I set about openin? the goods, 
all of which w- re soaking wet. The casks I had the goods in, would 
have turned water for a short time, but the length of time the boat was 
under, gave an opportunity for all the casks to till. The three boxes of 
tea were all soaked through. The difficulty of getting this article dry, 
«as heightened by the very showery weather Ve had Tuesday and 
Wednesday; but by paying the greatest attention, we were enabled to 
get it all dry by Wednesday evening. The goods I had all dried and 
repacked: the boat I had taken out of the water, and repaired; almost 
every thing was now ready for setting out in the morning. Upon drying 
the tea, I found it was too much damaged to take on : I concluded it 
would be better to send it back to Xew York, and have it disposed of at 
auction, for what it would bring, rather than have the reputation of 
bringing forward damaged tea, and disposing of it for good; and that iu 
a country where my future success very much defends upon the repu- 
tation I establish. '^Sth. I finished packing up, and at 10 o'clock we got 
on board, and proceeded upon our voyage again : got as far as Xeller's 
tavern, distance about 1"2 miles: rained very sharp this afternoon. 29th. 
Got to the Little falls this afternoon, about three o'clock. The tea I left 
boxed uji, in the care of 3Ir. Spraker, to be forwarded to >Ir. Murdock, 
Schenectada. I have written him to forward it to Mr. 3IcKie, you will 
be so good as to give him directions about it. It was fortunate that two 
chests of tea were left at Schenectada, as was also a barrel of snuff, Sec, 
which I have ordered to be forwarded to Kingston. The two casks of 
powder I have also sent back to 3Ir. McKie: that article was totally- 
spoiled (except to work over again). The best of the muslins was in 
Richard's trunk, and did not get wet. I hope the dry goods are not so 
damaged as to prevent a sale of them. The cutlery is very much injured, 
notwithstanding the greatest attention. This is not only a heavy loss, but 
is attended with vast tatigue and perplexity. I could not procure oil 
cloths for the boats (the one you had was sold with the boat). 1 have 
only tow cloths, which I fear will not be sufficient to protect the goods 
against the very heavy rains we have had, and still have. It has been 
raining about twelve hours very heavy, and should it continue, I appre- 
hend the casks will not fully shed the water. No industry or persever- 
ance shall be wanting on my part, to make the best of the voyage." 

On the 1st of August, the voyagers arrived at Fort Stauwix (Rome), 
ou which date 3Ir. Ford wrote to Col. Ogden, that although the voyage 
had thus far beeu disastrous and extremely unpleasant, yet he anticipated 
arriving at Oswegatchie in a week, and hoped to go on pleasantly down 
hill. 

A copy of the letters of Judge Ford, from 1796 till 1807, is before us, 
which describe the events of that period with minuteness, and are ex- 
pressed iu language remarkable for that force and originality so peculiar 
to that singular man. They would of themselves form a volume of 
considerable size, and we shall be under the necessity of gleaning from 
them the succession of events, although we confess our utter inability to 
approach that conciseness, and that striking peculiarity which indicate 
the talents and genius of their writer. 

He arrived August 11, 1796, and was accompanied by Richard Fitz 
Randolph, a clerk. Thomas Lee, a carpenter, John Lyon and family, and 



380 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

a few boatmen from Schenectady. His goods he set up in the Serjeant's 
room, which he used as a store; the family of Tuttle, whom he had 
sent on to stay in the fort and keep things in order, he placed in tlie bar- 
racks adjoining the store ; Mr. Lyon, he placed in the mill house, and 
immediately crossed to Canada, and obtained three yoke of oxen, four 
milch cows, peas, wheat, &c,, hired about forty men, and set about build- 
ing a dam and saw mill. He found many persons the other side anxious 
to settle, but was not at the time authorized to sell lands, and could only 
defer their applications, by telling them that settlements could not be 
made, till the lands were surveyed. In a few days, Joseph Edsall ar- 
rived, and began to survey the town. He brought with him a small bag 
of orchard grass seed, half for Ford, and half for Mr. Farrand, on the 
north shore. On the 7th of September, he wrote to Mr. Ogden as 
follows: 

" When I wrote you last, I mentioned Major Watson and several other 
persons, who had settled upon the lands up the river. These people 
have relinquished their pretentions, and find that they had better become 
purchasers. Watson, and several others of them, are at work for me. 
From what I had heard before, it was Watson I was expecting that would 
be the person who meant to give us trouble, but I am glad to find it is 
not like to be the case. But I am well informed that John Smith, or 
Joseph Smith (who goes by the name of Yankee Smith), is the man who 
says he will try the title with you. He lives upon the other side himself, 
and keeps a tavern. I believe he is a man of but little force to set about 
establishing title to such a tract. I have been told that he was on his 
way to warn me about my business, but was taken sick and returned. I 
have not seen him. It would be well to make an example of him, if we 
could get him over this side. Those fellows only want to be treated with 
promptness, to bring them to terms. I dare say, Smith's object is, to 
make a fuss, hoping that to get clear of him, you will give him a deed 
for a tract, which he is not able to purchase. This I would never in- 
dulge him in. ft is through such fellows that so much trespass has been 
committed, and [by] this Smith particularly. 

I have had all the chiefs of the St. Regis village to see and welcome 
me to this country, excepting Gray and two others, who are gone to the 
river Chazj', to receive the money from the state. 

They gave me a hearty welcome, and ])ressed me very much to pay 
them a visit. I treated them with the utmost civility, and sent them all 
away drunk. As to the Oswegatchie Indians, I have never heard a word 
from them upon the possession of their lands, — many of them have been 
here to trade, &c. As to Lorimier's claim, I never heard any thing from 
them, until I had been here several daj s. I had been asked what I in- 
tended doing with the widow, &c., by people who were not interested, 
(and who, I suppose, informed her what I said upon the subject); my re- 
ply was that we had been very illy treated about the business heretofore, 
but I had understood that the widow was in indigent circumstances, and 
it was not your or my intention to distress the widow and fatherless; 
what was right we intended to do. Were Mr. Lorimier alive, we should 
hold a very difFert language. This was my uniform reply to those who 
said anything to me upon the subject. Upon the 17th, Mr. Sherwood (a 
young lawyer), came over and presented me a letter from Mrs. Lorimier, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 381 

(a copy of which ia annexed) which after I had read, he began to apolo- 
gize for being under the necessity of formally forbidding me to proceed 
in my building upon the f)remises, and begged I would not be offended 
if he called in two witnesses, that he might do it in form. He went on 
to say that he thought Mrs. Lorimier's right would hold good under the 
2nd article of the treaty, &c. &c., to all which I made no other reply, but 
that I should not have any objection to his being as formal as he wished, 
and as to her coming within the 2nd article, I did not conceive it could 
be made to bear such a construction, and concluded by observing that if 
Mrs. Lorimier meint to set up title, it must be the hardest kind of one, 
and that all idea of charity must be at an end. He insinuated that the 
cause would be tried in their courts, it being a matter that the treaty was 
to decide. This idea I treated with levity, as did also Farrand, when I 
mentioned the thing to him. A few days after this transaction, I was over 
the river, where I saw Capt, Anderson, (who lives at Kingston,) to whom 
the estate is indebted. He told me he was going to administer on the es- 
tate, and wished to know if we intended to make the widow any com- . 
pensation. I told him the widow had sent me a 1-^tter and a lawyer, to 
forbid my proceeding; that I supposed she meant to press iier title if she 
had any, in which case charity would be entirely out of the question. 
That we had ever been disposed to do what was right, he, himself, very 
well knew. Who had advised her to the step she had taken, I did not 
know, neither did I care. If they thought the widow would do better by 
a law suit than relying upon our justice and generosity, she was at per- 
fect liberty to try it; that I should give myself no further trouble about it. 
He told me he thought it a very unwise step she had taken, and could not 
imagine who had advised her to it, that the thing was given up, and I 
should never hear any more of it. Notwithstanding all his protestations 
to the contrary, I did believe then, and ever shall, that he himself was 
the man — I took care not to insinuate such a belief I then interrogated 
him as to her title, this he evaded, upon which I told him that he must 
be well enough acquainted with law to know that a widow could not dis- 
pose of real estate, and if they had any title to the land, I should not do 
any thing until the heir at law gave me a release and quit claim. That 
if I went into the business at all, T did not mean to do it by halves. This 
brought forward an elucidation of their title, as he has it from the widow, 

and as he says the lease which he has seen is: . He states that in 

the year 1785, they built a saw mill and lived upon this side; that the dam 
and mill went away, and they removed over the river. That in the year 
1793, the Indians gave Lorimier a verbal lease (for the land, as stated in 
her letter to me). That after Lorimier's death, the Indians came forward 
and confirmed to her in her own name (in writing), a lease for the same 
lands (the widow states) they gave Lorimier a verbal lease tor. This 
last act was done this spring or last fall. 

This he assures me on his honor, is all the title they have. After much 
conversation upon the subject, I told him that if their conduct towards 
me was such as it ought to be, I would take the business into considera- 
tion, and make an equitable valuation of the mill and house, and pay the 
widow therefor, provided they gave up all idea of title. This heas^ured 
me they would do, and rely upon our generosity. I am to write to him 
upon the subject, which when I do, he will come down, and we shall 
have an end to the business. I do not wish to be in too great a hurry, 
for fear that something may be behind, which I may find out. I shall be 
attentive to the business, and not lose too much time. 

As to business in the mercantile way, it equals my expectation. I am 
confident much business may be done here in that way. I am sorry that 



382 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

I have not a fiiitlier supply of coarse goods here for the season. Provi- 
sions of every kind can be taken in here in abundance. It was impossi- 
ble for me to know soon enough what would answer this country for you 
to forward them this autumn. I shall make the best and most of what 
I have,— it will go some way in making jirovision for our next summer's 
operations. I would suggest to you the propriety of sending to England 
this tall, to have the burr stones shipped to Montreal; they will come 
easier and much cheaper that way than coming up the Mohawk It is 

astonishing what a mill may do here, Boulton's mill, wliich is' at the 

Garlows, is now resorted to tor fifty miles, and a Avorse mill I am sure 
never vvas. I have not yet been able to get information relative to iron 
ore. If I can get the dam done soon enough, I intend to take a ramble 
back of the lake. If we get the saw mill under way this fall, which I 
hope will be the case, it will beabsohitely necessary to have a bill of such 
timber as will be wanted for the grist mill, so that ev^ry pre|)aration for 
that may be going on this winter. This you will be so good as not to fail 
sending me. 

My carpenter will stay the winter. I can now give you an accurate 
account of the surveys and claims, made by the people who have leases 
from Indians.— Yankee Smith, begins 1 mile from the fort, runs 3 miles 
upon the river, and 9 miles back. Watson then begins, and has the 
same quantity. Sealy then begins and has a like quantity. Sealy lives 
upon the other side, he has been here, but I did not know at the time, 
of his pretentions. Watson tells me that Sealy's lease is in New 
England. I should not be surprised to find that he had sold it to the 
speculators there. The following is Mrs. Lorimier's letter to me. 

Edwardsburgh, 16th August, 1796. 

Sir. — I am informed, you have arrived in Oswegatchie, with a num- 
ber of people, and have taken possession of one of my houses there, and 
that you are about to make a dam across the Black river, fir.-^t takin"- 
away what remained of mine. That you may not be deceived, I now 
mform you, that I have a good title to half a mile on each side of that 
river, from the mouth to the scource of it, which I can not think of re- 
linquishing without a valuable consideration; and Christian charity 
obliges me to think, that you would not endeavor to wrong or in any 
manner distress the widow and fatherless, and as it appears you wish 
to form a settlement there, I hereby give you my first offer to piu-chase 
my tide, and would be glad to have you answer upon the subject, as 
soon as possible, that I may know how to govern myself. 
I am your most humble serv't, 

To Major Ford. Catharine Lorimier. 

I was not particular in stating to you that Lorimier's verbal lease, was 
obtained of the Indians, after you had warned him off the premises I 
have drawn upon you through Mr. Foresyth, for five hundred dollars 
payable ten days after sight. I hope he will honor the bill, I have re- 
quested him to forward me four hundred dollars in cash, and one 
Jiundred dollars in rum. Richard joins in best respects to Mrs. Ogden 
and family, I am very anxious to hear from you, and when you write 
pray let me know the news, and how the world is going. I believe yoii 
will begin to think it is time for me to stop, for you must be tired of 
reading, and I am sure I am of writing.— So God bless you, is the 
earnest prayer of your friend and humble servant. 

Col. Samud Ogden. ]y^ Ford." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 383 

On the approach of winter, Mr. Ford returned to New Jersey, and did 
not get back to Oswegatchie until the 9th of August, 1797. He found 
that the Canadian claimants had been over the spring before, held a 
town meeting, elected civil and military officers, and sent on Ensly their 
moderator to get their proceedings confirmed by the governor, and that 
they had opened a land office for selling and settling his tract. He 
wrote to his partner: 

" I also found that some of those jockeys had come over and stripped 
a quantity of bark, I immediately sent Mr. Randolph, with a boat 
(properly manned), with orders to take on board as much bark as he 
could, and burn the residue. He accordingly set out, and did not, (un- 
fortunately), arrive at the place before they got off with one boat load, 
but was fortunate enough to arrive just as they had got the second 
loaded, which he detained, and after making them assist in loading his 
boat, he ordered both to snil for the garrison, where they arrived in good 
order, and well conditioned. I immediately sent the bark to a tanner in < 
Johnstown, where 1 send my hides, so that we shall have our hides tan- 
ned with our own lu;i k. Tliey have kept themselves very quiet upon 
the siihjf-ct. I <snve out that I wanted more bark, and only wait for 
tresjiMsj^eis to cuiue ever and get it for me. If it is possible for processes 
to i)e made out, le.-n iug the names to be filled up, and a deputation 
made, I am clear for having some of the ringleaders in Herkimer jail, — 
this I am sure would settle the business. If this can be done, let friend 
Richard's name be mentioned for the deputation, and I will see that the 
business is properly executed, but you must write me particularly how 
it is to be done, and you must be particular that the opinion be given by 
a lawyer of New York, for depend upon it there is a difference between 
New York and New Jersey laws upon these subjects." 

In a letter written early in 1798, l^^ord stated his anxieties about the 
leases, and advised that influence should be used with the governor, and 
legislature, to prevent any mischief that might arise from the ex parte 
representations which he understood were being used, and added, that 
it would make a fatal hole in Oswegatchie township, should the claims 
happen to be by any means confirmed. The trouble about the lease 
was finally settled by purchase from Mrs. Lorimier and her son, Sept. 
26, 1798, in which Mr. Ford paid £62 10s. Canada currency, for a quit 
claim, "during the rest jresidue and remainder of said term which is yet 
to come and unexpired, to witt so long as wood shall grow and water 
run, peacably and quietly to enter into, have, hold, and occupy, possess and 
enjoy." The original is extremely diffuse in its style, and abounds in 
repetitions. Watson was arrested on a charge of having violated the 
statute by dealing with the Indians for their lands;* taken to the county 
jail at Rome; indicted in June 1799, tried and convicted in June 1800, 
having laid in jail a year, and was released upon his signing a release 
and quit claim, and surrendering his papers. 

• See page 126, of this work, for the law on this subject. 



384 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

It appears that Watson and Ensly were the only ones of the lessees 
who had ventured to sell lands to settlers; tlie others only awaited the 
result to set up their claims. In his letter to his attorney, Tlio's R. 
Gould of Whitestown, informing him of the condition of the affairs, and 
forwarded by Mr. Sherman the keeper of Watson, on his way to jail, he 
expressed his regret at the necessity which led him to the measure, and 
added that every milder means had been exhausted. His efforts to se- 
ciu-e the others failed. In a letter of Sept. 14, 1798, he says: 

"The sheriff then went in pursuit of Ansly, but by some means or 
other, he got suspicious that something more than common was pre- 
paring, and he made his escape over the river, by which means he eluded 
tlie officer Watson 1 have forwarded to jail, and as he is really the prin- 
cipal, I hope it will be sufficient to finish the business. I am sorry that 
Ansly was not taken, for lie is a great villain. I am not sure but 1 shall 
lay a plan for taking him yet; nothing but the difficulty of s])aring hands 
to send down with him will prevent; but should he recross the river, 
and be saucy, I will do it at all events. They have carried on with a 
tolerable high hand since my absence, in insulting our settlere. I have 
given it to the charge of all the people, if any person dare threaten them 
or abuse them, for settling under the title derived from the state, to make 
me instantly acquainted with the fact, and I will immediately issue a 
warrant for them, and send them to jail. This, by the state law, I have 
a right to do, and I certatnly shall do it. The remote situation of this 
place has encouraged, and still does encourage, to do and act as they 
would not dare to act, were the jail a little handier, and there is no way 
to get the jail nigher to us but by cutting the road to the Mohawk. This 
is a thing you must take pains about, and with a little pains I am confi- 
dent it may be effected, and if only a winter road can be got, the value 
of the lands will almost double. At present it is impossible for people 
to get here, the expense is so great. I shall draw upon you shortly for 
6 or 800 dollars, and hope you will be prepai'ed. Friend Richard joins 
in best respects to Mrs. Ogden and family. Believe me to be as ever 
vour humble servant, 

N. Ford." 

In a letter of Sept. 16, 1798, to Samuel Ogden, he says: 

" I wrote you the 1 1th inst., in which I mentioned having sent Watson 
to jail, &c. The minds of those in his and Ansly's interests, are much 
agitated at the circumstance. They are at present very quiet, and Ansly 
durst not be seen this side the river. It has been suggested that the 
Indians will be excited to do private mischief. I am not uneasy for my 
personal safety. We are so totally outside of the protection of govern- 
ment, that it may become absolutely necessary to go into some vio- 
lence, should violence be threatened. Nothing but necessity will induce 
me to do a thing whicli will not be perfectly consistent with law, but 
wlien that necessity presents itself, I shall do that which is most effect- 
ual for self defence, and oppose violence with violence, and trust to 
common justice the event. I have been told the Indians have burnt a 
quantity of wild hay I had put up some distance from here; the truth of 
the fact I have not yet ascertained; I shall find out the pei'sons who 
have done it. My line of conduct towards them I shall not pretend at 
present to say." 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 385 

During the season of 1797, a grist mill was commenced, it being the 
same as that now owned by Wm. Furness, which was placed a consider- 
able distance below the dam, in order that vessels might there load and 
unload. A large nimiber of hands were employed, and to add to his 
cares Isaac Ogden had hired and sent up from Montreal, four French 
masons and five or six laborers, at high prices, and with the promise 
that they should be paid in money as soon as their work was done. 
There was no lack of ability or inclination on the part of Mr. S. Ogden 
to sustain these expenses, but the means of communication by letter, 
and especially the remittance of money, were very precarious and un- 
certain. This produced the greatest difficulties, and in this and the fol- 
lowing years almost rendered the firm insolvent. It was in these ex- 
tremities that the energy and perserverence of Mr. Ford were displayed 
in the most striking manner, and in such a way as to indicate his quali- 
fications for founding a new colony, beyond the protection of the laws, 
and among those whose interests would have been promoted by his 
misibrtmcs. Alter complaining to his partner of the high prices pro- 
mised (.'^30 for masons and $15 for laborers, while he could hire the 
latter for $11.25), he adds; 

" There is a disadvantage over and above the very high price allowed 

the French laborers, because nothing but money will answer, for d 1 

the thing will they purchase. There is ^heir expenses, which amounts 
to $30 or $40 exclusive of their pay. Your brother writes very anxiously, 
fearing he may be led into some scrape in the business. I will give you 
an extract of that part of his letter: 'You are to pay them at Oswe- 
gatchie, in silver dollars; be careful that you do not bring me into a law 
suit with them for non-compliance on your part, as yon see I am bound; 
it would not be well for a judge to be sued.' He also mentions that he 
had wrote you upon the subject, &c., and you will see the positive ne- 
cessity of putting it in my power to defray the heavy expenses which 
must unavoidably accrue in so extensive a building. The cash lam 
obliged to pay out for the supplies of last winter and this spring, will 
take every larthing of monev I brought with me, and unless you take 
measures for my being immediately supplied, it will be impossible lor 
me to go on. The store affords me a considerable assistance, but the 
sales fall vastly short of the supply wanted. I hope you will not let this 
escape your attention. The success of our operations very much de- 
pends upon this year's exertions. There are a number of people who 
wish to come over, who have not joined the moh, but they have no money 
to purchase, and are poor. How I shall do with theuj I know not. I 
must shape the thing by way of agreement. Another year I shall insist 
upon your sending an agent about your landed matters; it is positively 
more than I can attend to and take care of my business. I can not con- 
clude without taking again the liberty of pressing upon your mind the 
necessity of forwarding me the ways and means; without it, I shall not 
be able to do much this year. You will have the goodness to present my 
best respects to Mrs. Ogden, and all the family, and believe me to be 
with every sentiment of esteem, your friend and humble servant, 

N. Ford. 



336 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

N. B. I took out my commission as a magistrate, but could not be 
sworn in by any other l)Ut a judge or clerk of the court of this county, 
and not any being handy, 1 could not spare the time to hunt them up. 
The invention of our friends over the river bave been upon the stretcb 
to invent bes to destroy our influence. Among the great number pro- 
pagated I shall only mention was that you and I were both broke, and 
that Mr. Randolph bad surest orders to quit the ground as soon as he 
possibly could plausibly do it, &c." 

In a letter of Aug. 23, he urged the justice of the claims of the labor- 
ers, many of whom were poor, and whose families would be brought to 
want, and represented in strong language, the discredit that would be 
brought upon themselves in case of failure to pay them. The following 
bill of goods was probably the first ever ordered in town. They were 
directed to be sent to Fort Stanwix, to meet boats from Oswegatchie, 
and to be packed in tight barrels. 

" Four doz. pieces of Huinmums, that will come at Is. lOd., or 2s. pr. 
yd.; 3 or 4 pieces of coarse blue, and mixed colored cloths; 200 yds. 
check flannel, yd wide; striped cotton, blue and white; 2 ps. of camblet, 
for cloaks (brown); 1 ps. swan's skin ; 2 ps. coating; I ps. blue 2d cloth; 
1 ps. yellow flannel ; 1 ps. of red ; 1 ps. of white ; colored silk and twist ; 
10 or 20 y)s calico, some of which to be large figured for Indians, the 
rest fashionable; 1 ps. Russian sheeting; I cvvt bar lead; 500 oil flints; 
Vermillion for Indians; 1 small case hats; 2 doz. of cotton handker- 
chiefs for nien; 2 doz, do. for women; ^ cwt indigo; 2 or 3 ps. of blue 
and black moreen ; 2 or 3 ps. of caliminco; do. 2 ps. durant, do. 

If you should determine to send the above articles, you must do it im- 
mediately, and send me word. I do not know any body at Fort Stan- 
wix, unless you shall write to Mr. Weston, and he will have them stored. 

In a letter dated September 13, 1797, to S. Ogden, he wrote: 

" I am still disappointed in not hearing from you ; how to account for 
it I am totally at a loss. How, or in what manner, I am to turn myself 
to meet the present demands at present, I know not, and how I am to 
do when the season of work closes, I am still much more at a loss to 
know. I liave not ten dollars at command, and have now forty-five 
hands (besides a number of women and children), to find in provisions. 
These must all be fed and paid, and unless you forward me the means, 
it will be out of my power to go on with the business. I have squeezed 

along; knows how until this time, but this will do no longer. The 

money must be paid for what has been had, as well as what is to be. 
Laying aside every other consideration, this way of carrying on business 
is extravagant, for supplies must be had, and at such prices as those who 
have them choose to ask, but if I had it in my power to send a man out 
and purchase with cash, I should be able to get things a little at my 
prices. The supply of provisions will amount to considerable, but when 
I come to pay off the hands, and then tell them I have no money, what 
must their opinion be of us! They have nothing but their labor to de- 
pend upon, and have been at work and still are at work, under the 
strongest impression, that the moment they want their money they can 
have it. The contract your brother made with the Frenchmen was such 
that they were to be paid monthly. They were so dissatisfied at the ex- 
piration of the first month, that it was with difficulity I prevented their 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 387 

going to Montreal, and demanding their pay from yonr brother, They 
said, ' he is the man they bargained with and he shall fulfil the 
contract.' Their second month v/ill expire the 7th of next month, and 
then I suppose there will be more noise than all the work is worth, for I 
have not in my power to pay them, and I am sure they will then leave 
me, and your brother must stand in the gap. A noise at Montreal with 
the Frenchman, and a noise here with the people over the river, will be 
rather more than any one man can stand. Were I not quite confident 
that you had taken measures before now, I should be almost induced to 
run away." 

In this letter he gave a minute account of the plan of the mill and 
iixtures, and his hopes and fears in relation the first raft which he was 
preparing to send to Montreal. As the business of the season was about 
being closed up, his embarrassment became extreme, and is fully set 
forth in the following letter, dated Oct. 7, 1797. 

"I have this moment received your letter of the 13th of August, and 
my letter of the ]3th September, (which I hope you have received) will 
be answering much of it. Some lew days ago J received part of the 
money you had placed in your brother's hand, but the whole sum of 
$500, which I am authorized to draw upon him for, is so trifling, com- 
pared with our disbursements, (as you will see by my last letters, to 
which permit me to refer you), that I am almost disi-ouraged. You know 
wlien I left you, you did not furnish me with any more cash than was 
necessary to get me here, and pay our debts. This you very well re- 
member, I remonstrated against, but you assured me I should have a 
Bufficiency forwarded to Montreal early enough to meet my exigencies, 
upon which promise I set out, and have struggled through the season 
thus far, at the close of which I receive $500, a sum that is only $5 more 
than will pay the four French masons, and six laborers from Montreal. 
Now what am I to do with all the rest ? and how am I to pay for provisions, 
and lay in our winter stock ? The mode you point out is to draw upon you 
at short sight. I have no doubt that the bills would be yiunctually paid, but 
let xrie ask to whom am I to sell the bills in this country ? This cannot be 
done to any one short of Montreal, so that the very moment Mr. Ran- 
dolph returns from that place, I mnst send him back to negotiate the 
bills: the very expense attending this will he considerable, and the loss 
of his service at this time will be much more than the expense; tor it is 
more than I can pT)ssibly do to attend to keep upwai'ds of forty hands at 
work, provide provisions, and tend the store, which I have been obliged to 
do ever since he has been gone to Montreal, which is upwards of three 
weeks. Added to all my own troubles I have been perplexed with 
Edsal's thirteen surveyors, whom he left unprovided for, and who have 
given me a great deal of trouble, and Tuesday next must be fitted out 
for home, and provided with cash, and before I can send to Montreal, 
and get returns, Odle and his party, and King and Vanriper, must be 
fitted out and they must have money to carry them home. Their wages 
will be i)aid in Jersey, but the five carpenters and thirty laborers, I have 
hired from over the river, must be paid here, and so must all our sup- 
plies. If you had received your money, the shortest way would have 
been to forward it by Mr. McDonald, and if you had not, you ought to 
have advised me to draw sooner. It is now the close of the season, 
when the hands want to be paid off, and now I have to do what might 
have been done long since. It is certainly placing me in a very cruel 



388 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

situation, in a strange country, and in a country Avhere it is the interest 
of so many to be our enemies, and who lay hold of every opportunity 
to turn every slip to our disadvantage, and I am sorry to add, there are 
pome among this number, who have professed friendship. God knows 
I have a heart that despises them, and a disposition to punish them for 
their sciUTihty, as soon as I can bring it home to any one who has the 
smallest ])retentioiis to calling himself a gentleman. There has been 
much said of us, but I cannot trace it to those whom I suspect. If I am 
able to do so, I will call them to a settlement that shall make them 
tremble. In my former letter, I informed you that I had sent a raft of 
boards to Montreal, and the prospects of raising money from that source, 
&c. The raft contained 2800 boards — this number was as much as 
could go down the rapids at this season. My orders were for the boat 
to return as soon as the boards were landed, and friend Richard to re- 
main and sell them to the best advantage. He has not yet returned. 
The boat has returned, and by it he has sent me four hundred dollars of 
the money in your brother's hands, the remainder he retained, and wrote 
he had done so because he feared the raft would not sell for enough to 
pay for the articles I had been under the necessity to purchase, such as 
rum, nails, tackles, to raise the mill, &c. Before the boat came away, 
he had sold one crib for $12i per 100 boards, and did not expecta higher 
])rice for the remainder, so that when he comes to pay your brother about 
$40, which he advanced for the Frenchmen's outfit, and $40 which we 
owe to R. F. & Co., and for thi-ee barrels of rum, 15 bushels of salt, two 
casks of nails, window glass and tin, and add to this the cash he had to 
pay the hands at Montreal, I am sure he will have no raft money in 
hand, for at the most the raft will fetch no more than $380, supposing he 
is able to get $l2h. per 100, which is very doubtful. 

# * * My room door opens at this instant; enters my ten French- 
men ; what do you want ? " Our month is out, and we want our moneys." 
Here I must stop and settle with them. * * * I have done it, thank 
God ; and had I not received the money from Montreal, as I did, they 
would liave left me, and gone to your brother. But by doing this, I am 
now stripped of cash again; and all the other people must do without. 
I have done this to save the noise which would otherwise be at Montreal. 
The noise here is bad enough, and I fear our fame will spread fast 
enough, without our assistance to propagate it. What I am to do now, I 
know not. 1 hose from whom I have been in the constant habit of 
purchasing beef at 4d. York, now ask me 4i, and they keep the hide and 
tallow. This will bring our beef at S^d., and this arises Irom no other 
cause, than a knowledge of my being without money, and the advantage 
is taken. They know I must have beef, and they know I must get it 
from those who can credit; and I can not help myself. Had I the cash, 
I could get it plenty, and I believe for less than 4d. This is also the 
case with my dour. If I had cash, I could purchase wheat for less than 
a dollar, but as I have not, I am under the necessity of purchasing of 

Mr. , who charges me four dollars per cwt. This is a loss of one 

dollar upon every hundred, which is no small matter, in the quantity I 
am obliged to use. This is doing business at a great loss, and if it can, 
ought to be, avoided. You certainly have no competent idea of the mag- 
nitude of our building, or you would never have sent me five hundred 
dollars, under the idea of its being sufficient for our summer's operations. 
The little map 1 sent you in my last, will furnish you with sufficient in- 
formation to form a judgment of what we have to do, and from your 
knowledge in business, of the expense also. Every possible economy 
is made use of, and no object however trifling escapes my attention ; and 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 389 

could I be furnished with a capital equal to the object, I am bound to 
say, no work of equal magnitude would be set in motion for the same 
money this would be. 

* * * If you would for a moment conceive yourself in my vtry, 
very unpleasant situation, J am confident your humanity would become 
excited to that degree, that no time would be lost in giving relief, but 
you are too far from the scene, and my pen too feeble to paint. I close 
the subject, not doubting you will take the earliest opportunity to furnish 
me with the means necessary for the occasion. In my last I told you 
we were almost through the stone work of the mill. That is finished, 
and a most complete wall it is. * * * Before I close this letter, I 
shall give you a description of the dam and race we expected to raise 
on the 12th. I should now have the pleasure to tell you it was, and 
pardy covered, had not Odie met with the misfortune to stick the adze 
into his ancle, which has laid him up nearly a fortnight. 

There js one question you will naturally ask me, about paying the 
Frenchmen, which is — why did I not draw a bill and send it to your 
brother at Montreal, to negotiate and pay them there? This I tried, 
and pi-essed it, in every way and shape I could devise ; but their jealousy, 
or their ignorance, or the orders of their priests, to bring the money with 
them (so that they could have their share), or what it was, I know not; 
but nothing but the moneys would unswer. I have kept the masons 
busy at the walls of the dam. I have found the race a more tedious job 
than any I ever undertook. I have drove it with the utmost industry, 
and have progressed in it as fast as could reasonably be expected, con- 
sidering the disadvantage I labored under, in sending so many of my 
hands with the raft." 

The mill was finally raised in October of that year. He proposed to 
have the mill stones brought to the place in sections, and put together 
there, to save the expense of taking them whole up the rapids in boats. 
His Frenchmen he finally sent to Mr. Ogden, of Montreal, for the bal- 
ance due them ; but was very soon enabled to remit the means of pay- 
ment. His opinion of the settlers from Canada was subsequently mo- 
dified: 

" Those people upon the other side, who used to talk so much about 
purchasing and settling, say very little about the matter now. The in- 
tentions of some of them I have discovered, which was, to purchase upon 
the credit given, in hopes before the leases expired, the land would rise, 
so as to nett them a handsome profit; in this I prevented them by annex- 
ing to the terms, ' in case of actual settlement.' I think it much better 
the land should rise in your hands than theirs. There is another class 
which would come over but are so poor they durst not purchase. 
Knowing their own inability to pay, they are fearful that at the expira- 
tion of the time the land will be taken from them, and they lose their 
improvement; so that between the two classes, we are not like to get 
many from the other side. Indeed, the more I become acquainted with 
them, the less I fancy them as settlers. They are a strange medley, and 
I believe it is well the river is betwixt us. I am well convinced in my 
own mind, the country will settle, and by our own countrymen, one of 
whom is worth six of his majesty's beef-eaters. Let us get our buildings 
and our business well under way, and if possible get the legislature to 
assist in cutting a road from the Mohawk, and the country will soon set- 



390 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tie itself. The road ought to be attended to this winter. You can, 
througli the medium of your friends, get the tiling pressed in the legis- 
lature. If tills were done, the people on the other side assure me they 
would much rather take their produce to Albany iu the winter, than go 
to Montreal. They have all a desire to trade with New York. Were 
this avenue once opened, it would be astonishing to see the number of 
people that would flock in. The navigation is too intricate and expen- 
sive for families to come in that way. The consequence is, hundreds 
are under the necessity of going to the army land, and the Genesee, and 
every other new country to which they can get with sleiichs. The road 
finished, and our business under good way, will at once render Ogdens- 
burgh the emporium of this part of the world. I hope Edsal has fur- 
nished you with a map and field book of his. work. I charged them to 
do so as soon as they got home. I was happy to be informed that Mr. 
G. M. was so soon expected. I hope he has arrived safe. I am much 
at a loss to .account for your writing nie only once since I left Jersey. 
You promised me you would be very punctual." 

Postscript of a teller dated Dec. 17, 1797, by JV. Ford, to Saynuel Ogden. 

N. B. The Yankees I mentioned to you in a former letter, have been 
with me, and go out to-morrow to view the lands upon the east branch. 
There are four of them who will setde together, and as I conceive it an 
object to get a settlement going in that part of the tract, I have made it 
an object with them, by allowing them each to take 100 acres adjoining 
each other, for \Qs. per acre, in four annual payments. There are four 
more who wish to join them, and make a like settlement, and I have 
promised Mr. Thurber (who is the leading character in the business), if 
they come forward, and go immediately on with him and his associates, 
they shall have a like quantity at 12s. per acre. Mr. Thurber tells me I 
may expect them. As soon as I can get this settlement under way, I 
shall venture to put the lands in that quarter at 16s. and 20s., and so on 
from time to time, as the settlement advances. I mentioned in a former 
letter the plan the people over the river had laid for speculation. They 
haviug been defeated in that, have laid another, which is, to purchase 
and strip off the timber, before the payment becomes due, and then give 
up the land. This scheme I have also discovered and by frustrating 
this plan, we shall not have many settlers from the other side, unless it 
should so turn out, upon finding they can get no advantage from their 
plans, some may become actual settlers. The Yankee immigration is 
commonly in the winter, and as the ice over Lake Champlain has not 
been good until lately, I expect there may be some along shortly. I shall 
have another opportunity to write you again in ten or twelve days, and 
when I return shall give you a full history of every thing. Don't forget 
tlie road to the Mohawk — every thing depends upon that. God bless 
you. N. F. 

On the 24th of October, 1798, Mr. Ford wrote to Ogden : 

"I have sold eight or ten farms, but not one shilling of money; but I 
think it better to let settlers come on under contract. I consider most 
of them pioneers making way for another set, which will most assuredly 
succeed them. Many stand aloof yet, waiting the fate of Watson (who 
I suppose is now in jail), hoping or doubting as to the title. 

* * * I mentioned to you the burning of our hay by the Indians, 
in consequence of Watson's arrest. The report was not true. I have 
had an opportunity of seeing the Indians who were suspected, and read 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 391 

them a lecture upon the subject. I found them submissive; the white 
Indians are the worst; but I have so totally got the better of white and 
black Indians, that they are perfectly quief, and I have not the least ap- 
prehension from either. I can not conclude without pressing your at- 
tention to the road. Be assured it is every thing to this country." 

The great object of solicitude, the mill, was at length completed so as 
to get grinding done on the 1st of December, 1798. On the 22d he had 
ground about 1,500 bushels. During the summer of 1799, while the 
surveys of the towus were in progress, vague reports of iron mines, salt 
springs, &c., were circulated, and high expectations formed from the 
latter. During the season of 1799, a second saw mill was erected. 
During the first eleven months, the grist mill ground 3,954 bushels of 
wheat, 1,820 of corn, other grain 100 for customers, and 693 for the 
owners. In alm.ost every letter which he wrote Mr. Ford brought in the 
subject of a road to the Mohawk, as an object of vast importance to the 
prosperity of the new settlement. He observed in a letter to the Hon. 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, as follows: 

" The difficulty of getting to this country with families is beyond what 
is generally sup[)ose(!. The present road through the Chateaugay coun- 
try, accommodates the few who emigrate from the upper part of Ver- 
mont, but the immense flood of people who emigrate to the westward, 
go there because they have no clioice. This road once opened as con- 
templated, the emigration would soon turn this way, not only because 
the distance would be less than to the Genesee^ but also because the 
lands are better and more advantageously situated. If the legislature 
will not take up the business, I am fully of' opinion the proprietors will 
find their account in cutting out the road at their own expense. I should 
suppose those who own in the big purchase, would unite partially in the 
thing, for that land can never settle until a road is cut The traveling 
and commerce which will go to Albany from Upper Canada, will far 
surpass the most sanguine idea. I am confident the farmer from this 
country will take his produce to Albany as easily as he can to Montreal, 
and he is sure of going to a better market. Over and above this (which 
is a sufficient reason for inducing them this way), is, that generally 
speaking, those who have settled upon the opposite side of the St. Law- 
rence, are from the North and Mohawk rivers, and their connexions are 
there. So they have a double advantage of seeing their friends, and doing 
business upon more advantageous principles. Vast numbers of the most 
leading farmers in that countrj', have assured me they would go to Albany 
in preferance to Montreal, if it took them three days longer. I am con- 
fident that the conmierce which would flow into Albany, through the 
medium of this road, would very soon reimburse the state tor the ex- 
pense. Those who live on our own side of the river, are compelled from 
necessity to trade at Montreal. This is the case with myself^ My incli- 
nation is to trade to Albany, but it is impossible. It is highly political to 
prevent if possible, the commerce of this country from falling into a re- 
gular system through Montreal ; for when people once foim mei-cantile 
connections, it is vastly difficult to divert and turn the current into anew 
channel. I see no rational mode but having the road cut, to secure to 
Albany so desirable an object, I have taken the liberty of stating my 
25 



392 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

ideas njion this siilijoct, which if they should meet yours, I trust and hope 
you will tai<e such steps as will secure a benefit to the state, as well as 
promote the interest of the proprietors and settlers. 

I can but be suspicious that you and Hoffiiian, have suffered an imposi- 
tion in Mr. and Mr. 's survey. I shall mention the grounds of 

my suspicion, and you will be able to draw your own conclusions. Some 

short time before Mr. had finished liis part of the survey, I had 

it hinted to me that 's work was all wroiiir. Not many days after, 

Mr. came to my place, when I mentioned the matter to him. He 

told me he bad understood something of the matter, upon which I told 
him it was his business to ascertain the fact, and as an honest man, make 
you acquainted with the business early enough to prevent 's re- 
ceiving his pay. This I told him was not a business that inunediately 
concerned me, but I would not be in the knowledge of these things with- 
out communicating them, and he might take his choice of doing it him- 
self, or I would do it ibr him. A day or two after he came to me, and 
affected to be very much distressed, and wanted my advice; that he was 

confident was a villain, and much feared he should be involved 

with him. I told him to get two surveyors, go into the woods, and take 

■ with them, examine the lines he, , had run, as well as the 

lines given him to lay out his work from, and if his work was false, con- 
vict him of it upon the spot; then let these surveyors certify the fact, and 
then write you a letter i'ully upon the subject, and inclose the certificate. 

This was done. The surveyors and told me they had never seen 

such infamous work done by any body who had the smallest pretensions 
of being a sui'veyor. They very particularly examined the line given him 

to lay off his work from, and found that right. wrote you a letter 

upon this subject, which I made him show me, also the certificate, both 
of which he promised to forward immediately. I have no doubt upon 
my mind he would have done it, for there never were two men who ex- 
ecrated each other more than they have, or af)[)eared to be greater ene- 
mies, and 1 never was more surprised than to hear that they met by mu- 
tual agreement at the St. Regis village, and travelled on to Albany togeth- 
er, and found no difficulty in making up a very good survey, and getting 
their pay, and have now gone to N. Y. for another job of surveying. No 
alteration has taken place in the lines since they were exatnined and if 

they were wrong then, they certainly are wrong now. How Mr. 

reconciles this business, I cannot very well see. I should have been hap- 
pier to have given this information earlier." 

During the fall of 1800, Mi-. Ford was visited by Gouverneur Morris, 
on a tour to see bis northern lands, and wrote: — " I have done all I could 
to add to his accommodation, but that has been so trifling it scarce de- 
serves a name; for there was no accommodation which he had not with 
him. He travels in the style of an eastern prince." In this season, a 
fulling mill was got in operation, and kettles for making potash were 
brought on at great expense. In the summer of 1801, Edsall was em- 
ployed to survey a road through to the Black i-iver, which was completed 
in September. It was intended to run to the High falls, but he found that 
after leaving the Ox Bow, " he came to a most intolerably swampy 
and I'idgy ground, growing worse and worse as he progressed, and before 
he reached the falls became so perfectly confident of the impracticability 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 393 

of a road as well as the impossibility of settlement, that he abandoned the 
idea." This surveyor.took a contract of continuing the road from Louis- 
ville to the east branch of Black lake, (Oswegatchie) and arrangements 
were made for extending it on to the Long falls, (now Carthage, Jefferson 
county,) to intersect the road through the Black river country, then about ' 
being laid out by Jacob Brown. At this time a project was on foot of 
opening a road through to Schroon lake, in the direction of Albany, but 
the roughness of the country, as found of Edsall's survey, deterred for a 
time, the prosecution of this plan. The road towards Black river, was 
so far cleared of underbrush during the fall, that it was resolved to at- 
tempt the journey through by sleigh as soon as the snows permitted. 
Mr. F. was strong in the faith that before the next summer he would have 
a road that should be drove with loaded wagons, and added: "I have no 
idea of putting up with such a thing as they have made through Chateau- 
gay, which scarcely deserves the name of an apology for a road." Late 
in this season the arrival of a vessel from Oswego, with 120 bbls of salt, 
was recorded as a memorable event. 

The erection of a new county was prosecuted with zeal, and in March, 
18C2, was successfully accomplished. Mi-. Ford thus wrote to S. Ogden, 
concerning the first session of the county court : 

"We had a respectable grand jury, and a numerous audience, and the 
business of the day was gone through with tolerable propriety. I was 
much disappointed in Edsall's not being here. I however brought for- 
ward my propositions respecting the court house, and should have gone 
.through it tolerably well, but Turner and Tibbets, with the assistance of 
a Mr. Foote, Avho lives in Canton, rather seemed to think it had rather be 
put oflT. I did not think it j,ood policy to urge the thing, and make party 
at that particular time. This is of too much importance to be omitted a 
moment. [Reflections upon the personal motives of certain parties omit- 
ted, in which the interests of other localities for securing the county seat, 
are surmised.] If we can preserve harmony in the county, it will be the 
better way, but if it is reduced to a certainty that we are to be opposed, J am 
determined to take the field, and we will try our strength. I would wish 
to try all other means first. This letter and our determination, ought to 
be kept a profound secret, and let us pursue the same friendslip which 
they affect towards us; if we take them upon their own ground, we may 
have a chance to fight them with their own weapons, but to do this with 
efiect, caution on our part is necessary. * * * You must let me hear 
as early as possible, for the board of supervisors must meet shortly, to fix 
about repairing the jail, and this can not be done for less than £100. It 
will.be poor policy to tax the county that sum, in addition, for a thing 
that ultimately will be lost, and at this jjarticular time, I do not think it 
practicable for the county to pay it; for wheat and flour have no market 
at Montreal, and the people have nothing that will bring money The 
policy of the county ought to be tlie strictest economy, and make the 
taxes as light as possible; for notliiiig scares people like taxes, and par- 
ticularly in a new country. A man will be hardly willing to emigrate to 
a new country where his little all is subject to be sold for taxes. 



394 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

There is a curious circumstance about the law which perhaps it is not 
best to say any thin^ about at present, and which I am confident [ am 
not mistaken in, and Turner stood by me when the law passed, and he is 
confident of the same thing. The bill as first reported, fixed the place of 
the court house here. That part was amended, and it was left with 
the judpes and supervisors to fix the spot. But the bill now says, " to be 
left to the future order of the legislature." Another thing in the bill, — 
the time of opening the court was on the 2d Tuesday of June; the bill now 
says the 1st Tuesday. Turner and myself both stood by, and our atten- 
tion was necessarily fixed on the bill, but we neither of us can remem- 
ber any such amendments. How they have since found their way into 
the bill I do not understand. As we now must apply to the legislature, 
to fix the place, it makes it necessary that we should be as unanimous 
as possible. If we are, and apply, there is no doubt but we can succeed. 
Edsall has been from home these four weeks; what has become of him, 
I do not know, — I fear some accident. I met with him at the Little 
falls, and mentioned my plan to him, which he approved. I have delayed 
doing any thing very pointed, because he was not here. The season thus 
far has been the wettest and most backward of any known in the coun- 
try. Wheat has no market at Montreal, neither has any thing else." 

In a letter to T. L. Ogden on the subject of taxes he said: 

" It is of all consequence that taxes be kept out of view as much as 
possible, and a tax of £100 in addition to those which must be raised for 
other purposes, would when all put together be more to each, than any 
man within the county ever paid in his life, let him come from whatever 
part of the world he might, I need not tell you the influence this would 
have upon the mind as well as pockets of all the settlers, and also the 
influence it would have upon those who contemplated emigating to the 
county. 

It is too obvious to need the smallest observation ; for there can be none 

but will readily believe the emigration would very soon be from, instead of 

into, the country. You will most undoubtedly agree with me in opinion, 

that all measures ought to be pursued which will have a tendency to 

promote and encourage settlement. This I take to be a primary object 

with all those who possess lands within the county, from which they 

expect to draw resource. Whilst I am upon the subject of taxes, I can not 

omit mentioning one circumstance which applies forcibly to this country, 

and is one which requires address and management in the affairs of the 

countyt to obviate its effects, and this arises from our proximity to 

Canada, where the taxes are very small, and scarce deserve a name. 

People will be drawing a parrallel, and when they find the taxes upon 

this side of the river to be so much higher than upon the other, I fear 

it will be difficult to explain away the effects which may be produced. 

The taxes last year were three times as high on this side of the river, as 

they were upon the other. I however explained the thing away very 

much in my settlement. People however talked and affected not to see 

what could make the difference. Our taxes now of course must be 

something higher, but if things are judiciously managed, I hope taxation 

will be circumscribed so as not to be oppressive. Many difficulties have 

this long time presented themselves to my mind upon those subjects, but 

never so forcibly as they have since my return home; and upon mature 

deliberation I concluded to make the following propositions, and if the 

county thought proper to accept the offer, I would set about the court 

bouse and jail, and before this time next yeai', I would have a room for 



AND FRANLKIN COUNTIES. 395 

the court, and also one jail room fitted, and the whole should be finished 
as soon as possible, and not repair the barracks. 

Proposition. — That every person should sign in wheat, as many bush- 
els as they thought proper,— to be paid in wheat, delivered at our mill, in 
the following manner, i in Feb., i in the Feb. following, and J tlie next 
Feb. The house to be set upon the east side of the Oswegatchie river. 
Ogden and Ford would subscribe $1000, take the wheat subscription 
upon themselves, and go on and finish the building at once. The coun- 
ty was very much disposed to take the offer, and very properly conclud- 
ed that they could never get a house upon so good terms, but Tibbets 
Turner and Foote, threw cold water upon it, and I did not think proper 
to urge the thing. Their opposition did not extend beyond their own 
settlement, and many of them thought the offer too generous to be slight- 
ed." 

In a confidential letter of August 8, 1802, the fear was expressed, that 
some project was on foot to extend the county back to the height of land, 
in which case the court house would undoubtedly fall in the great pur 
chase, or of dividing it by a line from the rear to the river. 

On the 18th of Sept., 1802, he wrote concerning the road. 

"I have got all the worst places cross-wayed; and to convince you I 
have effected something like a road, a waggon ftom the Mohawk river 
came through to Ogdensburg with me. I do not mean to tell you it is 
at this minute a good waggon road, but before cold weather, I intend it 
shall be so. I have finished the bridge over the east branch, (now 
Heuvelton), and a most complete one it is; there are few so good in any 
of our old counties." 

During this season, vigorous effoi'ts were made to collect materials 
for the court house. On the 12th of Nov., 1802, he wrote concerning 
the settlement: 

" Emigration this year has universally been less than it has been for 
several years past, and this I impute to the sudden fall of produce, in 
consequence of the peace From the high price of produce, land in our 
old settled country was pi'oportionate, and lands not experiencing the 
same sudden fall are still kept up by those who meant to sell and emi- 
grate; but the neighbor who meant to buy does not think he can (in 
consequence of the fall of produce), pay the price he expected he could, 
and the consequence is, the man does not sell, and as consequently does 
not emigrate. But this is a thing which will regulate itself, and emigra- 
tion must soon go on with its usual rapidity; for I can not learn there 
are any less children got in New England now, than there were when 
wheat was three dollars per bushel, and it is equally necessary that 
yaukees swarm as it is for the bees. We are getting on with our settle- 
ment, I have got three settlers out upon the new road, fifteen miles from 
this, and several intend going. I hope to have the road a good one, I 
mean to have it in my power to say it is by far the best new road I ever 
saw in a new country." 

The lumber trade, although often a source of loss at times, continued 
to be prosecuted, and one or two rafta were sent annually to MontreaL 



396 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

On the 10th of July, 1804, Mr. Ford wrote to Ogden concerning hla 
raft, &c. : 

" She sailed yesterday with flour, potash, pearl harley, hoards and plank, 
}dl of which I fear will yo to a dull market, but this is a fate attending 
doing business. We must hope for better times, and be the more in- 
dustrious. I found our business at home in as good a train as I could 
expect. The difiieulty of procin-ing labor in this country is unusually 
great. The high price of lumber last year, was such as to induce almost 
every body to drive at that business, wliicli takes off all the surplus 
labor this year. In old times, ' all the world went up to Jerusalem to be 
taxed,' but in modern days all the world go to Montreal with rafts, which 
if lam not mistaken will prove a heavier tax to them, than the old times 
people exjjerienced at Jerusalem. I have got our tanning business under 
way; we shall make about two hundred hides. 1 find the man 1 have 
employed in the business to be very industrious, and hope we shall find 
the business to answer. Since my arrival 1 have determined to set a 
still at work. I have employed a man who has the reputation of being 
clever at the distilling business. I have sent to Albany flnr a still of 150 
gallons, and a rectifier of 50 gallons. Tlie size of these I imagine is as 
profitable as any. At all events I do not wish to dip too deep before £ 
make the experiment. I brought in three masons from Troy to work at 
the couit house, and I hope to see the chimney above the roof to-morrow 
or next day at furtherest. My intention is to hold our November term 
in the house. After getting througli this and the two foregoing objects, 
I intend laying aside all further considerations in the building way, until 
we find ore, except it be to build a house, which I intend shall be of 
stone. I can not consent to jive in those old barracks nuich longer, and 
the groundwork of this fabric I intend shall be laid next summer. I 
found a number of setders had got on before my return. I have sold 
several farms since, and a number more are intending to purchase, but 
money they have not. I can plainlj' perceive, there will not a great 
length of time elapse before a race of people will come along who will 
purchase improvements." 

On the 17th of Nov., 1804, he wrote: " This season has passed away 
without hearing a word from you. Why you are thus silent I do not 
know. I told you in my last I was jogging away at the court house, and 
now I have tlie pleasure to tell you I have completed it, so as to be very 
comfortable and convenient. We have also finished one of the jails. 
The November term was held in the house, and the people of the county 
expressed much satisfaction in finding themselves in the possession of so 
much accommodation. It has been a pretty tough job to get along with 
it, for it has interfered very much with our business, but I hope the ef- 
fect will be to put an end to any court house dispute in the county. I 
have had the certificates regularly filed in the proper office, and it now 
becomes the court house and jail of the county. I told you also in my 
former letter, I was about setting up a distillery, and upon examining I 
found it would be more trouble to convert one of the block houses into 
a distillery than it would be to build a new one. The court house de- 
layed me so late in the fall that I only got at distilling a few days since. 
I hope we shall find it to answer. Our tannery we shall find to answer. 
The man whom I have employed Ifind to be very industrious, and a good 
workman. As to settlement, that progresses, but not vvitli the same ra- 
pidity which some other part of the county does. I have made a num- 
ber of sales this fall, and to some wlio are x'espectable people ; and one 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 39? 

sale I have made (which is not fully completed, and which if it takes 
place, which I do not doubt at present), of importance, for it is to a man who 
will pay half the money next spring, aud the residue in one or two years. 
He has been over the land and likes it well, and also the country gen- 
erally. He will purchase between 2 and 3,000 acres, and is to give $5 
per acre. Should this sale take place, there are a number of men of 
handsome property in Ulster county (from whence this man comes), who 
will also purchase and remove here. Although our sales are not rapid, 
we shall ultimately do better than those who are pressing off" their lands 
at the price they are, and upon so long a credit, for the rise of lands is 
much more advantageous to us than their interest will be to them. In 
either case no money is received. Nothing has been done or is doinjf 
about the road, and unless there is a different conduct among the pro- 
prietors there will not be by me." 

The subject of the road to the Mohawk, was never lost sight of until 
accomplished, which was done by a law of April 9, 1804, in which a 
lottery was created, for the purpose of raising $22,000, with 10 per cent 
in addition for expenses, to construct a road from Troy to Greenwich? 
Washington county, and from or near the head of the Long falls on Black 
river, (Carthage), in the county of Oneida, to the mills of Nathan Ford, 
at Osvvegatchie, in St. Lawrence county. The latter was to be six rods 
wide, and Nathan Ford, Alexander J. Turner, and Joseph Edsall, were 
appointed commissioners for making it. Owners of improved lands 
might require payment for damages. $12,000 of the above sum was ap- 
propriated for this road. If any person thought proper to advance money 
for either road, he might pay it into the treasury, to be repaid with in- 
terest out of the avails of the lottery. Vacancies in the office of com- 
missioners were to be filled by the governor. They were to be paid 
$1*50 per day. The summer of 1805 was devoted to the location and 
opening of the road, and on the 26th of October, 1805, Judge Ford 
wrote : 

"I have just returned from laying out the state road between Og- 
densburgh and the Long falls upon i?lack river, and I am happy to tell 
you we have great alterations (from the old road), for the better, as well 
also as shortening distance. This business took me nine days, and most 
of the time it was stormy, disagreeable weather. The difficulty I find 
in forming a plan how our lottery money can be laid out to the best 
advantage, makes me wish for some abler head than mine, to consult, or 
those wkh whom I am associated in the commission. To contract by 
the mile is very difficult, and to contract by the job, comprehending the 
whole distance, is still worse. After consulting and turning the business 
in all the ways and shapes it is capable of, I proposed to my colleague 
the propriety of employing a man of reputation, who had weight of 
character equal to the procuring of thirty good hands to be paid by the 
month, aud he to superintend the business. The superintendent to be 
handsomely paid, and he to carry on and conduct the business under the 
direction of the commissioners. This plan we have adopted, and I 



898 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

trust I liave found a man who is fully adequate to the task,* and we 
shall make our engagements to begin on the 25th of May. I hope no- 
thing will interiere which will obstruct our progressing. I am sorry to 
say i am not wholly without my fears, although I diu-st not whisper such 
an idea. You would be astonished to see how much pains are taken to 
counteract tliis object, by those who are settling lands to the east of us; 
and you would be equally astonished to see the exertion there i.s now 
making to get roads in every direction to lake Champlain. Their exer- 
tion is by no means fruitless, for they have worked through with several. 
This I however am happy to see; notwithstanding it produces to us a 
temporary evil, will eventually be a thing which can not fail to pro-- 
duce to us solid advantages; because through these avenues, we shall 
ultimately reap as great advantages as they will. All that can be said of 
the thing is, they are enjoying the first fruits. There is not now scarcely 
a town in the rear of us (in Macomb's great purchase), but what is open 
for sale, and have agents now on, that trumpet those lands to be the 
finest in the world; and these agents being yankees, who have connex- 
ions in the eastern states, have turned (he most of emigration that way. 
Those lands ai-e infinitely better, generally speaking, than we ever had 
an idea of, and the very low pi ice they are held at, induce vast numbers 
to stop at them, notwithstanding their original intentions were otherwise. 
But it is a fact, that nine-tenths of the first emigrants enquire for cheap 
lands, and the reason for their so doing, is because they expect to sell 
their improvements, and jog further. Those agents cry down the front 
lands as a poor, sunken and fever and ague country, and that lands have 
got to their value, and a thousand other stories, equally false and ridicu- 
lous. These together (or some one of them), have the effect to divert 
the unware traveler. By the dexterity of those fellows in the east, and 
the Black river jockeys to the west (whose brains arc equally inventive), 
they really have the effect to make our settlement interior. Were I to 
attempt to give you any adequate idea of the means made use of, to 
divert and keep back settlements upon the river towns, by these people, 
I should exhaust all my ingenuity, and then fall vastly short of the object. 
Suffice it to say, that no stone is left unturned ; but however much it may 
avail them for the present, its duration must be short. Thepatroon hav- 
ing stopped the sales in Lisbon and Canton, has been of great injury to 
us, because it has enabled the people I have just described, to assert that 
the sales of the river lands are stopped, and this has prevented many 
from coming on to view lands in our town. Finding that every species 
of foul play is practised against us, I have thought it good policy to send 
a man (who is very well qualified), to that part of Vermont from whence 
the greatest emigration to this coimtry comes, to make a true statement 
of the country, and lessen the force of misrepresentation, by exposing 
the fraud practised upon the credulity of those who seek a better country. 
I have also authorized him, after finding out proper influential characters, 
to privately assure them, if they come on and purchase, and use their 
influence to induce others to follow them, Iwill make it a consideration, 
which shall be to them an object. I have also employed another, who 
lives beyond the mountains, near the borders of New Hampshire, in the 
same business, and my determination is to show those fellows who have 
taken so much pains to prevent our town from settling, that it can be 
done. My time heretofore has been so much occupied with our business , 

* David Seymour, of Spilnjfield, Vt., the father of George N. Seymour, Esq., of Ogdens. 
burgh. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 399 

anrl my winters so wholly taken up in carrying out measures with the 
legislature, that I have not had it in my power to traverse tiie eastern 
states, and meet those agents there, and have an opportunity to do away 
their misrepresentations. There are a numherof peo[)le, who have been 
on their vvay to me (as has come to my knowledge), who have been turned 
aside by these fellows. Their wish was to settle upon the lands near 
the court house. When they have mentioned this, they have been confi- 
dentially told there is no court house in the county established by author- 
ity, and that there is no likelihood of the thing being substantially fixed 
here; but thnt their lands are in the centre of the county, and that there 
is no doubt but it will be there. They have caught many by this strata- 
gem. I should not be surprised if there should be an attempt to make 
a hub-bub about the court house; but I hope I have guarded that at all 
points, so as to baffle their designs. Envy and jealousy are very con- 
spicuous concerning the court house, and you would be surprised to see 
liow much pains have been taken to turn all the eastern roads from our 
town. 1 his I have looked at, without its being known that I have ob- 
served it, and when they had got the whole fixed very nnich to their 
minds, and as they sujiposed, so as to keep the whole emigration interior. 
When the board of supervisors set, I proposed to them to appropriate a 
sum of money for the purpose of opening a road from the east branch 
bridge to the northeast line of Canton, for the purpose of accommodat- 
ing that part of the county with a road which would fetch them to the 
court house six miles nearer than any other way; and as that interior 
country was rapidly settling, I thought it the duty of the board to facili- 
tate their comnuinication with the court house as much as possible. 
This idea the board fell in with, and we have appro!)riated between 
three and four hundred dollars to that object, and in drawing the reso- 
lution, I have taken care to word it in such a way as will run the road, 
not only so as to make the above accommodation, hut also so as to strike 
their main road, at a point which will exactly embrace all their other 
roads, by which we shall open an avenue through that part of our |)ur- 
chase in Dewitt (now a part of Russell), and give a full chance for those 
who wish to settle at Ogdensburgh. This stroke has disturbed much of 
their plans, and 1 suppose the board will have to suffer a little slander 
for appropriating public money for the public accommodation against 
their local interest. We shall have the conmiissioners out this fall, and 
have the road laid and recorded, and if possible, have it opened. After 
•we get it recorded, it will be out of their power (under present circum- 
stances), to get it altered, and this is what they fear. Much pains were 
taken last year, to have a sufficient number of towns set off, for the pur- 
])0se of overbalancing the board of supervisors. This they failed in. I 
foresee that much jarring interest and local consideration will compel 
us to meet that djssension which all new counties have experienced 
before us. It is a fatality incident to human nature, and we must not 
expect to be exempt from it. 

1 am hapi)y to tell you, we have got the east branch bridge finished, 
nnd I think it is not such a one as will get away as soon as the other did.* 
In my former letter I told you I had been obliged to rebuild the lower 
side of our dam. The frost had so injured it that it would not do to risk 
it another winter. This has been a heavy job. This, together with the 
bridge, repairing the two houses in town, and our ordinary business, has 
found vent for all the money I have been able to niuster. The want of 
capital obliges us to carry on business to a great disadvantage. If we 

* The brislge at this place had leen swept off in a freshet 



400 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

had capital sufficient to open business upon such a scale as tlie situation 
of tills pl.ico is c;ipal)le of, we could without doubt make tlie business 
support itself; but under tlio pruM-nt ciictuiistiinces it moves feebly in 
comparison to tbe dead ca|)ital. I hope we sball not always stand at 
the same point. You doul)tless recollect the letter you wrote me last 
I'ali upon tlie sulijcct of a cler<jyman beiiijf sent here under the direction 
of tlie bisiiop. That letter 1 answered fully, in which 1 stated the feelings 
and wishes of the settlers. 1 also mentioned to them the measures pur- 
suing by them to obtam a cler<iyman of their own persuasion. I also 
stated my opinion as to the poliuy of attemptiuff to urge, or in any way 
to direct their wishes in this matter. To that letter I would beg leave 
to refer you. Finding them determined to get one of the Presbyterian 
order, and their minds being fully l)ent upon that object, I concluded it 
was proper for me not to oppose, but fall in with their views, and take 
such a lead in the business as to prevent their getting some poor charac- 
ter Avho would probably be a harm rather than advantage to the settle- 
ment. Under tiiis impression I have united with thetn in giving a call 
to a Mr. Younglove, a gentleman of education and abilities, and who has 
been the first tutor of tlie college at Schenectada for three years.* His 
recommendations are highly honorable. He has spent six weeks with 
us, but has now returned to his friends in Washington county, and ex- 
pects to be back in February. I have suggested to him the id.ja of taking 
the charge of an academy here. An institution I (nake no scruple will 
answer well, for there is no such thing in Canada short of Montreal. If 
I can succeed in effecting this object, wliich at present I make no doubt 
of, it will be the means of adding much reputation to this place, and 
particularly so, by having it under tlie guidance of a man who has already 
established a reputation as a teacher. Our court room will afford good 
accommodations for the present. Upon his return I shall form a plan 
for carrying this desirable object into effect, and advertise the thing in 
our papers, and also the eastern and Montreal ])ai)ers. By this means 
full publicity will be given to the iustilution, and 1 think it can not fail 
to attach much reputation to the village of Ogdensburgh, and when we 
get a little more forward, and find the thing to succeed, we will build an 
academy. David and ids family left this yesterday for their new habita- 
tion in Morristown, where I hope they will be comfortable the ensuing 
winter. He writes you by the present conveyance. I have written you 
a number of letters this smnmer, but I ain sorry to tell you I have re- 
ceived none from you except tlie one by T. L. O. I can not conclude 
without telling you 1 fear the Indians will jockey about the lead mine, 
but if they should, we would have the gratification to know the specula- 
tion is a good one; the lands are settling rapidly. I am, however, not 
without hope we shall finally attain our t)l)ject. Believe me with much 
affiiction, your friend, 

Col. SamH Ogden. N. Ford. 

To counteract the influence of traveling agents, Mr. Ford, in the winter 
of 1805, '6, also sent men to travel through the districts in which the 
emigrating epidemic prevailed, and published in two of the papers in 
Vermont, giving a little history of the county. Dr. J. W. Smith was one 

* The Rev. John Yomiglove, A. M., S. T. D., graduated at Union Collefre in 1S01. In tlie 
followMig- year lie Wiis appointed lulor, and was one ol' llic two first who held that office in 
that college lie had held that place until ISdS, when he received the call as above slated. 
It does not appear that he settled there, although he spent some time here. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 401 

of the persons employed to influence emigrants. Of tlie articles he 
said: 

"I shall prepare another and forward in February. The doctor (to 
whom I shew them), says they're calculated to be useful in Vermont, and 
is surprised that something has not been done long since. I have ever 
been of opinion it was as easy to write the county into notice as it was 
the Genesee, and have frequently requested your sons David and Lud- 
low to do it, but it seems they did not, and "] am conscious my pen is 
too feeble. But I presume I have done the thing in such a way as will 
do no harm if it does no good. All I can say is that a plain simi)Ie slory 
sometimes takes effect, provided it be so told that no suspicion is attach- 
ed to it, and I have tried to guard my expressions so as to prevent that. 
There has not been any opf)ortunity'for me to hear from Vei-mont yet. 
This I however expect daily. I very much suspect some attem))t will 
be made at the legislature for dividing the avails of the lottery, for the 
pur|)ose of expending a part of it upon the Champlain road. 1 have 
written to my friends in the legislature, guarding tliem against it. I 
mentioned to you that the board of supervisors have granted a sum of 
money for making a road from the east branch bridge to intersect that 
and other roads which had been laid out by those interior peoj)le, for 
the purpose of turning the emigration fromthe front towns, and that I 
expected it would make a noise. They kept themselves tolerably peace- 
able, hoping and expecting nothing would be done until after "the next 
town meeting, when they would change the commissioners of Canton 
and Lisbon. In this they have been anticipated, for we have contracted 
for the making the road and building the bridge over the natural canal, 
and making the crossway through the swam[), and the hands are now at 
work at it. Before town meeting we hope to have the heaviest of it 
completed. They have no hope now to prevent the thing, but gratify 
themselves by railing against the supervisors for granting the money. 
This I disregard. Business as usual will take me to Albany in the latter 
part of February. How long I shall be detained thei-e is very uncertain. 
I shall from thence pay you a visit." 

Having quoted freely from the correspondence down to the time when 
it ceased to relate to the settlements, we will resume the history of Og- 
densburgh. The village was surveyed the second or third year of the 
settlement, and the streets named at first as now, with trifling exceptions. 
The first house erected and finished was the present American hotel. 
The place was named from Jsamuel Ogden, who was a son of David 
Ogden, and had seveial brothers. On the occurrence of the revolution- 
ary war, the father and all of the sons except Abram, (the father of David 
A. Ogden, an owner of Madrid,) and Samuel, adhered to the royal cause. 
These two were disinherited by their father for their political faith. 
Samuel Ogden was for many years engaged in the iron business in New 
Jersey. He bore the tide of colonel, although he is believed to have held 
no office and took no part in the revolutionary war. He married a sister 
of Gouverneur Mori'is, and the acquaintance which resulted from this 
relation, led him to become concerned extensively in the land purchases 
of the western part of the state, and in the township of Oswegatchie and 



402 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

elsewhere. He lived for a time at Trenton, N. J., and owned an estate 
which afterwards was purchased by General jMoreau. He subsequently 
resided in Newark, N. J., where he died about 1818. David B. Ogden, 
whom we have had occasion to mention as concerned in the titles was 
a son of S. Ogden. 

In 1802, was held the first celebration of our national anniversary iti 
Ogdensburgh, if not in the county. It was held at the old barracks, and 
3Tr. John King, in the employment of Ogden & Ford, delivered the ora- 
tion. In 1804, a pleasant celebration was held, at which a party of both 
sexes from Canada united vi^ith the villagers in the festivities of the occa- 
sion. A dinner was prepared by Judge Ford, as was his custom for 
several years, and in the evening fireworks were first displayed. They 
were prepared on the premises, and said to have been very fine. Many 
of the Canadians previous to the war, were accustomed to cross to our 
side, and join in celebrating our national anniversary, and even the war 
itself, although it temporarily checked the intercourse along the lines by 
inspiring mutual fear and suspicion, did not long separate those people 
who had many interests in common. In 1813, along the lower part of 
St. Lawrence county, old neighbors began to exchange visits by night, 
and continued to do so more or less privately till the peace. 

There were living in the village of Ogdensburgh in 1804, but four 

families, viz: Slosson, on the corner diagonally opposite the St. 

Lawrence hotel ; Dr. Davis, on the ground now covered by E. B, Allen's 
residence; George Davis, who kept an inn at the American hotel; and 
a Mr. Chapin, in State street near the Ripley house. There was a store 
kept by Judge Ford at the old barracks, and occasionally the settlers had 
the opportunity of shopping on board of Durham boats from Utica, in 
which goods were displayed for sale. 

In the summer of 1803, Mr. Washington Irving, then a young man, 
came into the county with some of the proprietors, and remained a short 
time. His name occurs on several old deeds as a witness. In 1804, 
Mr. Louis Hasbrouck, the first county clerk, who had been on for two 
years previously, removed with his family, and settled in the village. 

In November, 1804, Francis Bromigem, David Grifiin, Richard M. 
Lawrence, John M. Lawrence, John Lyons, Wm. B. Wright, Seth War- 
ren, Archibald McClaren, and Stephen Slawson, were returned as grand 
jurors, and Daniel McNeill, Wm. Sharp, and John Stewart, as petit 
jurors in Oswegatchie. 

In 1808, the unsold portions of the village plat was purchased by David 
Parish, who first visited the town in the fall of that year, and measures 
Were immediately taken to create at this point a commercial interest that 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 403 

should contest with every other port on the river and lake for superiority. 
In this year a bridge was built by a Mr. Aldrich at a cost of $1,5C0, which 
was warranted to last five years, and wliich stood fifteen. In 1829 and 
in 1847 Legislative provision was made for rebuilding the bridge. In the 
fall of 1808, the firm of J Rosseel & Co., sustained by the capital of Mr. 
Parish, commenced mercantile operations and brought on $40,000 worth 
of goods, which were opened in a temporary store until a permanent 
building could be erected. 

On November 10th, 1808, the building of two schooners was com- 
menced by Mr. Jonathan Brown, of New York, who with Selick Howe 
was sent on from New York for that purpose by Mr. Parish. Two ves- 
sels, the Collector and the Experiment were built during that winter and 
the following summer. The first one launched was the schooner Experi- 
ment, which occurred on the 4th of July, 1809, and this formed a part 
of the exercises of the day. A very handsome celebration was got up 
for this occasion ; an oration delivered by a Mr. Ogden, a lawyer from 
New Jersey, at the court house^ and a dinner was prepared in a beautiful 
walnut grove, on the present site of the marble row. Great numbers of 
Canadians participated in the proceedings with spirit. The yard in which 
the Experiment was built, was on the site of Amos Bacon's store! She 
was subsequently commanded by Capt. Holmes, and had a burthen of 
50 tons. The second vessel was the schooner Collector, launched in the 
latter part of the summer of 1809, and made several trips up the lake 
that season under Capt. Obed Mayo, and the next year she was run by 
Capt. Samuel Dixon. Her first arrival was Nov. 15, 1809, with salt and 
dry goods from Oswego. She was owned by Rosseel &i. Co. On the 
following summer (1810), the tliird schooner, the Genesee Packet, was 
launched and rigged. She was owned and commanded by Capt. Mayo. 
On the 5th of July, 1810, Mr. Rosseel wrote to his patron as follows: 
" We have renounced the project of building boats, since with them we 
could not enter into competition with the Kingstonians, in the line of 
transporting produce down the St. Lawrence, a rivalship which we are 
solicitous to maintain, though we work for glory; we therefore have re- 
solved to combine building arks." Early in the season of 1809 Mr. 
Rosseel proceeded to Montreal, to procure from thence laborers, where 
he engaged about 40 Canadians to work by the mouth, and bought two 
bateaux to take them up to Ogdensburgh, with blankets, peas for soup, 
&c., each receiving a month's wages in advance for their families' sup- 
port. These bateaux were afterwards used in bringing sand from Nettle- 
ton's point, above Prescott, for the mortar used in building, the cement 
of which is i-emarkably hard. The stone building at the wharf was com- 



404 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

menced on the 7tli of May, under tlie direction of D. W. Church, and 
ill June Mr. David Parisli's brick house. The commercial and mercan- 
tile enterprise of the company prospered for a season, and tiie vessels 
belonging to the port of Ogdenshurgh became the carriers on the lake, 
and at the breaking out of the war it was growing more rapidly than 
any port on the lake. 

The earliest record of a school in Ogdenshurgh which we have been 
able to find, is the followijig memorandum furnished by Mr. Joseph 
Rosseel, dated Nov. '24, 1809: " Upon application of some of our villages, 
I have granted the house destined for Capt. Cherry's bivouac, as a place 
for the use of a school, for upwards of thirty children, whose parents 
have engaged I\lr. Richard Hubbard for a teacher." Mr. H. was from 
Charleston, N. H., and his numbers increased from 6 up to 10 or 12. 
The accommodation having been found too small, a dwelling house was 
assigned, and soon after a school house was built. 

In 1850, the spacious and elegant school house on Franklin street, in 
district No. 1, was erected. The accompanying engraving does not ade- 
quately represent the premises, which are arranged in a manner that 
might serve as a model for those school officers who contemplate the 
erection of a convenient and well arranged school hoose. It is located 
on a lot of about three-quarters of an acre in area, in wjiat is at present 
near the border of the village, but which will shortly be the centre of a 
dense population. It is of brick, 48 by 60 feet on the ground, two 
stories high, and surmounted by a belfry containing a bell, and has cost 
with the fixtures and improvements nearly three thousand dollars. The 
first story is occupied by two schoolrooms for small scholars, with sepa- 
rate play grounds for the two sexes. These yards are with a high and 
close fence, and communicate with the street and school rooms, but 
not with each other. The second story is occupied by a single spacious 
room with arched ceiling, and conveniences for ensuring ventilation, 
and furnished with seventy seats. The whole building is capable of ac- 
commodating about four hundred and fifty scholars, under the super- 
vision of three teachers, and lacks nothing in the way of maps and 
black boards for illustrating the rudiments of education, or of convenient 
yards, wood rooms and other fixtures to promote the comfort, health and 
happiness of children. It was built under the direction of Dr. S. N. 
Sherman, A. B. James, and Otis Glynn, trustees. 

The approach of the war arrested the growth of the village, as well as 
that of the country in general, and the embargo entirely stopped its com- 
merce. These evils began to be felt for several years previous, and judge 
Ford as early as August 18, 1807, in writing to S. Ogden, said: 

" The sound of war has palsied the sales of land in this county. The 




Uimloii SmiUi.-i'. 2t:!— 041. 




School Uouso. A^i^aioL No. i., Uriacnsburgh. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 407 

prospect of immigration this fall to the countj', was vastly flattering, and 
among the number were men of property and respectability. This im- 
happy affair will very materially affect our prospects in the money line. 
I yet hope I shall receive a payment, which if I do, I shall not fail to al- 
leviate your present wants. 1 however, am apprehensive that the gentle- 
man (who is now out) will fear to return, for much is said of the Indians, 
and much pains is taken by some y)eoi)le upon the other side of the river, 
to inspire a belief that the Indians will be employed by the British govern- 
ment, and their numbers are immensely magnified. 7'his, as is natural, 
frightens the old women, and the anxiety and commotion among them 
is astonishing. Many are for flying immediately, whilst others are so 
frightened they do not know which way to run. This constant theme of 
fear, originating with the women, puts the d — 1 into some of the men, 
and some among them are becoming as old-womanish as the women 
themselves. These men I abuse for their cowardice, and the women's 
fears I soothe, but I fear all my exertions will be in vain, for it is incredible 
what friglitlul stories are going upon this subject. Should the war-whoop 
continue and curtail us in the receipt of that money so certainly expected, it 
Avill be totally out of my power to afford you that aid you wish. It would 
have been out of my power to have given you assistance when I was in 
Jersey, if Mr Lewis had not promised me he would answer my draft 
upon him in October. Upon the promise I purchased my goods upon 6 
months credit, and gave you his note lor what he could then pay, together 
with the ready money I had, Thpse two, together with what money I 
had to pay upon our Dewitt purchase, made up a sum of almost two 
thousand dollars. By this means I was under the necessity of going in 
debt, and to people who are not m a situation to lay out of their money; 
with them we have not heretofore had dealings, and who coinit upon 
punctuality. * * * Out of all the money we have due in this coun- 
try, I am confident I shall not be al)le to command five hundred dollars. 
I need not urge upon you the necessity of cherishing that credit and re- 
putation whi''h we have established in the course of our business, neither 
need I give you any new assurance how much pleasure it would afford 
me to have it in my power to help you to such sums as I may be able. 
1 really viewed tlie time as having arrived when you might have calcu- 
lated upon a certainty from your estate here, and nothing but the dread- 
ful dilemma into which our country is now plimged, could have [)revented 
it. I yet hope the whirlwind may pass by without material injury. * * 
What makes this Avar-whoop more particularly disadvantageous to 
us at this time, is the event which we have so long anticipated being upon 
the eve of taking place, of this becoming the place of a depot instead of 
Kingston. Two of the principal merchants residing at the head of the 
lake, called upon me when on their way down the river with their pro- 
duce, to know if arrangements could not be made for receiving and for- 
warding their produce to market, provided they should be able to con- 
tract with the owners of vessels, so as to make it their interest to come to 
Ogdensbnrgh, instead of Kingston. 1 told them I was not prepared at 
that moment to answer them decisively, but if they would call upon me 
upon their way up, I would by that Ume make an estimate, and give them 
an answer what I could do the business for. Last weektliey called, and 
we found no difficulty in agreeing upon the price of forwarding, but they 
found this war business would interfere. They however, told me they 
would make it a business to see the owners of vessels, and if this war 
sound should blow over, write me immediately, that I might make the 
necessary arrangements. To set this husiness properly in motion, will 
take considei'able money. Therefore much caution is to be used, that a 



408 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

foiliire on our part should not take place. If we can but get the tiling in 
motion, it will produce an effect that will be solid. Should the temper 
and times admit of going into this business, I shall be under the neces- 
sity of sending to the Susquehainiah for those people who have been in 
the habit of making arks and managing them. I do not think the busi- 
ness of ark building is sufficiently understood by any person in this 
country, to hazard any thing to their management, and as the success of 
this business is very much to depend upon economy and accurate man- 
agement, I think we had better go to the expense at once of procuring 
men who already understand the business, than hazard it to those who 
must learn from experience." 

N. Ford. 
On the 18th of December, 1807, he said: 

" When I wrote you last, I told you the sound of war was like to palsy 
emigration, and I am sorry to add, a continuation of the war-whooj) has 
comi)Ietely produced that effect, and if one can judge from theactsof the 
adininistration, the chances are much in favor of war measures, though 
I presume Jefi'erson does not calculate to fight himself! I hope and trust 
there will good sense and moral honesty yet be (otind in the peo[)le of 
America, to avert the im[)ending storin. The extreme Avet season has 
prevented the post making the regular tours, by which I am much in 
the dark how i)ropects in the political hemisphere are likely to stand. *** 
Shou'd this unpleasant busde blow over this winter, I presume we may 
calculate tfie ensuing summer will produce to the county many valuable 
settlers, who are laying back from no other cause than to see the fate of 
the present commotion. Very i'ew sales h^sve been made in the county 
this year, and most of those which have been made, were to that de- 
scri|»tion of people who may be considered as the first run, and conse- 
quently are of the moneyless kind. The people in the county have very 
much got over their first fright about war, and lhof)e should it come, they 
will have spunk enough to stand their ground, and manfully defend their 
property. The d — 1 of it is, we have neither gmis nor ammunition to do 
with. I suppose upon a proper representation to Jefferson, he might be 
induced to send us up one of his gim boats; — it might as well travel our 
new road, as plow through the sandy corn fields of Georgia. I think an 
application of this kind made through Slone of New Jersey, might be 
attended to at least by Slone, whose capacity is not equal to distinguish- 
ing but that such application and tnode of conveyance would be per- 
fectly proper and consistent. 1 ho[)e you will write me often, and give 
me a sketch of the times. I shouki like to know a little before hand how 
the guillotine is like to work. That is a machine much more likely to 
travel than Jefferson gun boats, and my o[)inion is the Democrats will 
never rest until they erect a few of those kind of shaving mills." 

The reader is referred to the chapter on the war, for the details of the. 
incidents that occurred here during that period. For many years afler- 
terwards business languished, and the country was a long time in re- 
covering from the depression of business which it occasioned. A fort to 
be called Fort Oswegalchie was begun, and after the war some thoughts 
of finishing it were entertained, but the work was never prosecuted. 
During the summer of 1817, Mr. Monroe, the President, made a tour 
through the northern states, and visited Ogdensburgh. He reached 
Hamilton from P'attsburgh, July 31st, and on the following day he was 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 409 

met by a party of gentlemen from Ogdensburgh, and carried into town, 
preceded by a band of music; and became the guest of Mr. George 
Parish. He there received the respects of the citizens, and the trustees 
and inhabitants, through Louis Hasbrouck, Esq., who deliver'ed him the 
following address. 

"Sir: — The trustees and inhabitants of this village welcome with pe- 
culiar satisfaction, your arrival iu health among them, after your long 
and fatiguing journey, through many of our yet infant settlements. In 
common with the nation, we have viewed with much interest, your im- 
I)ortant tour along our seaboard and frontier, particularly confiding in 
your observation, wisdom, and experience, for the establishment of such 
points of national defence along our immediate border, as will best pro- 
mote our individual prosperity, and strengthen the' national security. 
Born and educated under a government whose laws we venerate, enjoy- 
ing a soil rich in the bounties of Providence, and grateful for the invalu- 
able blessings of liberty, bequeathed to us by the heroes of the revolu- 
tion, no excitement shall be wanting on our part, to maintain, defend, 
and transmit to posterity, the benefits we so eminently possess. Expe- 
rience however has taught us, that individual or sectional exertions, be 
they ever so ardent, unless aided by the protecting and strong arm of 
government, afford but a feeble defence against a powerful foe. Placed 
on a frontier contiguous to a \\arlike and powerful nation, enjoying the 
advantage of an extensive and increasing navigation, it is peculiarly im- 
portant that our local situation should be well understood. At the com- 
mencemeut of the late war, the attention of government was in the first 
instance naturally drawn to the defence of that extensive line of sea 
coast, on which the immense maritime force of the enemy could be more 
effectually exerted, and consequently the more remote and interior de- 
fences did not perhaps, receive the protection which their importance 
warranted. 

But commencing your administration in a time of profound peace, 
enjoying the confidence of the nation, and presiding over a gevern- 
ment proud of its honor, tenacious of its rights, and possessing the re- 
quisite resources, we flatter ourselves, should any collision hereafter take 
place (which we pray heaven to avert), your penetration and judgment, 
aided by your local observations, will have pointed out and perfected 
such a line of defences, as will ensure our personal safety, and redound 
to the honor and prosperity of the nation. That you may establish these 
desirable objects, progress in your important tour in safety, and return 
happily to the bosom of your domestic circle, is, sir, the fervent prayer of 
your obedient servants." 

His excellency made a verbal reply to the following effect: 

" He thanked the citizens of Ogdensburgh for their attention, and very 
polite reception ; he received them as marks of respect to the first magis- 
trate of the nation, not by any means arrogating them to himself as an 
individual. It gave him great pleasure because it evinced an attachment 
of the people to that form of government, which they themselves had 
established. He was ^Satisfied they held its value in just estimation, and 
were sincerely devoted to its preservation, and in administering it, he 
would support its principles, and, to his best ability, promote the in- 
terests of the country. As the address correctly stated, his journey was 
connected with objects of national defense, and was undertaken for the 
26 



410 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

purpose of acquiring such information, as would better enable him to 
discharge the duties of his office, that large sums of money had been 
appropriated by the government, the judicious application of which de- 
pended much on tiie executive. He perfectly agreed, that the time of 
y)eace was the best time to prepare for defense, but had much pleasure 
in stating, that the best understanding prevailed between our govern- 
ment and that of Great Britain, and was persuaded he had every reason 
to look for a permanent peace. He said that the importance of the 
situation along the St. Lawrence had not escaped his observation, and 
during his progress in this country, he was much gratified to find it fer- 
tile and abundant, and inhabited by enterprising, industrious, and he be- 
lieved a virtuous people." 

In the evening the President was joined by Major General Brown, of 
the United States army, and his whole suite, accompanied by whom he 
repaired to Morristown, and lodged with the honorable Judge Foi'd. 

On Saturday the 2nd, he viewed Mr. Parish's xtensive and very valu- 
able iron works at Rossie, considered to be an establishment of great 
public importance, and usefulness to the surrounding country. From 
Rossie he proceeded to Antwerp, where he was met by Mr. Le Ray, and 
others, and conducted to Le Rayville, where he spent the night. 

[Mtrrative of a Tour of Observation, by James Monroe, p. 187.] 
Hie village of Ogdensburgh was incorporated April 5, 1817, and the 
charter then granted, has been amended, April 29, 1839, and June 20, 
1851. By the latter act the bounds were extended eastward to the Tib- 
bets tract in Lisbon, and westward to the lands of Henry Van Rensse- 
laer, and it was divided into three wards, of which No. 1 includes all 
between the Oswegatchie and Franklin street. No. 2, all west of the Oswe- 
gatchie, and No. 3, the remainder. The officers consist of a president: 
a trustee, and an assessor, in each ward; a police justice, a collector, and 
one or more constables; a chief engineer and two assistants, for the fire 
department, and one or more street commissioners. The above down 
to constables, are elected annually on the 1st Tuesday of April. A fire 
depai'tment was organized in 1820, and a company formed in July 1827. 
The village at present owns three fire engines; a fourth is owned by in- 
dividuals, and a fifth by the rail road company. Large reservoirs have 
very lately been built at central points for use in fires. On the 27th of 
May, 1824, the name of Euphamia, was changed to State, and of Ger- 
trude to Franklin streets. 

St. Lawrence county in general, and that portion bordering on the river 
in particular, partook of the general alarm that spread like an epidemic 
through the country, on the aproach of the Asiatic cholera in 1832. The 
village of Ogdensburgh suffered considerably from this pestilence, and 
strict sanitary regulations were adopted in this and other frontier towns, 
in pursuance of the recommendations of the legislature in an act passed 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 411 

at a special session convened for the occasion. Quarantine grounds 
were established, at first at the mouth of the Osvvegatchie, and after- 
wards at Mile point, the site of the present depot, where crafts from 
Canada were to be detained fifteen days. The following facts are 
mostly derived from an address delivered before the St. Lawrence 
medical society, by their president, Dr. S N. Sherman, who had witnessed 
the progress of the pestilence at that place, and was a believer in ita 
non-contagious character. 

"In June, 1832, the disease appeared in America, the first case having 
occurred in Quebec, on the 8th of that month. On the 14th, it appeared 
at Montreal, and on the 17th, at Ogdensburgh, though not in its severest 
grade. On the 21st of June, the first fatal case occurred at that place. 
During the period from the 8th to the 21st of June, it was computed that 
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty citizens of Ogdensburgh and 
vicinity, were in the cities of Montreal and Quebec, or occupied on boats 
and rafts, in the passage to or from thence. Some, it is true, on tiieir 
passage down, laid up their boats and returned, but of all that number 
engaged in navigating the St. Lawrence, not one, so far as was known, 
died of cholera, or was attacked by it. The case that occurred on the 
21st of June, was that of a Frenchman, of dissipated habits, and broken 
down constitution. He assured those around him on his death bed, that 
he had not crossed the St. Lawrence in a fortnight, and could not there- 
fore have caught the disease by ordinary contagion. Tiie second fatal 
case, was that of a child four years of age, at least half a mile from the 
residence of the former. The third case was also that of a Frenchman, 
living in a quarter remote from the others, and who had not been out of 
the village lor weeks. The fourth case occured near one of the wharves, 
and the subject of it had not left the village, but subsequently an aged 
couple with whom he boarded, sickened and died of the disease. The 
fifth case occurred a mile from the village, on the Heuvelton road, the 
subject of which had been in no other house, and not a stone's throw 
from her own, for the last fortnight. 

Cases followed in quick succession; first here, tomorrow at a point 
half a mile distant, and next day in a quarter equally remote and under 
circumstancesthatstrongly tended to prove the non-contagious character 
of the disease. Precise data of the mortality of the cholera at Ogdens- 
burg are not preserved, as none of the physicians kept a journal of the 
cases, and the records of the board of health are lost. The number of 
cases reported was about 160, and of death, 49. In 1834, the numbers 
attacked were not more than ten, of whom seven died. It is but just, 
however, to remark, that the mortality in [jroportion to the number of 
cases in the above estimates, is too large, as no cases were counted in 
which the third stage or state of callapse, had not made more or less ' 
progress. In 1832, by common consent, the physicians reported no case 
as cholera, unless among other symptoms, the rice water discharges, 
vomiting, violent cramping of the muscles of the limbs or trunk, or both, 
the broken or cholera voice, and more or less blueness of the skin 
occurred. Had all the cases been reported, in which the disease was 
checked in the earlier stages, the number would have been increased to 
hundreds. This custom was adopted in Philadelphia, and other cities, 
and the less rate of mortality which they exhibit is thus explained. 
In the city of Paris, there were treated in a given time, 10,274 cases, of 



412 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

whom 1,453 died. In New York, of 5,814 cases, 2,935, or about 52 per 
cent were fatal. In Quebec, there had died of cholera, up to September 
1, 1832, 2,218, and the city probably did not number over 28,000 inhabi- 
tants, wliich skives a mortality of eight per cent, of the whole population. 
In Philadelphia, there died 754, out of 2,500 cases. In Montreal, the 
mortality of the disease was greater than in any American city, except 
Quebec. No reports were made of it in 1834, from its having been 
deemed the wiser policy to excite as little as possible the attention of the 
public mind to the subject, and thus avoid the general state of the con- 
sternation and alarm which are well known to operate so powerfully in 
producing fatal results in nimierous cases, and which is thought to have 
increased the mortality of the disease in 1832." 

The state of alarm which pervaded the frontier on the approach of the 
cholera, and the stringent quarantine regulations which were imposed 
upon all persons coming from the provinces into the states, checked for 
a season, all business and communication on the St. Lawrence, and in- 
creased the alarm which was felt in relation to the disease. Intercourse 
was not established along the river for several weeks, and the public 
mind but slowly recovered from the panic which the pestilence had 
occasioned. We have given on page 167, an account of the ravages of 
the cholera at the Indian village of St. Regis, which in severity, has 
scarcely a parallel in the history of this fearful malady. The following 
memoranda from the records of the board of supervisors, show the 
expenses which were incurred in the several towns in the organization 
of boards of health, and the establishment of sanatary I'egulations. 

"Brasher, $8-.')0; Canton, $120; Dekalb, $6-50; Edwards, $5; Fow- 
ler, $6; Gouverneur, $9; Hammond, $18*25 ; Depeau, $5; Hopkinton, 
$5; Lawrence, $5; Lisbon, $10; Louisville, $9*87; Madrid, $87-87; 
Massena, $13; Morristown,$164-37; Norfolk, $6; Oswegatchie, $2463; 
(Ogdensburgh $780-33); Pierrepont, $4-25 ; Potsdam, $24-48; Stockholm, 
$7; Total, $1,351-46." 

The completion of the Oswego canal was the first public work that 
conferred a benefit upon Ogdensburgh, or St. Lawrence county, as they 
thus first gained a direct avenue to market. The Erie canal hindered 
the growth of this portion of the state, more than it promoted it, by 
opening new, cheap and fertile land to the settler, the produce from 
which could be sent to market at less expense than that from this coun- 
ty, and thus great numbers were induced to emigrate. In the great era 
of speculation and high prices in 1836, in connection with the extraordi- 
nary mineral resources then being developed, a new impulse was given, 
and measures were adopted to improve the hydraulic power of the 
place, by the purchase of the water privilege and erection of mills. 

This right had passed from Ford to Thomas Denny, and was bought 
by Smith Stilwell, in 1836, for $30,000, and has since been sold to in- 
dividuals who are bound by certain regulations, to sustain the expenses 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 413 

which their maintenance may require. A canal is extended down to 
below the bridge, and with the exception of a few weeks in summer, 
affords an ample supply for the extensive mills and manufactories upon 
it. The dam built by Judge Ford, in 1796, has with some repairs, 
lusted till the present time, and is still good. 

A most destructive fire occurred at Ogdensburgh on the night between 
the 16th and 17th of April, 1839, by which nearly half the business por- 
tion of the village was laid in ashes. The loss was estimated at but litde 
less than $100,000. The irritation that then existed on the frontiers led 
to the suspicion that it was the work of an incendiary. 

This fire consumed the premises on the southwest corner of State and 
Ford streets, including the post office, Republican printing office, and a 
large number of stores and shops. The loss has been estimated at 
nearly $100,000. 

On the morning of the 1st of September, 1852, another fire consumed 
a large amount of property on Ford and Isabella streets, extending from 
the store of G. N. Seymour nearly to Washington street, and shortly after 
two other destructive fires burned a large amount of property on Ford 
street, including the office of the St. Lawrence Republican and the en- 
tire premises belonging to the Hasbrouck estate, and represented in our 
engraving on page 209. 

Circumstances connected with these fires, excited suspicions with some 
that they were the work of an incendiary. A portion of the burnt dis- 
trict has been rebuilt, and ere long it is pi*esumed the whole will be oc- 
cupied by blocks of elegant buildings. As an emporium of commerce, 
and the natural limit of navigation by sail vessels, the port of Ogdens- 
burgh enjoys advantages incomparably superior to those of any port on 
the river, and this feature of the location presented itself to the minds of 
the French in their selection of a site for a mission, the English in their 
retention of it as a fur station, and the early purchasers under the state 
as a point for the estabhshment of a commercial interest and the nucleus 
of a new settlement. 

The completion of the Northern rail road has done infinitely more 
than all other causes combined to give an impulse to the prosperity of 
Ogdensburgh and of Northern New York generally, and in our history 
of improvements will be found an account of the origin, progress and 
completion of that work. This, in connection with the system of Cana- 
dian roads in progress and the great natural advantages of the place, can 
not fail to give it an eminence as [a commercial point which it so truly 
desei'ves. Its streets are adorned with many buildings that for elegance 
and durability would do credit to any of our largest cities. The traveler 
will find at its several hotels those conveniences and attentions which 



414 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



render the tourist's life agreeable, and the capitalist an opportunity for 
investment that can not fail to richly remunerate. We here present a 
view of one of the hotels. 




St. Lawrence Hotel, Ogdensburgh, N. Y. 

This hotel is on the corner of State and Ford streets; the main build- 
ing on the corner was built in 1842, and the addition on the right, (the 
lower story of which is occupied by stores, and which is known as the 
Seymour block), in 1851. The whole has a front of 132 feet on State and 
94 on Ford streets. Besides the public halls, parlors, &c., it has 86 sleep- 
ing apartments, and from the observatory on the top a splendid view of 
the village, the river, and the Canada shore for many miles, is afforded. It 
IS ownedby Geo. N. Seymour, Esq., and kept by Brown, Sperry & Co. 

A cemetery association was incorporated under the general act July 
26, 1847, with Geo. N. Seymour, Elijah B. Allen, John Fine, Collins A. 
Burnham, Edwin Clark, David C Judson, Wm. Brown, Amos Bacon, 
and James G. Hopkins, trustees. It was dedicated on the 18.h of Sept., 
1847, by the clergy and citizens, at which an address was delivered by 
the Hon. John Fine, and suitable religious exercises and the singing of 
a hymn composed for the occasion by Mr. C. T. Pooler, closed the ex- 
erc.sesof the day. The circumstances of such an occasion, were pe- 
cuharly calculated to make a serious and lasting impression; as a few 
r evolving years would doubtless lay beneath the surface upon which they 



a; A 

AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 415 

stood many who participated in the exercises of the day. The cemetery 
is situated on the bank of the Oswegatchie, about a mile from the village, 
and when the premises are completed after the contemplated plnu, will 
be at once an appropriate and ornamental ground, and will compare fa- 
vorably with the cemeteries of most towns of the size. 

The Ogdenshiirsh Library was incorporated June 10, 1838, with 
George Guest, Bishop Perkins, James G. Ho|)kins, Charles Lawton, and 
Baron S. Doty, trustees. This is believed to have been dissolved several 
years. School district No. 1, in this village, has the largest public library 
in the county. 

The Ogdenshurf^h Jtheneum was the name of a society organized at 
that place in 1830, for the purpose of obtaining for the perusal of its 
members, the principal periodicalsof Europe and America. It continued 
in operation about three years. This was the first effort for the establish- 
ment of an association for mutual benefit. Courses of lectures had oc- 
casionally been given by citizens and strangers, and in the winter of 
1851-2, a very general interest was felt in a series of lectures which were 
got up'under tlie name of a Lyceum, and at the expense of afund raised 
for the purpose in the village. While these lectures were in progress, 
the m-oject of a more permanent and useful organization was discussed, 
and on the last evening of the course, a consultation was held, which 
eventually resulted in the formation of a Young Men's w3ssocia<ion, adopt- 
ing for its constitution that of the Albany association. 

This organization was effected May 8, 1852, there having been pre- 
viously circulated a subscription for obtaining the means necessary for 
the purposes. The price of membership was fixed at $5, and the con- 
dition of the subscription was, that forty members should be procured 
before an association should be formed. In two months from the date 
of the adoption of the constitution and by-laws, the numbei- was m-, 
creased to fifty members. On the 9th of July the followmg officers were 
chosen : 

Rev. L. Merrill WMer, president ; S. Foote, A. B. James, Z. B. Bridges, 
vice presidents; R. Slade, recording secretary ; E. M. Holbrook, correspond- 
ingsecretanj; George Morris, ireo^urer; J. G. Hopkins, H. G. Foote, W. 
C Brown, P. R. Randall, R. W. Judson, R. G. Pettibone, R. Morris, S. 
S' Blod<ret, H. H. Humphrey, H. F. Lawrence, managers. Ihe latter, 
With the" other officers above named, constitute an executive committee. 
Sub committees on rooms and fixtures, on the supply of the reading 
room the library, &c., and others to procure donations and subscriptions, 
and to make arrangemencs for lectures, were appointed. Commodious 
rooms in the second story of Judson's block, opposite the St. Lawrence 
hotel, were taken, a small but select library purchased, and a reading 
room supplied with all the standard magazines and numerous papers, 
was fitted up. These rooms are open daily and on evenings, to citizen 
members and strangers. The design of this association is to embrace, 
besides a library and reading room, a course of public lectures during 
the winter months. The interest which has thus far been very generally 
manifested in this measure, give assurance that the association will be 
one of a permanent character; well calculated to promote the intellect- 
ual welfare of the community in which it is located, and that its success 
will be proportioned to the excellent intentions which led to its institu- 
tion. It is hoped that the model thus offered will find an imitation in 
other large villages in the county. 



416 H»TOlfY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The earliest settlement in the vicinity of Black lake, in the town of 
Oswegatchie, was mode in 1797, by Capt. Joseph Thiirber, and his sons 
Kelsey J. and John K. Thiirber, from the town of Augusta, in Canada, 
but originally from New Hampshire. Mr. Thurber had been a very early 
settler at Plattsburgh. David Rose, David Judson, Thomas J. Davies, 
and others, were very early settlers in this part of the town. Jacob 
Pohlman, a millwright, who had been employed in 1797 by Ford, on his 
mill at Ogdensburgh, was an early settler in this town in the vicinity of 
the lake. He emigrated from Germany when a young man, and first ar- 
rived in Philadelphia. At Albany he met with Mr. Ford, who persuaded 
him to remove to the new settlement, and he spent the remainder of his 
life in town. 

The river road towards Morristown began to be settled at about the 
same time, Thomas Lee being the pioneer settler. Schools were first 
commenceiJ in Oswegatchie in this settlement, and John K. Thurber was 
the first teacher. Capt. David Griffin, Adam Millis, and Elijah Carley, 
also located along this road. The first death in the town of Oswegatchie, 
after the arrival of Judge Ford and his party, was Mrs. Lyon. The first 
marriage among the settlers was that of James Chambers and Elizabeth 
Thurber, in 1796. As there was no magistrate or clergyman authorized 
to perform the marriage ceremony, the parties crossed to Canada to get 
yoked. In 1801, Mr. John King, from New Jersey, arrived as a clerk 
for Mr. Ford. 

*■ The village of Heuvelton, near the southern border of the town, was 
surveyed into a village plat by Judge Edsall, of Madrid, before it had an 
inhabitant, and received the name of Fordsburgh, from Nathan Ford. It 
was sometimes mentioned as the East Branch, meaning the place where 
the highway crossed the East Branch, or Oswegatchie. This river was 
sometimes so called, and Indian river bore the name of West Branch 
Truman Bristol, and families by the name of Havens, Jones, and Os- 
burne, began small improvements about 1805. In the fall of 1806, Jairus 
Remington, formerly a Presbyterian minister, a native of Massachusetts, 
but then from Putney, Vt., moved in by way of the Black river country, 
with his family, and commenced keeping a public house on the left 
bank of the river. He had been on several times before, and had made 
an arrangement with Judge Ford to establish an inn at this point, 
where it was very much needed for the accommodation of the numerous 
travelers and emigrants who were coming into the country by the State 
road then newly opened. Judge Ford wrote Jan. 6^ 1806, as follows : 

"I have also sold four lots in our village at the East Branch bridge to 
a gentleman who is a man of education and influence in Massachusetts, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIlB. 417 

and also in Vermont. His intention is to set up business, and from the 
representation he makes to me I am induced to believe he will be very 
serviceable, not only as an inhabitant, but as being a person who will 
bring with him a number of emigrants. I have made it his interest to 
be servicable to us this way, as I have also those who have gone to Ver- 
mont. This gentleman has also gone for his family. He has made ar- 
rangements for building, and as an evidence of his being in earnest, he 
has made considerable advances to carpenters here, for beginning early 
in the spring. From present appearances I have grounds to believe 
there will be a strong emigration to our settlement the ensuing season." 

Judge Pinney and family settled here in 1808; Redfield and family 
soon after. David Burroughs, from Shaftsbury, Vt., arrived in 1811. 
There were few settlers besides these, till 1820, when Jacob A. Vanden 
Heuvel,* an enterprising gentleman from New York, having purchased 
the village and an extensive tract of land adjoining, commenced the 
erection of a grist mill, and numerous other improvements. His father 
was a Hollander, who emigrated to New York in 1792, having previously 
resided several years in the Dutch colony of Demarara, in Guiana, of 
which he was for some time the governor. In compliment to the new 
proprietor, the place received the name of Heuvel, which was in January, 
1832, changed to Heuvelton, its present name. A saw mill and dam had 
been erected by Mr. Remington for many years. The place soon after 
began to increase in population quite rapidly. The bridge first erected, 
was above its present location, and was carried off. One or two others 
on the same place failed. The first school in the settlement was a very 
small one, taught by Mr. Dyer Badger in the winter of 1808, in a small 
shanty near the site of the present school house. 

The first religious meetings were held by Methodists. Dr. S. N. Sher- 
man was the first physician of the place, having located here in 1825. 
Mr. Van Heuvel with much liberality erected a church for the Episcopal 
worship, but it was never much used by this denomination, and has 
passed into the hands of the Universalists. The first death in this part 
of the town is said to have been that of Mr. David Seymour, who was 
drowned in 1806. He was at the time engaged in the erection of a 
bridge. 

Religious Societies. — The annals of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
show that a circuit denominated Oswegatchie, existed as earlyas 1793, and 
it is from this probable, that meetings were occasionally held by the 
Methodists at the garrison, while still a British post. The importance of 
some organization was early felt, and led to the formation of the First 
Church and Congregation of Christ, in the town of Oswegatchie, Oct. 
10, 1805, with Nathan Ford, John Lyon, Aaron Welton, Louis Hasbrouck 

* Mr. V. H. was authorized by an act of the legislature passed Feb. 8, 1832, to assume the 
name of "Van Heuvel, by which he has since been known. His father, John Van Den 
Heuvel, died in New York, May 6, 1826. 



418 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and Thomas J. Davies, trustees. In a letter of November 29, 1804, Col* 
Ogden wrote to Judge Ford, as follows: 

"You have added hereto the state of my attempt to effect the establish- 
ment of a clergyman with you. From what has passed it seems pretty 
certain that one will visit you with my letter, on the receipt of which I 
pray you do every thing in your power to establish him with you, render 
his visit as pleasing as possible, show him as extensive an annuity as pos- 
sible. Will not Tibbets and and others from the other townships, as well 
as from the other side of the river, contribute towards his establishment? 
I am certain nothing will promote our object more than the settlement of 
a proper clergyman and erection of a church. The following is a copy 
of my letter to you which I have left with the bishop, dated New York, 
23d November: "My desire that a chinch should early be established 
at Ogdensburgh, has induced me to wait on bishop Moore, and some other 
of the clergy of this place, desiring a clergyman might be induced to ^ 
make you a visit, under the belief that having explored the lown, situa- 
tion, &c., he will be desirous of becowiing a resident with you." 

The following are the proposals I have made: Samuel Ogden pro- 
poses to have two town lots laid out in the town, near the church and 
court house lots, one to be held as a parsonage, and conveyed for its use, 
the other to be conveyed in fee simple to the first clergyman who shall 
reside in the town, and perform Episcopal duties therein, for the term of 
ten years. One farm shall be also laid out in the vicinity of the town as 
a parsonage, to be conveyed _/br the use of the church, also a convenient 
lot in town whereon to build a church, and for a burying ground. The 
bishop has presented you with two dozen prayer books. How shall I 
send them?" This v>'as rather an unwelcome duty to impose upon judge 
Ford, who was a zealous Presbyterian, and the story is related as authen- 
tic, that he was so determined to establish one of this denomination, that 
he declared Tie would go to h — llfor one rather than be disappointed. The 
ingenious manner in which he answered the above letter is worthy of 
perusal. It forms a pai't of a long letter dated Jan. 11, 1805. 

" I confess I feel much embarrassment in answering that jiart of your ^ 
letter which relates to the establishing of a clergyman. Not because I " 
do not think your arrangements judicious and liberal, but because there 
are local considerations which claim to be deliberately and cautiously 
examined, for however much this measure may partake of yours and my 
wish, I fear our interest will be materially affected by it at this time, be- 
cause the whole emigration to this country is, and has been, with very 
few exceptions, Presbyterian, and this summer pains have been taken to 
settle a clergyman in Lisbon, of that denomination. A visible spring 
has been given to emigration in that town in consequence of it. Our 
neighbors are pursuing that kind of policy which comports with the feel- 
ings and wishes of the people in this resj)ect, by which they expect to 
profit, and they will. The momenta measure sliould be pin-sued, which 
had the shadow of appearance to direct the religious opinions of the peo- 
ple, (no matter how pure our motives may be,) jealousies will be excited, 
and uneasiness created. It is not necessary for me to tell you how quick 
the sensibility of people are engaged when their religious notions and 
prejudices are touched; reason loses its force, and passion and rancor are 
the only visible features. Since Lisbon has settled their clergyman, our 
people are anxious to have one also. The idea has been much pressed 
and much urged by them, and they have determined to have one, but be 
must be a Presbyterian. I have suggested our idea, but it will not take. 
The question now is whether we shall find it our interest to resist tiieir 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 419 

v/ishes and the wishes of those who it is probable will come to our set- 
tlement, or whether it will not be better to let them follow tiieir own pre- 
judices, and please themselves in their religious pursuits. It unquestion- 
ably must be the means of casting a double emigration into Lisbon, and 
this I make no doubt, has operated as a reason for the haste with which 
Lishon has settled their clergyman. We shall find it our interest to move 
in this thing with caution, and not hastily take a step by which our neigh- 
bors will gain in proportion as we lose, by a wrong move upon the chess 
board. We stand delicately situated at this time. There are those whose 
interest it is to take every advantage of any unguarded measure we may 
pursue, for however much there is of harmony and good understanding 
in the country at this time, there are jealousies and secret feelings in the 
breasts of some people in this world, on account of the court house. I have 
now and tlien heard them echoed in whispers. There was no belief the 
exertion which has been made would have been to have the courthouse 
built. It is certain that edifice was considered as a thing wliich might be 
visible seven years hence, but it is now fixed by law; consequently all 
hope of changing its situation has vanished. This circumstance gives 
us an evident advantage of the other towns, and they will naturally for a 
time, feel jealousies, for they are natural upon such occasions; and if by 
any means we should excite a religious clamor, we must expect advantage 
to be taken of it, in which case we shall lose more than we shall gain. I 
conceive this would be the case for the purpose of counteracting the ad- 
vantage we now hold. As fi'oni any assistance from our neighbors on 
the opposite shore, it is out of the question, for they are universally Scotch 

Presbyterians or Methodists. As for , he never gave a farthing in 

his liie for the support of any clergyman: he holds all alike in equal 
contempt. No assistance can reasonably be calculated upon liom 
without, and want of accordance within our settlement must and will 
beget an expense which will not be favorable to our interests, for we can 
not calculate upon more than a mere trifle from the settlers, if any thing 
at all. It is only necessary for you to ask yourself what success it is pro- 
bable you would meet with were you to set a subscription on foot to be 
subscribed by Presbyterians and Methodists, for the support of a Church 
of England clergyman ? There are few who are better able to answer 
this question than yourself, for your knowledge of the exciting of preju- 
dices which attach to different sects, is such as will enable you to make a 
prompt decision. I have tried to comprise my ideas upon this subject in 
as concise a manner as possible, and shall conclude them by observing 
that circumstanced as we are, whether it would be good policy to take 
any step upon this subject at present, but leave the people to act for 
themselves. * * * 

Believe me to be with warmest affection, your friend, 

N. Ford. 
Samuel Ogden, JSsgr." 

A Baptist church was formed July 29, 1809, under Elder Samuel 
Rowley, a missionary from Massachusetts, of 9 members. The present 
stone church in State street was erected in 1833. A society had been 
formed May 23, 1821, with Harry Eastman, Charles Hull and Erastus 
Vilas, as trustees. 

The Presbyterian church was organized Dec. 8, 1819» of 9 males and 
9 females. The whole number received into full communion up to Aug., 
1852, was 646; present number, 255. The society was incorporated 



420 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



.Time 1, 1820, with N. 
Ford, T. Lyon, Duncan 
Turner, Joseph Ropseel, 
Wolcott Hubbell and Wni. 
L Guest, trustees. Their 
clergymen have been Rev. 
Barnabas Bruen, 1819; 
James McAuley, 1821 ; 
James B. Ambler, 1827; 
E. G. Smith, 1829; J. A. 
Savage, 1832; L. Merrill 
Miller, 1851. The above 
dates are those in which 
they commenced their 
labors respectively. Mr. 
Savage, after a pastor- 
ate of nearly 20 years, 
was dismissed from his 
charge, in order to assume 
the presidency of Carroll 

Presbyterian Church and Parsonage^ Ogdensbiirgh. Colle^'e Wisconsin. A 

temporary wooden building was erected for a church, in 1818, on the 
southwest corner of Ford and Caroline streets, and the present church 
•was built in 1824, at a cost of $9,000, and in 1847, enlarged to its present 
size, at a cost of $3,000. Tlie church has a clock, bell and a good organ, 
and adjoining, a parsonage lot, with dwelling and other fixtures, worth 
in the aggregate, including the church property, about $15,000. There 
is a flourishing sabbath school connected with the church, numbering 
over 200 scholars, and a library of about 500 volumes. The ladies' 
missionary society contribute $50 per year, and a Dorcas society $40, to 
charitable objects annually. Contribution to other benevolent associa- 
tions, $250 per annum. Most of the above data were collected by the 
Rev. L. M. Miller, for this work. 




St. John's 
Church. — The 
Rev. Daniel 
Nash, on a mis- 
sionary tour, in 
1816, visited 
this place, and 
in a report 
which he made 
says, that he 
was the first 
Episcopal cler- 
gyman who had 
visited that vil- 
lage and the 
county of St. 
Lawrence. The 
second one who 




St. John's Church and Rectory, Ogdenshurgh. 



officiated, was the Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, a missionary who ca 
in June, 1818, and at^limes performed divine offices in the cour 
and on the 23d of May, 1820, a society was incorporated, having 



me early 
t house; 
Thomas 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 421 

J. Davies and Isaac Plumb, wardens; George Parish, Louis Hasbrouck, 
David Ford, David C. Judson, Andrew McCollom, Junius Walton, Rich- 
ard W. Colfax and Sylvester Gilbert, vestrymen. The first report to the 
bishop, was that of 15 members. In 1821, it was resolved to build a 
stone church edifice, and in the same year, Rev. L. Carter was invited 
to a temporary charge, which he immediately assumed, and on the 10th 
of August, 1821, he laid the corner stone on a lot of ground, given for 
that purpose, by David and George Parish. In October, 1823, the build- 
ing was opened for worship. In 1824, the Rev. Addison Searle and 
Rev. Mr. Beardsley were called to take temporary charge of the congre- 
gation, and in 1825, the first measures were adopted by the vestry, for 
the erection of the present rectory. In the same year, the Rev. Mr. 
Todd accepted the charire of the parish. In 1830, the Rev. Nathaniel 
Iluse was called to the parochial charge, and in 1833, the Rev. Richard 
Bury was chosen to a temporary charge. In 1838, the Rev. Francis 
Ti-emayne became the minister, and in 1836, the Rev. William Barton 
became the first rector, and continued until 1839, when lie resigned, 

and the Rev. Brayton was temporarily employed. In 1840, the 

Rev. H. R. Peters was invited to the rectorship, and still remains. In 
1843, the church was thoroughly repaired, enlarged and made to assume 
its present appearance. This work was undertaken by Hon. H. V u 
Rensselaer, one of the wardens, who very liberally projiosed to make 
the addition, and carry up the tower to a proportionate height, in con- 
sideration of the additional pews. This increased the length 30 feet, 
making its present dimensions 90 by 42 feet, and the church is capable 
of seating from 500 to 600. In consequence of the growth of the con- 
gregation, further additions, or a new edifice will ere long be needed. 
The rectory adjoins the church in the same enclosure, is of stone, and 
was built on land given by George Parish. There is a large bell in the 
tower, and the church contains a fine organ. The author is indebted to 
the Rev. Mr. Peters for the foregoing data.- 

The first M. E. church in town was incorporated Feb. 22, 1825, with 
Ichabod Arnold Joseph Brooks, Joseph Cole, David Chapin and Joseph 
Arnold, trustees. It has been reorganized Nov. 13, 1827, and Feb. 17, 
1828. A second M. E. society was incorporated June 1, 1840, with 
Benj. Nichols, Uriah Van Waters, Amasa Pace, Ransom Lovejoy, James 
Russell, Joseph D. Hutchinson and Hiram Young, trustees. It was re- 
organized Dec. 12, 1848. This denomination in 1850, erected the pre- 
sent large brick church on Franklin street. A society was formed at 
Heuvelton, Sept. 14, 1843, with Nathan F. Griffin, Isaac Gray and Amos 
H. Hewlett, trustees. 

The second Presbyterian church and society in Oswegatchie, was 
formed April 4, 1832, with Alex. McCall, John J. Dorn, John Lamon, 
Ezra Day and David Griffin, trustees. They have a church in the west 
part of the town. 

The first congregational society of Heuvelton was formed Sept. 26, 
1842, with G. T. Howard, Andrew M. Gray, Ebenezer Kate, John Pick- 
ens and A. H. McMurphy, trustees. It reorganized Nov. 3, 1850. 

A Universalist society was formed April 16, 1842, with Allen Chaney, 
Wm. Gardner and O. S. Cummings. trustees, and reorganized Sept. 26, 
1842, and April 15, 1843. 

The Roman Catholic church of Ogdensburgh and its vicinity, mcor- 
porated November 29, 1848; James Kennaday, Daniel Burns, James Mc 
Nulty, John Feelyard and Mitchel Lequin, trustees. During the summer 
of 1852, a large stone church, 60 by 100 feet, has been built, by Rev. 
James Mackey. 



422 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Pauishville 

Was formed from Hopkinton, March 18, 1814, aud at first embraced 
Sherwood, Harewood, Granshiie, Matildavale, Wick, Cookham and the 
west third of Catharineville. The first town meeting was directed to 
be held at the house of Thomas C. Colbun. The poor masters of the 
two towns were directed to meet and divide any moneys in the hands 
of the poor masters of Hopkinton. 

It at present embraces Cookham (29,541 acres), and 7,971 acres of the 
■west part of Catharineville. Wick, or No. 11, tract 2, is annexed. The 
first town officers were as follows : 

Daniel W. ChlM-ch, supervisor; Abijah Abbott, clerk; Stephen Good- 
man, Ira Ransom and Daniel Rockwell, assessors; Ej)hraim Smith, col- 
lector; Jonathan M. Derbey and Stephen Paddock, poor masters ; Abel 
Brown, Peter Mahew and Elisha Brooks, corners of his;hivays; Ephraim 
Smith and Matthew Wallace, constables; Peter Mayiiew, Abel Brown 
and Elisha Brooks, fence viewers; Russell Foot, pound keeper; Abel 
Brown, Peter Mayhew and Foster Brownell, overseers of highways. 

Supervisors.— 18U, Daniel W. Church; 1815, Abijah Abbott; 1816-20, 
Daniel Hoard; 1822, William Allen; 1823, Daniel Hoard; 1824-31, Wm. 
Allen; 1832-4, John Brownell; 1835-7, William Allen; 1838-9, John 
Hoit; 1840-1, John Brownell; 1842-44, Ethan H. Pease; 1845-7, Sylva- 
nus B. Merrill; 1848-9, Erastus D. Brooks; 1850-1, Nathan Christy: 
1852, William F. Gurley. 

JVotesfrom the Town Records. — 1814-15-16 — $5 dollars for wolves and 
panthers, with half this for the young of these animals. 1818, $10 of- 
fered for panthers^ 1820, $15 offered for panthers, killed in town, to be 
proved by producing the head, with the skin and ears thereon, and by 
making oath to the same. $0.50 bounty for foxes and $0.25 for young 
foxes. 1821, $15 bounty offered for old panthers, and $7.50 for their 
young. $1 fox bounty, and half that sum for their young. 1826. Voted 
in favor of a division of county, and the formation of a new one. 1827, 
this action again taken, and William Allen, and Daniel Hamlin, were ap- 
pointed a committee to represent the wishes of the town in a petition to 
the legislature. 1846. $600 voted to build or furnish a town house in 
the village of Parishville, to be raised in the years 1847-48, and ap- 
pointed William Allen, D. S. Stevens, and E. D. Brooks, a committee to 
petition the legislature for the powers necessary for raising the tax. 
This measure was not carried into eflTect. 1850. The town voted against 
reviving the distinction between the town and county poor. 

This town derives its name from David Parish, who, Dec. 2, 1808, 
bought the town of J. D. Le Ray de Chaumont.* The latter had pur- 
chased of the heirs of Wm. Constable, July 24, 1804.f 

The first settlement was made under the direction of Daniel Hoard, 
as agent of Mr. David Parish. Mr. Hoard was a young man, a native ot 
Springfield, Vermont, who with his brother Silvius Hoard, had been 

•Clerk's office, b. 3. deeds, p 180. fib. b. 2, p. 105. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 423 

brought to the notice of Mr. Parish, by Gen. Lewis R. Morris, of Springfield, 
who had been interested in the lagds afterwards purchased in St. Lawrence 
and Jefferson counties. Both brothers were employed as agents ; the first 
at Parishville, and the latter at Antwerp. Mr. Hoard in the fall of 1809, 
surveyed and cut a road from Potsdam line to the site of Parishville village, 
In April 1810, he returned with Luke Brown, Isaac Tower, and Hart- 
well Shattuck, from Springfield, Vermont, and Levi Sawyer, from 
Massachusetts. These were employed during the summer, in clearing 
lands, and during the season, they chopped about seventy acres, and 
cleared forty on the site of Parishville village, A Mr. Whitmore and 
wife came into town this summer, to board the men engaged in clearing 
lands, and this woman was the first who ever came into town to reside. 
A line of road through to the Black river had been marked previous to 
this year. The route led several miles further south than the St. Lawrence 
turnpike was afterwards made, and passed through the township of 
Matildavale, now Colton. During the summer and fall of 1810, a saw 
mill was built by two brothers from Oneida county, by the name of 
Barnes. It was got in operation the same season, and used during the 
winter. Towards spring, the family which had first moved in went 
away. Soon after (March 31, 1811) Luke Brown and family moved into 
town, and this was the first permanent family in Parishville. He settled 
about two and a half miles from the line of Potsdam, on a farm he had 
previously purchased, and commenced improvements upon. Ira Col- 
lins, Reuben Thomas, George A. Flower, Joel Hawkins, William 
Thomas, Richard Newton, Abijah Abbot, Champlin, and Dag- 
get, several of these men with families, came in and settled soon after, 
During the year 1811, the turnpike from the Black river settlements was 
cut through the town ; a grist mill was built by Daniel W. Church, for 
Mr. Parish, and a distillery was erected and inclosed by Mr. Hoard the 
same season. The latter was the property of the agent, and remained 
such as long as he resided m town. It has been worked, with a few in- 
terruptions, nearly every year since. It was not got in operation till the 
spring of 1812. During the summer of 1812, a large tavern stand was 
erected by Mr. Church, for the proprietor of the town, costing $12,000, 
and during this season the place received large accessions of inhabit- 
ants, many of whom fled from Ogdensburgh, and other places on the 
St. Lawrence, from the danger they apprehended from the war. This 
morbid growth gave business and life to the settlement, which has never 
since been equalled; and for a time the village and surrounding country 
increased in population and improvements, as if by magic. A forge was 
built and run at an early day at its place. In 1813, this prosperity con- 



424 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tinued, and extensive buildings and improvements were undertaken. 
During this season a building was erected at the expense of Mr. Parish 
for public purposes, and which has since been usually known as the 
academy, for which use it was originally designed. It has since been 
used as a town hall, school house, and place for public and religiou8 
meetings. It is a one story wooden building with single room. The 
first birth in the town of Parishville, was in the family of Luke Brown, 
in the spring of 1812. The first school was taught by Miss Harriet 
Bronson, in the summer of 1813, in the barn of Daniel Hoard. A 
school house was erected very soon after. Religious meetings were oc- 
casionally held in 1812-13, and subsequently by traveling preachers, but 
the first stated ministry was established by the Methodists in July 1818, 
at the house of Mr. L. Brown. Baptist meetings were first held by an 
Elder Johnson, from Jefferson county. 

An affair occurred in this town, in the fall of 1812, which created 
much excitement at the time. A desperate character by the name of 

B , living in the edge of Stockholm, had been charged with a 

crime which carried him to jail in Ogdensburgh, in the month of June 
of thatyiar. While undergoing his trial, and afterwards, he threat- 
ened vengeance against the neighborhood where the crime was commit- 
ted, and against a Mrs. Miller in particular, who had been the principal 
witness against him. Shortly after his imprisonment, he succeeded in 
breaking jail, and was not seen for some time, till early in the morning, 
on Monday, October 23d, he was seen to cross the bridge over Raquette 
river, near the line of Pierrepont. On Wednesday morning, following, 
Mrs. Miller was left by her husband in the act of rising from bed, while 
he went some distance from home to get fire at a neighbor's. On his i e- 
turn she was not in the house, and her shoes and parts of her clothing 
being left he supposed that she was not far distant. Notliing more was 
seen of her, and her absence during the day, became a subject of anxiety, 
which increased till the whole country, far and near was rallied, and a 
general search begun, which continued several days, and at length 
given up in despair of finding any trace of the absent one. 

On Friday night several houses and barns in the vicinity, were burned, 
evidently by an incendiary, and on Saturday morning following, the jail 
bird was seen to recross the bridge, of Raquette river. Suspicion rested 

on B , who was followed up and arrested at Carthage, having in his 

possession a stolen rifle. Nothing hut suspicion resting upon him, in re- 
lation to the abduction and arson, he was tried for the theft, and sent to 
states prison, where he died. On the following spring, a woman's head, 
was found some distance from a headless body, in the woods about 
three miles above the village of Parishville, which were identified as 
those of Mrs. Miller, who in all probability had been brutally murjlered 
irom a fiendish revenge, by the ruffian who had afterwards set fire to 
his own house, and another which sheltered his wife and children. 

Parishville was surveyed by Joseph Crary, in the fall of 1809. The 
village was surveyed into a plat, by Sewall Raymond, in 1812. It is located 
on St. Regis river, at a point where that river is crossed by the old St. 




mE^ . M o]?'iiE2im]EiP©i^To 



a?" ^_7/^/.v"'7.T A: ZT. 



■3_T, k rln CoiiTiiies . 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 425 

Lawrence turnpike. The river here affords a considerable amount of 
water power. The channel is pressed into a narrow gorge scarcely ten 
feet wide and the river descends about 125 feet in the distance of a mile. 
Wick, is owned by Dr. Samuel W. Moore, of New York whose wife 
is Emily, a daughter of Wm. Constable. There are in this township, 
three school houses, several mills and about 100 families. 

Religious Societies. — A Congregational church was formed Aug. 7, 
1823, by a council consisting of the Rev. Messrs. M. Parmelee of Stock- 
liolm, Rev. Oliver P^astman of Parishville, Mr. Custant Southworth, 
licentiate of Canton, R. Pettibone, do. of Hopkinton, Mr. Henry Winches- 
ter, delegate from Madrid, and Dea. Sam'l P. Reynolds of Potsdam. It 
began with 11 members. C. Eastman, Moses Ordway, Tertius Reynolds, 
APm, K. Talbot, Bliss Burnap, Geo. P. Everest, Milton Bradley, Enos Wood, 
and Bliss Burnap have been employed; those in italics having been 
settled as pastors. Whole number admitted up to Sept. 20, 1852, 224; 
of whom 90 now belong to the church. The stone church in Parishville 
was built in 1834, at a cost of $3000. A society was incorporated 
April 23, 1827, with Noran Rockwell, James Hardy, and George A. 
Flower, trustees. 

A Baptist church was formed in October, 1823, of about 13 members, 
present number, 172. A society was formed April 5, 1831, with Graton 
Brand, Seymour Flower, and David Burdit, trustees; they have a com- 
modious church, costing about $1950. The pastors have been the Rev. 

Messrs. Solomon Johnson, Rhodes, B. N. Leach, J. H. Greene, 

G. Brand, L. T. Ford, and O. W. Moxley. The last named commenced 
his services with this church in May, 1840, and continued them until 
May, 1844, when he moved to Madrid, and la!)ored with the Baptist 
church there until Marcli, 1848, when he returned to Parishville, where 
he still continues; and has labored longer with this church than any 
other minister, since its organization. They have during the intervals 
been supplied by the Revs. Henry Greene and W. H. Rice. 

A Methodist society was formed March 10, 1828, with Luke Brown, 
Francis Gobdale, Nathan Christy, Levi Fuller and Isaac Russell, trustees. 
It was reorganized Aug. 23, 1833, and Oct. 26, 1846. A chapel was 
built in 1846-7, worth $1000. A Wesleyan Methodist society was in- 
corporated Dec. 6, 1843, with Luke Brown, Walter W. BlossandLeavitt 
Hatch, trustees. 

PlERREPOJVT, 

Was erected from Russell and Potsdam, April 15, 1818,'including the 
townships of Emllyville, Chaumont, Clifton Clare, and so much of 
Dewitt as would lie east of a continuation of the west line of said tovyn- 
ships to the rear line of Canton. The first town meeting was dii-ected 
to be held at the house of Cyrus Grannis. The towns of Emilyville 
and Chaumont have been annexed to Fine, in the formation of that 
town. The poor moneys were to be equitably divided between the 
towns. The portion of Dewitt included in this town, was by an act of 
1807, annexed to Potsdam. This portion comprises almost the entire 
settled part of the town. A small part on the west belongs to the Harri- 
son estate, and the remainder to that of the late Hezekiah Beers 
27- 



426 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Pierrepont, by the ageiits of whom it has been principally settled, and 
from whom it derives its name.* 

First Toiim OJJlrers.—rCyrus Grnnn'M^, svpei-visor ; Andrew A. Cnimp- 
ton, cVrZ:; VVni. V.-ile, Elislia Woodruff, Gfirdner Cox, assessor* ; Peter 
15. Leonard, Josepli Dorothy, poor mas/frs; Flavins J. Ciirtii-', Ezra Crarey, 
Samuel lieldinir, commissioners of roads ; Riclmid Weller, consfahle and 
collector; Setli [li\]e, overseer of highways ; F. J. Curtis, Elienezer Tiipper, 
Gardner Cox, commissioners of schools ; Cyrus Grannis, Win. Yale, A. A. 
Crampton, inspedors of schools ; Joseph iJoiothy, Seth Hale, F. J. Curtis, 
Henry Axtell, fence viewers; E. Tiipper, P. R. Leonard, pound keepers. 

Supervisors.— ] 819, Cyruii Grannis; 1820-1, John Axtell; 18-22 3, E/ra 
Crarev; J824-9, Jienjamin Squire; 1829, Au<r. 22, Gardner Cox (o fill 
vacancy; 1830-2, G. Cox ; 1833-8, Samuel Northrup; 1839, Paine Con- 
verse; *]840, G. Cox; 1841-2, Andrew A. Crampton; 1843 4, Joshua 
Manley; 1845, Orin A. Howard; 1846-7, J. Manlev, 1848-9, Truman 
Smith; 1850-1, Asa W. Briggs; 1852, Peter F. Kyerson. 

JVotes from the Town Records — 1819. At the first town meeting, $30 
raised for the supf)ort of schools, and $100 for tliepoor. Similar appro- 
priations were voted nearly every year for many years. The poor iiinds 
having accrued to a considerable amount, the town, at their town meet- 
ing in 1829, ap[)ointed a committee of three to dralt a petition to the 
legislatme, |)raying for the j)rivilege of api»lyiiig this to the support of 
schools. Benjamin Squire, Zuriel Waterman, and Samuel Northrup, 
were appointed on this committee. An act was accordingly passed April 
29, 1829, making it tiie duty of the overseers of the poor, to pay over the 
funds in their hands to the commissioners of common schools, to be in- 
vested for the benefit of schools. The present amount of the school 
fund is $57562, secm-ed by l)ond and mortgage. In 1822, $1 bounty 
was offered for foxes and $5 for wolves and panthers. In 1825, 50 centa 
for foxes and $5 for wolves. 

From the field notes of Benjamin Wright, made on the first survey of 
township number three, now Pierrepont, the following traditionary re- 
cord is taken : " The Indians tell of a silver mine near the falls on Grass 
river, which was worked a little about 1776, but was stopped by an order 
of government soon after it was begun." In township No. 3 it is said : 
"The Indian Jine of navigation from Lake Champlain, or from St. Regis 
to Black river, or Lake Ontario, lies through this town by way of Fall 
river." 

The first settler in the town of Pierrepont was Flavins J. Curtis, who 
located near the line of Canton about 1806-7. The town however did 
not begin to settle rapidly until the opening of the St. Lawrence turn- 
pike through it in 1811-12. Davis Dunton, Peter R. Leonard, Joseph 
Mathers, Ebenezer Tupper, Clark Hutchius, Zuriel Waterman, Foster 
Shaw, Henry Axtell, Alanson Woodruflf, and others, settled about 1812. 
Religious meetings were held by the Rev. A. Baldwin, an Episcopal 

• See noie E. of this ^vo^k. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 427 

clergyman, in 1816. ' Nathan Crarey taught the first school in 1815-16. 
Cyrus Grannis is said to have opened the first inn near the centre of the 
town, on the turnpike, and Mr. Tupper at the point where this road 
crosses Raquette river. 

Near the northeast corner of the town of Pierrepont, on Raquette 
river, is the little village of East Pierrepont or Coxe^s Mills. The first 
settlement at this place was commenced by Gardner Cox, from Barnard, 
Vermont, who in 1817, purchased a small tract of land, including the 
water privilege, and in the fall of that year, in company with John P. 
Dimick, from the same place, who had purchased a piece of land ad- 
joining, he commenced a clearing. These two persons shantied together 
several weeks, and cut over some twenty acres of land. They returned 
to Vermont in the winter. On the 9th of March, 1818, Benjamin Cox, 
who had become concerned with his brother in the purchase, moved in 
with his family, and this was the first family that settled in this part of 
the town. The three persons here mentioned remained during the sum- 
mer, and in the fall of that year got out the frame of a saw mill. A dam 
and saw mill was built in the summer of 1819, .Tohn and Joseph 
Goulding, of Potsdam, being the millwrights. From 1818 to 1822, the 
surrounding country on both sides of the river, as far up as the turn- 
pike, was settled mostly by peo[)le from Vermont, many of whom were 
induced to remove and locate through the recommendations of Mr. Cox. 
In 1822 Mr. Cox erected a grist mill with a single run of rock stones, to 
which a second was added two years after. This mill was of wood, and 
in 1836 was replaced by the present stone mill. A bridge was built 
across the river at this place in 1828. In 1845, a starch factory was 
, erected by Mr. Gardner Cox, and has been in operation every year since, 
manufacturing about thirty tons annually. It is contemplated to erect 
fixtures for the manufacture of corn starch. During the present year 
(1852), a gang mill is in process of erectien, by Ralph, Clark & Doi*n- 
bery, who have for several years been concerned in the Mclntyre iron 
works, in Essex county, and who own extensive tracts of timber in that 
county ti;hich they propose to take to this place hij (he natural water commU' 
nications of the interior. Cold river, which flows through this tract, 
is a tributary of Raquette river, and forms a part of that wonderful eys- 
ten^pf waters in the interior of the southern wilderness, which ren- 
ders access to market for the timber Avith which it is covered, ea^y. 
The mill at East Pierrepont is to have fifty saws, but is built of such 
dimensions as to receive double that number. Schools have existed at 
this settlement since 1822. No religious societies at present exist here, 
as from the vicinity to Potsdam (about four miles), the inhabitants have 



428 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

been associated with the several rehgious denomirtations of that place. 
In 1846, a large school house, built with reference to its being used as a 
place of worship, was erected, and is occasionally used by the several 
orders for tiiat purpose. East Pierrepont affords the only valuable water 
privilege in town. The village is mostly on the east side of the river, 
and contains about forty families, a store, and the usual variety of 
mechanic^. 

In the summer of 1799, Judge Raymond, and others, engaged in sur- 
veying into townships the great northern purchase, had a provision camp 
near the village of East Pierrepont. An incident is related concerning 
this encampment, worthy of record. Some of his men, wearied with 
the labors of the survey, which was protracted till late in the season, be- 
came anxious to return home, and finally refusing to listen to reason or 
argument, became mutinous, and resolved to leave, with or without per- 
mission, and so declared their intention. The route they proposed to 
take, was through the southern forest, and their guide, the compass of 
Mr. Raymond. Hearing of this intention, the latter, having exhausted 
his patience in attempting to dissuade, resorted to another expedient, and 
privately stole out of the camp on the evening previous to the day ap- 
pointed for their departure, and hid his compass. When the mutineers 
had made all their arrangements and were prepared to start, inquiry was 
made for the compass, but it could not be found. Mr. Raymond, having 
in this manner gained control over his men, succeeded at length in con- 
vincing them that it was their interest to continue the survey until it was 
completed, and then return home honorably; and having obtained from 
each a promise of obedience, the instrument was produced and the 
labors continued till completed. 

From observations continued annually for more than thirty years, upon 
the height of the spring flood of the Raquette at Coxe's mills, in Pierre- 
pont, by the owner, it has been noticed, that with but few exceptions, the 
highest water occurred on the last week in April. One of these excep- 
tions was in July, 1830, when a memorable freshet prevailed throughout 
all the rivers of Northern New York and portions of the New England 
states. It was produced by heavy and protracted rains. The water at 
this place was then about three and a half feet above ordinary summer 
level on the dam, while the ordinary depth in spring floods does not ex- 
ceed two and a half feet. ^ 

The citizens of Pierrepont at their annual town meeting in 1846, voted 
to choose a committee from different parts of the town, to draw a plan 
for a town house, aad purchase a site for the same, and to erect the said 
house and have it finished at a cost of not to exceed $500, before the 
fii'st of October, 1847, and also to petition the legislature for powers for 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 429 

this purpose. Joshua Manley, Nathan Crarey, Jun., Henry Gleason, Mer- 
ritt Howard, Chileab Billings, Lucius Palmer, and Christopher W. Leon- 
ard, were appointed on this committee. An act was accordingly passed 
on the 27th of April, 1847, directing the board of supervisors of St. 
Lawrence county to levy the sum of $800 for the above purpose, and 
appointing the three first named on the committee to superintend its 
erection. The supervisor, town clerk, and superintendent of schools, 
are by virtue of office trustees of the town house. A town hall, of neat 
and ample proportions, was built the same year, near where the Canton 
and Colton road crosses the old turnpike. This edifice serves the pur- 
pose of a church, there being no meeting house erected expressly for the 
purpose in town. 

A part of the township of Clare was formerly owned by Madam De 
Stael, the accomplished Fi*ench authoress, and virulent enemy of Napo- 
leon. She invested her money in these lands at the recommendation of 
Gouverneur Morris, with whom she was personally acquainted. On the 
7th October, 1806, he wrote to her as follows : 

"It has occurred to me that you would do well to purchase the re- 
mainder of the township of Clare. It lies next to that of Ballybeen 
[Russell], which is rapidly increasing in population. Thus in time a 
revenue will be drawn from it, inconsiderable indeed at first, but subse- 
quently of great importance. Now such a provision ibr a son, is of more 
value than thrice the amount of money. The one directs to industiy 
and economy, the other excites to dissipation unless indolence is allowed 
to exercise its ennervating power. It would perhaps be possible to pur- 
chase the I'emainder of Clare at the rate of one dollar an acre. It cer- 
tainly would not be necessary to go higher than two dollars." 

On the partition of lands between McCormick and others, 15,200 acres 
were conveyed to Herman Le Roy and Wm. Bayard, in trust for this 
lady. They were subsequently conveyed to Theodosius O. Fowler, and 
in 1846, purchased by S. Pratt and John L. Russell, upon directions to 
sell by Due de Broglie and Ada Holstein de Stael, his wife, the only 
surviving child of Madame de Stael. In 1847, a question of alienage of 
Dutchess De Broglie, and of the operation of the New York statute of 
trusts, having arisen, the legislature, by separate acts, confirmed the title 
of Russell and Pratt to the Clare lands, and of Livingston to the Clifton 
lands, similarly circumstanced. 

Religious Societies. — The Methodists have a society at East Pierrepont, 
which was incorporated Jan. 3, 1844, with Gardner Cox, Nathan Christy, 
Levi Fuller, John Hicks, and Harry Train, trustees. A Free Will Bap- 
tist church was organized by Elder S. W. Lewis, in September, 1850, of 
seventeen members. Present number twenty-five, who have employed 
Elder Wm. Whitfield, pastor. 



430 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

^ Pitcair:? 

Was erected from Fowler, March 29, 1836, and made to include town- 
ship No. 11, or Portafony, cxceiJting a triangular tract on the west cor. 
ner, which was, retained by Fowler. The first town meeting was direct- 
ed to be held at the house of David Brown. 

At the first town meeting, the following ofiicers wore elected: John 
Slo|)er, supervisoi- ; Stephen Seabin-y, clerk; Levi W. Gleasoii, Silvester 
Bacon, Aavon Geer, justices ; Almond Howard, Samuel Giistin, Robert 
Leach, assessors; .lolin Williams, George P. Bnrdick, Levi W. Gieason, 
commissioners of highivays ; Constant Wells, Jonathan Paine, Elijah Ander- 
son, commissioners of common schools; Silvester Bacon, J. Paine, David 
Brown, inspectors of schools ; Almond Howard, George P. Burdick, over- 
seers of ike poor; Matthew M. Geer, collector; M. M. Geer, Constant Wells, 
constables. 

Supervisors.— 18S6-40, John Sloper; 1841-2, Silvester Bacon; 1843-1, 
Horatio N. Dickinson; 1844, at a special meeting in October, Asaph 
Green; 1845-7, Asaph Green; 1848-50, Eh R. Paul; 1851-2, Asaph 
Green. 

Joseph Pitcairn, from whom this town was named, was born in Fifo- 
shire, Scotland, and was a son of a Scotch clergyman. In early life he 
came to the United States, and subsequently for several years he resided 
in the East Indies. At one time he held the office of consul for our 
government at Paris, from which office he was I'emoved by Jefferson. 
Most of his life was spent in the capacity of a merchant, at Hamburgh, 
in Germany. In 1817, having acquired from Daniel McCormick, who 
took a great interest in his affairs, and to whom he is believed to have 
been somewhat related, the ownership of his unsold lands in St. Law- 
rence and Franklin counties, he came into the northern part of the state, 
appointed agents, and took measures for commencing settlements in 
Pitcairn, Edwards, Brasher, and other places. At one time he contem- 
plated making the village of Helena, in Brasher, his summer residence, 
and the fine stone mansion of Mr. Nevins, of that village, was erected for 
him. He died in New York, in June, 1844. 

The first settlement in Pitcairn was formed by emigrants from Pots- 
dam. In the fall of 1824, Nathan Dickenson and sons, Nathan, Justin, 
Anson, Leonard, and Hubbard, with Levi W. Gieason and Nathan C. 
Scovil, came in to select land, and most of them erected the body of log 
houses. In December, Justin Dickenson and family moved into town, 
and for some time lived alone. In February he was joined by others. 
James Streeter, from Fowler, arrived in February, having made the first 
clearing in town the fall previous, on the site of the present cemetery 
near the log chapel. Nathaniel, Joseph and Elisha Lamphear, came in 
in 1824, but did not move till the next year. Joshua Sloper, George 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 431 

PeaboJy, Aaron Geer and sons, Dayton Merrrill, Samuel Gustin, ami 
otliers, came in 1824 and 1825. Elder Jonathan Paine in 182G, became 
the first Baptist preacher. In June, 1825, the first birth occurred in 
town, in the family of N. C. Scovil. The first school was taught by Miss 
Caroline Dickenson, in 1826. The first marriage was Aaron Bingham 
to Miss C. Dickenson. P. Jenny erected the first saw mill in 1828. 
There are two post offices in town, both of which are on the route from 
Edwards to Lowville. Pitcairn post office was established 5lh June, 
1840, John Sloper, postmaster; and East Pitcairn post office, February 
8, 1850, Charles Bowles, postmaster. 

Near the southeast corner of the town, is a valuable depository of 
magnetic iron ore, which will doubtlesd hereal'ter give employment to 
the industry of great numbers. The supply is re[)orted to be ample: 
About ICO tons have been taken, and the mine has acquired the name of 
the Jayville mine. 

Mining explorations for lead were formerly carried on in town, and 
much money expended. 

The following incident happened in Pitcairn near where Green's mill 
now stands, and some time before any settlers had located in town. 
James Streeter, then living in Fowler, was out hunting for deer, in the 
winter time, when there was about three feet of light snow on the ground. 
When on Portaferry creek, he noticed a great number of tracks, which 
as he traced across the ice, he discovered had been made by five pan- 
thers. Following these, he found a place where they had pawed away 
the snow to the ground, and had nested the night previous, and a few 
rods beyond this, he overtook a large male panther, whicii his dog treed, 
and which was killed by a single shot frotn his rifle. A few rods beyond, 
a young panther was treed and wounded. A second shot despatched 
this, and shortly after another young one was chased to a spruce tree 
and desi)atclie(l by a single shot. The three were beheaded, and Streeter 
returned to the camp, and the next morni;ig came back with a companion 
and despatched the remaining female j)anther. A large male remained, 
who was treed without difficulty but not killed till after many shots. 
This one evinced much venom, keeping his eyes fixed upon the hunters, 
disregarding the dog, gnashed his teeth, growling, spitting after the 
fashion of a cat, and would run up and down, as if about to attack them. 
Getting more composed, he would climb to the topmost branches, and 
seating himself, would purr like a cat. When wounded, he would again 
become enraged. He was killed by a shot through the head. The 
bounties on panthers were $25 each at this time, which made the day's 
work very profitable. 



432 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Potsdam. 

This town was erected from Madrid, by tiie same act which formed 
Stockhohn from Massena, and De Kalb from Oswegatchie, Feb. 21, 
1806. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of 
Benjamin Raymond. In 1807, a part of the present town of Pierrepont 
was annexed, which was taken off in the erection of that town. The 
officers elected at the first town meeting, were 

Benjamin Raymond, supervisor; Gurdon Smith, town cleric; Bester 
Pierce, David French and Gurdon Smith, coiiCrs of highways; Giles Par- 
mele, Horace Garfield and Benjamin Bailey, assessors; Benjamin Ray- 
mond, Benjamin Stewart, Levi Swift, Abner Ray, Jun., Archibald Rayer 
and Isaac Buck, overseers of highways ; Ansel Baily, constable and collector ; 
William Smith and Ohver Boyder, pound masters; Jabez Healy and 
David Frenci), overseers of poor ; Levi West, B. Pierce and Benj. Stew- 
art, fence vieivers. 

At a special town meeting, convened at tlie academy, Sept. 1, 1813, in 
pursuance of an act entitled "an act for the establishment of common 
schools," passed June 19, J 812, the following named persons were elect- 
ed school commissioners, viz: Benjamin Raymond, Gurdon Smith and 
Howard J. Pierce. Four school inspectors were chosen, viziTfames 
Johnson, Liberty Knowles, 'J homas Swift and Sylvester Bacon. These 
were the first pei'sons who held that office in town. 

Supervisors. — 1806-7, Benjamin Raymond; 1808, Charles Cox; 1809, 
Benjamin Raymond; 1810-11, Charles Cox; 1812-17, Benjamin Ray- 
mond ; 181 8-21, Gurdon Smith ; 1822, Samuel Partridge ; 1823-4, Gm-don 
Smith; 1825, Samuel Partridge; 1826-7, Horace Allen ; 1828-9, Samuel 
Partridge; 1830-4, Zenas Clark; 1835-7, Ansel Bailey; 1838, Amos W. 
Brown; 1839, Ansel Bailey; 1840-3, Aaron T. Hopkins; 1844-5, Thomas 
Swift; 1846-7, Isaac Parker; 1848 9, Charles Dart; 1850-1, Amos Blood; 
1852, Isaac Parker. 

JVoies from the Records. — 1810-11. A bounty of $5 offered for wolves. 
1826-7. Voted that it was expedient to divide the county, and to erect a 
new one. 1837. Voted against any division of the town. 

In June, 1799, Mr. Benjamin Wright, of Rome, having arrived at St. 
Regis with a surveying company of seven parties, despatched Mr. Gur- 
don Smith, one of his surveyors, up the Raquette river, to make obser- 
vations, and ascertain how far the river was navigable, and what places 
were most suitable for provision camps. He proceeded with his boat 
as far as Norfolk, from whence he proceeded by land to the present vil- 
lage of Potsdam. Finding a commodious place for spending the night, 
on the rocks near where the mills now stand, and a snug shelter under 
a fallen pine, he spent the night. 

Here, far removed from every settlement, in the untraversed wilder- 
ness, and in all probability on ground which the foot of the white man 
had never before trod, he discoved a tuft of timothy grass, evidently the 
product of a single seed, which had been wafted by Avinds, or carried by 
birds, to a spot congenial to its growth. Much pleased with this familiar 
object, he hailed it as the harbinger of civilization, and a herald sent 
forward to anticipate the future destiny of the county, as a great grazing 
region. The figure of the great and indispensible staple, so essential to 
our prosperity as a dairy district, might, with much propriety, be adopted 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 433 

by the citizens of Potsdam, as au emblem for thetr seal, with equal or 
more application than the thistle, the shamrock and the roses, of Scot- 
land, Ireland and England, which have come to be considered as the 
national devices of these countries. 

The first settlement of the town of Potsdam was begun by Benjamin 
Raymond, the agent for the proprietors, in 1803. In May of that year, 
he left Rome with a bateau laden with mill irons, provisions, and about 
half a dozen men, and proceeded by the difiicult and tedious route of 
Oswego river, lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence, to Point Iroquois, 
above Waddington, where he left a part of his load, and proceeded to 
open his way through the forest, to his location in the present village of 
Potsdam. He first struck the river some distance below, and here he 
built a I'&ft, and ascended about half a mile to the falls, where he arrived 
in June. He here erected a temporary hut on the rocks west of the 
river, and commenced building a saw mill, which was raised and got in 
operation the same year. During the summer, lines for roads were sur- 
veyed out in different directions, and some of them, among which was 
the route from Stockholm through Potsdam to Canton, was so far cleared 
of underbrush, as to allow the passage of teams. The frame of the saw 
mill was the first building erected in town. Mr. Raymond had, for two 
or three years, traversed the town as a surveyor, and was well acquaint- 
ed with its location, and sensible, before commencing a settlement, of 
the natural superiority of the soil over that of some other parts of the 
country. Ebenezer Patterson is said to have been the first man who 
moved his family into toAvn, and his wife was, during the year 1803, 
reported to have been the " handsomest woman in Potsdam." In 1804, 
Ml'. Raymond returned with his family, coming by the way of the Long 
falls (Cai'thage). 

AVilliam Smith, Gurdon Smith, Benjamin Stewart, John Delance, 
David French, Chester Dewey, Joseph Bailey, Bester Pierce, Roswell 
Parkhurst,* William Bullard, Abner Royce, Reuben Field, and others, 
came in, some only to select farms, on which they began small improve- 
ments, preparatory to removal, and others moving on directly. 

* Roswell Parkhurst, who lived many years in Potsdam, and died there, was in his youth the 
isubject of an incident which has formed a prominent place in the annals of Royallon, in "Ver. 
mont. In 1776, a company of tories and Indians attacked that town, and took a number of 
prisoners, among whom were several men and children. The mollier of one of the latter 
followed the Indians, and m-ged them to return her Utile son, whom they had taken, and plead 
her request with such earnestness, that she succeeded. Encouraged by this success, she 
urged the matter further; and had the address to prevail with the savages to give up twelve or 
fii'teen of her neighbors' children, among whom was the subject of this note. In a fit of good 
humor, one of the savages then offered to carry her en his back over the river, which offer she 
accepted, and she was safely conveyed across on the shoulders of the gallant Indian. 

( WiUiams''s History of Vermont, 'id ed. vol. ii,p. 241. 



434 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Durin;^ th^ summer, a frame grist mill was raised and partly finished, 
hut not got in operation till the following year. Ehenezer Wright, a 
brother-in-law of Raymond, was the millwright. In 1805, Horace Gar- 
field, Timothy Shepard, Jabez Healey, John Fobes, Oliver Boyden, Ansel 
Bailey and brothers, Giles Parmelee, David Corey, most of those who 
formed The Union, which will be described presently, and John and 
otiiers by the name of Smith, from Tunbridge, Vermont, relatives of 
Joe Smith, the celebrated founder of the Mormon sect, came into 
town and settled. John Smith is at present the chief or high priest of 
the Morman settlement at Salt lake, in Utah territory. The first death 
in town among the settlers was that of James Chadvvick, a young man 
from Tyrringham, Mass., which was caused by the falling of the limb of 
a tree, in July, 1805. The first birth in town, was a daughter, in the 
family of William Smith, in the year 1804. Levi Swift, Charles Cox, 
Asa and Ira Perrin, Abram Collins, and many others, came in and took 
up farms, and in that year the land around Potsdam village for quite a 
distilnce was contracted to actual settler^. The first frame dwelling in 
town was erected by Mr. Raymond, in 1804, on the west side of the 
river. 

On the Raymond's again rfeturning in the spring of 1805, he proceed- 
ed with a team and sleigh to the Ox Bow on the Oswegatchie river, in 
Jefl^erson county. Here the snow left them, and a company of some 
eighteen, who had come by different routes, and with different destina- 
tions, found themselves in the same dilemma; among these were 
Nathaniel Holt, James Burnett, Elijah Pooler, Isaac Burnham, Elisha 
Griffin, Dr. John Seeley, and perhaps one or two others, on their way to 
DeKalb. Mr. Raymond was accompanied by a brother in law, Mr. 
Ehenezer Wright, and his family. Finding no alternative, they con- 
structed a raft of about thirty pine logs, which they bound together se- 
curely, and upon which they placed their three sleighs, their goods and 
families, and proceeded down the stream, at that time excessively swol- 
len by rains and melting snows. At night they came to, about opposite 
the present village of Richville, and towards the close of the second day 
(Aj)ril 1,) the emigrants arrived at Cooper's settlement in DeKalb. The 
horses were sent around by the state road, in charge of Sewall Ray- 
mond, a cousin of B. Raymond. 

The land records of Potsdam show the following list of early settlers, 
in the order of their purchases, commencing June 9, 1803. During that 
year the following persons purchased. - 

Christopher Wilson, Jabez Healey, John Fobes, Moses Patterson, 
Elihu Knights, Ash Knapp. Elias Champion, Gurdon Smith, Joshua 
CoDkley, Francis Whitney, John DeLance, ]3enjamin Stewart, Giles 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 435 

Parmelee, Sylvaniis Eaton, Archibald Royce, William Sniiib, Chester 
Dawey, Nathaniel Bailey, David French, Esau Rich, Reuben Ames, 
B;u-nabas Ames, Benjamin Bailey, Howard J. Pierce, Newel B. Smith, 
Ansel Bailey, Ebenezer Hnbbardj Ebenezer Patterson. In 1804, El)ene- 
zer Tarkhursr, Jun., Wm. Ames, Barnabas Ho^^le, Thomas Bowker, 
David Covey, Jeliiel Slafter, Joseph Wrisiit, Lebeus Johnson, Bester 
Pierce, Ro.«weli Parkhurst, Alvin Mills, Reuben Field, John Bowker, 
Spalding Waterman, William Bullard and associates, Ezra Crarey. In 
1805, Ezekiel Wilson, Paul Raymond, Jehiel Slafter, Horace Garfield, 
Ebenezer Jackson, Dyer Bottuuj, Elijah Stevens, David French, Azariah 
Orton, David Hendee, Levi Wyman, Josiah Fuller, Wm. Pike, Charles 
Cox, Benjamin Pratt, Levi West, Jeremiah GUmore, Abraham Collins, 
Samuel Harris, Levi Swift, Frederick Currier, Josiah Fidler, Ai P nvers, 
Asa Goodiiow, Abner Royce, Jun., Andrew Patterson, Timothy Parkei*, 
Luther Savin, William Isham, Timothy Shephard, Lamed Rich, Moses 
Patterson. 

On the 28th of Nov., 1804, Wm. Ballard and associates took up a 
tract of 2,427 acres, about two miles north of the present village, at a cost 
of $865604, with the view of establishing a colony, having a unity of 
interests, and on a plan which he had drawn up in New England. The 
records of the land office show, that his partners in the purchase were • 
William, Thomas H. and Ammi Currier, J. Buttolph, J. Borroujihs, J. 
and R Field, N. Howe, J. McAllaster, E. and S. Shaw, M. Smith,'D. and 
L. Wjman, and B. Wells. Some of these withdrew and others joined ; 
and about tiie month of May, 1807, they formed an association styled 
The Union, a d consisting of the following members. 

Wm. Bullard the projector, John Burroughs, Manassa Smith, Nathan 
Howe, Ammi Currier, Thomas Currier, Isaac Ellis, Wm. Currier, Alba 
Durkee, and John McAllaster. A constitution was formed, a clerk 
chosen, and all things relative to the Union was decided by a majority of 
votes, on strictly republican principles. The property of the company 
was held in common stock, each sharing equally in the proceeds, accord- 
ing to the amount of labor invested. An account was kept with each 
member, of the amount of stock invested, and day's works performed, 
and at the annual meeting of the stockholders, whicn occurred in Janu- 
ary of each year, a settlement was made with each. The company were 
prospered to some degree. Bullard acted as agent, and Burroughs as 
clerk. They disclaifned all control over the political or religious views 
of the members. After dissolution, the land was divided, and most of 
the member^ continued to reside on the tract, and accumulated property. 
But two of the company are now living. Mr. Burroughs, in Potsdam, now 
in his 88ch year, and Wm. Currier, in Ohio. Most of them afterwards 
adopted the religious tenets of the Christian sect. In March 1818, in 
this settletnent, a great excitement was produced by finding in a hen's 
uest, an egg, on which was inscribed in white and raised characters, 
very legibly, the words, ^^ivo! ivo! to those that deny the Trinitij." Like 
the golden egg of the fable, this prodigy and the hen that laid it, at- 
tracted the greatest curiosity, and hundreds from the surrewncling 
country flocked thither to wonder at the miracidous denunciation, and 
satisfy themselves by actual inspection of the prodigy. It is said that 
$500 were offered for the hen, and that this sum was refused! 

Numbers were exceedingly alarmed, and others looked upon it as a 
direct communication from Heaven, while still another class, said that it 
was a trick of some mischievous person, and that the characters were first 
traced with hot tallow, and then eroded by immersion in vinegar. From the 
account book of the Uuioi], before us, it is observed that a minute re- 



436 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

cord was kept of every item of business, a])pareiitly with strict justice, 
and at its dissolution, the most friendly feeling existed between the mem- 
bers. In SpafFord's Gazetteer, 1813, this society is erroneously stated to 
be composed of Moravians. The members were from New England 
and had formed the association before settling in Postdam. Mr. Bullard, 
the projector, had issued a pamphlet to set forth the advantage of the as- 
sociation, and labored zealously to establish it. 

In 1809, a bridge was built on the present site, which lasted till 1830, 
when the supervisors of the county were directed by an act of the legis- 
lature, to levy a tax of $300 in town, for the purpose of rebuilding it. 
The bridge then erected, liisted till 1849, when the board of supervisors 
were, by an act passed March 28, 1849, authorized to levy another tax of 
$500, in addition to the tax of $250, ordinarily raised for improving 
roads and bridges, across Raquette river, in the village of Potsdam, to be 
expended under the direction of Benjamin G. Baldwin, and Williard M. 
Hitchcock. The additional sum of $250 was also directed to be raised 
in 1850, for the same purposes. With this appropriation the present ele- 
gant bridge across the Raquette river was built. In 1810, Judge Ray- 
mond erected a building near the centre of the village, for a public 
school, and place of worship, which subsequently was given to the St. 
Lawrence academy, and for many years was occupied by the trustees of 
that institution as an academic building; In 1820, the first church in 
the village, was erected by the Presbyterians, and in 1825 the north 
academic building was built. That on the south was built in 1835, after 
the organization of a teacher's department. A full account of the origin 
and history of this institution, will be found in the chapter devoted to 
this subject. For several years from the time that settlements began, 
they progressed quite rapidly, and in no town was more energy or in- 
dustry displayed in promoting internal improvemeuts, and thus offering 
inducements to settlement, than by Mr. Raymond. 

The village early acquired a growth second only to Ogdensburgh, and 
the location of the St. Lawrence academy tended much to promote 
this prosperity. A fire company was incorporated by an act of April 9, 
1823, by which Samuel Partridge, and all of those residing in the village, 
were constituted a body corporate, with the powers, privileges and im- 
munities, usually granted to such associations, and with such exemptions 
from service, as militia, or jurymen, as is customary. On the incorpora- 
tion of the village, in 1831, the fire department was placed under the 
jurisdiction of the village trustees, who reorganized it and formed a 
code of by-laws for its government. The village possesses at present, 
two good fire engines, but there is scarcely any organization of afire de- 
partment kept, further than suitable regulations for the care and preser- 
vation of the engines. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 437 

In 1825, the citizens of this town united in celebrating the national anni- 
versary in a manner quite novel and utilitarian. The following extract 
from their pi-ogramme, which was preceded by a series of patriotic resolu- 
ons, will be read with interest. 

Resolved, therefore, that it be recommended to the inhabitants of said 
to%vn, to assemble at the village, at an early hour on the 4th day of July 
next, with teams and suitable implements, for the purpose of embanking 
the meeting houses and gun house, and improving the public square in 
said town, as a principal part of the exercises of that day. Resolved, 
That Rev. Jonathan Wallace be requested to deliver an appropriate ad- 
dress on the square, at the close of said day. Resolved, That Messrs. 
Jabez Willes, John C. Smith, John Goulding and Anthony Y. Elderkin, 
be a committee of arrangements. Resolved, That the following persons 
be appointed as assistants of the said Committee, for the purpose of no- 
tifying the inhabitants of thjeir respective neighborhoods, furnishing a 
due proportion of the several kinds of implements, and taking charge of 
the different portions of work, viz: 

Warren Clark, Moses Cheeny, Ebenezer Brush, Solomon M Crary, 
Seth Benson, Ai Powers, David French, Ansel Bailej^, Louis Plympton, 
William Smith, Sylvester Bacon, Giles Parmalee, Archibald Royce, 
James Murphey, Gurdon Smith, Stephen Buss, David Barnum, Thomas 
S. Hemenway, Perez Fobes, JoelBuckman, Ezra Lyman, Samuel Parker, 
2nd, Samuel Stickney, Jacob Redington, Jonathan Hoit, Animi Currier, 
Frederick Currier, Daniel Pride, James Porter, John Chandler, Charles 
Edgerton, Thomas W. Durkee, IsaaclEllTs, Jun., Isaac Austin, Stephen 
Maynard, John Smith, Almond Howard, Parley Perrin,Ira Perrin, Amos 
W. Brown, Aikins Foster, Bester Pierce, Horace Garfield, John Olmstead, 
John M. CalljAlanson Fisher, A. Lyman, John B.Judd,Eleazer Johnson. 

L. Knowles, Chairman. 

H. Mien, Secretary. 

In pursuance of the above resolutions, the undersigned give notice 
for the (4th of July next) of the followmg 

Order of, the Day. — 1. The day will be ushered in by the discharge of 
cannon. 2. At half past 7 o'clock, A. M., prayers will be attended ou 
the common. 3. Laljor will commence at 8 o'clock A. M , at the dis- 
charge of one gun. 4. At half past 12 o'clock, at noon, at the discharge 
of a gun and the sound of the bugle, the procession will form, and, 
aided by the band, will march to the table (on the common), to be fur- 
nished with the provisions which each man will bring with him; and it 
is presumed some appendages will be added by the people of the vil- 
lage. Liquor will be furnished by the committee. 5. At half past one 
o'clock, P. M., labor will recommence, at the sound of the bugle. 6. At 
5 o'clock, P. M., the sound of the bugle will announce the cessation of 
labor, when the procession will form and proceed to the place for re- 
ceiving the address, from Rev. Mr. Wallace. 7. The day will close with 
music and the discharge of cannon. 

J. WiLLES, \ 

A. Y. Elderkin, ( Committee 

J. C. Smith, r of 

John Goulding. ) Arrangements. 
Pofe</am, Jtiwe 23, 1825. 

The trustees of public lands in the town of Potsdam, were by an act 



438 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of the legislature passed April 18, 1828, authorized to sell the gospel and 
school lot, or any part thereof in timt tonn, on such terms of credit less 
than ten years, as tiiey might deem most conducive to the interests of 
tlie town. This was done, 

Tht villas;e of Potsdam, was incorporated March 3, 1831. The affairs 
of the corporation were directfid to be managed by five trustees, elected 
annually on the first Monday of May, in each year, who were to elect one 
of their number as |)resident, and to appoint a clerk, treasurer, collector, 
constable and pound master, who should hold their offices for one year 
unless sooner removed by the trustees. 

At a meeting of the trustees, held May 3, 1832, a seal was adopted 
having for its device a tree, under the word Fotsdam. July 3, 1832, 
Zenas Clark, George Wilkinson and Justus Smith, were a[)pointed a board 
of health, and John Parmelee, health officer, in pursuance of the statute 
law passed Jime 22, 1832. This board met soon after, and passed a series 
of resolutions restraining persons from Canada from entering the village 
without having first obtained a bill of health from some health officer 
within the county, to be approved by the board. Regulations respecting 
domestic nuisances, &c., were also passed, and vigilant measures taken 
to remove all causes which migiittend to generate disease. 

The act of 1831, incorporating the village of Potsdam, was amended 
April 10, 1849. The bounds of the; village were by this act increased, and 
additional powers were conferred upon the trustees in relation to the pur- 
chase and conveyanee of real estate, the making and rei)airing of side- 
walks, roads, &.c., and the planting and protection of trees, and the con- 
struction of reservoirs, sewers and ditches. 

About five miles from the village in the north west part of the town is 
a small village commonly known as Smith's Corners, from Gurdon Smith, 
the first settler. It is the centre of business for a rich agricultural dis- 
trict, and is the seat of the post office of West Potsdam of the U. Stales 
Mutual Insiu'ance Co. One mile south from this is a small settlement 
which has acquired the name of Yakville. The first beginning was made 
here in 1806, by Moses Patterson. It contains two saw inills, grist mill, 
tavern, two stores, several mechanic shops, and about eighteen fiimilies. 
The post office of West Potsdam, was first established here in 1847. 
Barnabas Yale and sons, Lloyd C. and John, settled here in 1836, and 
li'om them the settlement derived its name. 

Buclc's Bridge is the name of a small village in the western corner 
of tlie town, on Grass river, three miles from the rail road depot for Madrid 
and Canton, and on the plank road between those places. The place 
derives its name from Isaac Buck, from Shoreham, Vt., wh o settled here 
about 1807. In 1809, a saw iriill was built and in operation, and some 
thirty or forty acres of land cleared. A store was opened by Mr. Buck, 
about this time. A Methodist chapel has been erected here, and it is the 
seat of a post office. 

Raquetieville is the name of a village which has sprung up as if by 
magic, near the point where the Northern rail i oad crosses Raquette river, 
and at the depot for a rich and growing country, both north and south, 
with which it commuicates by plank road. Under the combined influ- 
ences of these communications, a valuable water power, the character- 
istic energy of its spirited founder, and the voy strong probability that 
it will become the terminus of the rail road about to be built to Watertown, 
it can not fail to attain that importance to which it is entitled. It has 
sprung up since October, 1850, and is mostly upon a farm of 400 acres 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 441 

purchased by Benjamin G. Baldwin, 1836. This gentleman conveyed 15 
acres to tlie company for a depot, besides road way; in 1850, he erected 
a tavern house, which burnt down the next March, and in 1851, two otiier 
taverns and several dwellings were built. In 1852, a substantial dam with 
eight feet fall, was erected on Raquette river, which affords a water power 
of great value; a highway bridge constructed a little below; the premises 
around laid out for a village, with ample reservations lor public grounds 
and numerous dwellings, built. Among the latter was a large hotel built 
by Robert M. Gill, three stories in height. An extensive forwarding and 
mercantile interest has sprung up, and the returns of the rail road show 
an amount of business surpassed only by that of its two termini. It is 
anticipated that additions to the depot which is 50 by 100 fieet, will soon 
be necessary for the accommodation of passengers. The water j)ower 
is owned by a company, and there is in preparation for building a large 
gang saw mill on each bank, and other iriachinery on an extensive scale. 
The peculiar facilities for the transportation of timber which this river 
affords, will long give prominence to this department of industry, — the 
manuiactme of wooden fabrics, and Raquetteville, in addition to the 
facilities of other points on the river, will [)ossess the additional one of 
direct rail road communication with market. A post office named North 
Potsdam, is established here, and a telegraph station on the main line 
from Ogdensburgh to Burlington, uniting with most of the large cities. 

By an act passed A[>ril 18, 1845, the board of supervisors were re- 
quired to levy a tax of $600 in each of the years, 1846 and 1847, in the 
town of Potsdam, which moneys were to be paid over to the supervisors 
oi' the town, Henry L. Knowles, Samuel Partridge, Flavel Sm.th and 
William W. Goulding, for the purpose ot being spent in the erection of 
a town house in the village. The committee hereby appointed were at 
liberty to anticipate this appro[)riation by loans, if they thought proper. 
The town was directed to choose by ballot some person who with the 
supervisor and town clerk, were to have charge of the town house, with 
liberty to grant its use for such purposes as hfight not be deemed incon- 
sistent with the pin-poses for which it was erected, or the interests of the 
town. If it should be located upon the westerly side of the public square 
it should not be let for any such use on Sunday without the consent of 
the trustees of the societies occupying the two nearest churches. 

A town hall was accordingly built the same year under a contract with 
Wm, J. Sweet. It is of wood, about 64 by 40 feet, and stands on the 
centre of the west side of the public square. 

We are much indebted to William H. Wallace, Esq., for the following 
statistics of Potsdam village, as it was in the fall of 1852: 

Population of village, 1,500 to 1,600; of town, 5,000 to 6,000. There 
were 175 dwellings; 5 churches; 2 large stone academic buildings; 12 dry 
goods stores, and six others in town ; 1 furnace or hardware store; 1 
book store; 3 shoe stores, and 1 shoe shop; 2 wholesale and retail gro- 
cery stores; I printing office (issuing a weekly paper, circulation 900); 
6 groceries; 3 hotels; 2 jeweler shops and stores; 2 saddle and harness 
shops and stores; 2 tailor shops; 3 shoe and leather stores; 2 tanneries; 
4 cabinet shops; 2 finishing machine shops; 1 foimdry and furnace; 1 
trip hammer shop; 5 blacksmith shops; 1 wholesale and retail tin store; 
2 cooper shops; 1 carriage factory; 2 wheelwright shops; 1 chair shop 
and factory; 1 marble factory; 1 fanning mill factory; 1 large flouring 
and grist mill; 2 saw mills, one gang mill with 100 saws and 4 gates; 1 
woolen factory; 1 cloth dressing and carding factory; 1 hoe factory; 2 



442 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

aslieries; 1 plaster mill; 1 drugstore, exclud'mo: two others who deal 
extensively in drugs; 1 bakery; 1 book bindery; 1 millinery furnishing 
store; 2 milliner shops; 4 physicians and surgeons; 5 practicing lawyers; 
4 settled clergymen; 1 large gang sawmill, 2h miles below Potsdam 
village, on Kaquette I'iver, 80 saws. 

The second legal execution for murder in St. Lawrence, was that of 
John Donnovan, ibr the murder of James Rowley, at Potsdam, Jan. 2.3, 
1852, Both were Irishmen. They had been drinking beer together, 
and afterwards a quarrel arose, hard words and blows were exchanged, 
but subsequently the matter was settled, and they parted, apparently as 
friends. Rowley had, however, proceeded but a short* distance, when 
Donnovan followed, and with a jack knife inflicted several wounds, which 
proved fatal. The murderer was arrested, after somes how of resistance, 
and tried before judge Hand, in February, 1852, at Canton. The jury, 
after two hours' deliberation, brought in a verdict of guilty, which verdict 
the prisoner leceived with the same apparent indifference and stupidity 
he had evinced throughout the trial. On the 21st, he was arraigned and 
received his sentence, to be executed on the 16th of April, which sen- 
tence was carried into effect in the yard of the jail, in the presence of 
the limited number which were legally admitted, and several hundred, 
who gained a sight of the spectacle from the roofs of buildings and other 
places. 

The Washington Benexiolent Society Library was incorporated in Pots- 
dam, June 14, 1814, under a general act, with Benjamin Raymond, Liber- 
ty Knowles, Azel Lyman, Robert McChesney, Pierce Shepard, Jacob 
Redington and Sewall Raymond, trustees. 

The Union Lihrai-y Jlssociation was incorporated Jan. 8, 1828, with 
Jabez Wiiles, Zenas Clark, Amos VV. Brown, Myron G. Muuson, Horace 
Allen, Solomon M. Crary, Solomon Parmeter, trustees. 

Religious Societies. — A united religious society was formed in Potsdam, 
September 16, 1806, with Wm. Bullard, Jonathan Adams, Ammi Currier, 
Reuben Field, Manasseh Smith and Alba Durgee, trustees. This was 
the Union mentioned in our foregoing pages. 

St. Paul's church society was formed August 14, 1811, with Liberty 
Knowles, 'Jose[)h P. Reynolds, and Azel Lyman, trustees. Exceptions 
having been taken at the name, it was, Dec. 16, 1820, changed to the 
first Presbyterian society in Potsdam, with A. Lyman, Sewall Raymond 
and Forest Morgan, trustees. A church organization was effected June 
9, 1811, by about 20 members, who were united by the Rev. William 
Wright, and Rev James Johnson, the latter of whom became their first 
pastor, and was installed March 10, 1812. The council that performed 
this duty, were the Rev. Messrs. A. Pettengill, of Champlain ; A. Par- 
melee, of Malone; E. Wright, of Russell; J. Winchester, of Madrid, 
and Amasa Blanchard and Salmon Gi-ay, delegates; the former from 
Hopkinton, and the latter from Madrid. Ora P. Hoyt was ordained Jan. 
18,1826; F. E. Cannon, Sept. 7, 1831. He was succeeded by B. B. 
Holchkin, and the latter by F^lijah W. Plumb, the present pastor. Up to 
the close of 1826, 199 had joined the church. In 1846, 317 had united. 
The present edifice represented on our engraving, between the two aca- 
demic buildings, was built in 1820, at a cost of $4,.500, and dedicated 
Feb., 1822. In 1820, and in the fall and winter of 1826-7, were periods 
of unusual religious interest, and the number of members was largely 
increased. 

The Christian sect, in the autumn of 1815, through the labors of Bela 
Palmer, for a church in the neighborhood of the Union. It numbered 




H ; 



m :?#,, m. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 445 

from 30 to 40 members, most of whom had belonged to that community. 
Eld. Ira Allen commenced preaching here in 18i9, and has since had 
tlie pastoral charge of the church with only two years interval. In all 
177 have united, of whom 45 have died, which, with other causes, have 
reduced the numbers to 78. 

,v, A Baptist chiu-ch was organized Jan. 9, ]8'24, of 6 males and 6 fe- 
males, delegates being present from the churcl.es in Hopkititon, Madrid, 
Stockholm, Canton and Parishville. The following have been employed 

as pastors: Rev. Messrs. Palmer, Silas Pratt, Bacheldor, Henry 

Green, Wm. H. Rice, J. Ide; some of them at several successive times. 
The present number of the church (Oct., 1852), is 58, and 150 have been 
received from the first. No society has been incorporated. . 

A Universalist society was incorporated October 2, 1825, with James 
Whitcomb, Asher Brown and Steward Banister, trustees. It had been 
formed on the 17th of Jan. previous, but this soon lost its organization, 
which was again effected Jan. 6, 1825. The early efforts failed to secure 
the means for building a church, until 1832, the meeting being previously 
held in the old academy. A committee was then aj>pointed, who in 
1835-6 erected the present church edifice. Rev. Jonathan Wallace, Rev. 
Wm. H. Waggoner and Rev. Jonathan Douglass, have been successively 
employed as clergymen. A church organization was effected January 
17, 1852, of 24 members, and the present numl)er (October, 1852), is 33. 

A Methodist society was formed Feb. 4, 1833, with John Lockwood, 
Gersham Conger, Jonathan Paul, George Wright and John Byington, 
trustees. It was reorganized January 4, 1830. A Methodist society was 
formed in West Potsdam, June 1, 1846, with Jolin Wellwood, Erastus 
RobbinS and Wm. S. llorr, trustees. 

Trinity church, Potsdam, was organized on the 23d, and incorporated 
on the 25th, of iMarch, 1835, with John C. Clarkson and Augustus L. 
Clarkson, wardens; David L. Clarkson, Zenas Clark, Theodore Clark, 
Myi-on G. Munson, Noble S. Elderkin, Samuel Partridge, Frederick Mil- 
ler, Jr. and Aaron T. Hopkins, vestrymen. Rev. Richard Bury, appears 
from the records of the vestry, to have been employed as a clergyman 
previously, and to have signed the records of the first meeting. He was 
employed on the 16th of October, 1834. The elegant church edifice on 
the island in the village of Potsdam, represented on the opposite page, 
was erected in 1835, and consecrated on the 7th of August, 1836. In 
September, 1839, the Rev. Albin R. Putnam was employed as rector of 
the church. Having received a call to the rectorship of Immanuel 
church, of Bellows Falls, Vt., he resigned on the 20th of February, 1844, 
and was, on the 29th of April following, succeeded by the Rev. Nathan 
Watson Monroe, who resigned Aug. 10, 1846. The Rev. J. G. Hubbard 
was elected rector of the church, April 18, 1847, who held this office till 
February, 1851, when he resigned. The Rev. Kendrick Metcalf, D. D., 
was elected on the 29th of September, 1851. He had been previously 
employed as a professor of Greek and Latin, in Geneva College; and on 
the change of name and fuller endowment of that institution, in the early 
part of 1852, he resigned, and returned to that institution He was im- 
mediately succeeded by the Rev. William Staunton, from Ridgefield, Ct., 
the present rector. 

in the corner stone of the church edifice, was deposited the following 
inscription : " This church is erected to the worship and service of 
'Almighty God, by the name of Trinity church, Potsdam, St, Lawrence 
county, state of New York, Anno Domini, 1835. Rt, Rev. Benjamin 
Onderdonk, bishop of the Diocese. Richard Bury, rector; John C. 
Clarkson, Augustus L. Clarkson, wardens ; David L. Clarkson, Theodore 

28 



446 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Clnvk, Zenas Clark, Aaron T. Hopkins, Samuel Partridge, Frederick 
Miller, .Inn., I\Iyro)i G. Mnnson, Noble S. F.lderkin, vestrymen. Names 
of the liiiilding conmiittee, .lolm C. Clarkson, Angustus L. Clarkson, 
David C. Clarkson, Zenas Clark, Samnel Partridge, Theodore Clark. 
Master builders, Alanson Fisher, Jedidiali Reynolds." 

There were also (leposite<l in the box, one Bible, one Common Prayer 
Book, one-copy of Tlie fc*i)iritnal Character of the Liturgy, sundry tracts, 
religions ])eriodicals, papers of the day, and coins. The ceremony of lay- 
ing the corner stone, was performed on the 3d of June, 1835. 

The Congregational church of West Potsdam was incorporated, Jnly 
8, 1842, with David Barnum, Bashin Heminway and Henry Dayton, 
trnstecs. 

A Free-Will Baptist chm-cli was formed at West Potsdam, Jtdv 4, 
1841, l)y Eld. D. F. Willis, of 30 members. Pastors; Elder Willis, 
in J 841-2, since then Elder William Whitfield has been, and still is 
their pastor. Present number 49. This chinch erected a house of 
worship in connection with the Methodist Episcopal society, in 1842, at 
the cost of about $600. It was dedicated, 2d Oct., 1842. Sermon by 
Eld. Moores Cole. The society was incorporated, June 29, 1843J witli 
G. S. Hathaway, Horace Hathaway, and B. Lane, trustees. 

' There is a small congregation in Potsdam, calling itself the Catholic 
Apostolic chiu-ch, which is one of a body of churches bearing that name 
HOW existing in England, Germany, and other parts of Europe, as well 
as in North America. It was gathered in the spring- and summer of 
1837, by the preaching of two Evangelists, who came from England to 
Canada, the year before, and were invited to Potsdam by some persons 
who had heard of their mission. As it is, with a single exception, the 
only one of the kind in the United States, the following account of the 
origin, government, faith, and worship of the body of which it foi-ms a 
part, is given on the authority of one of its ministers. 

"In the year 1830, remarkable spiritual manifestations began to appear 
in different parts of the church, at first in Scotland, and afterwards in 
England, under the form of prophesyings, speaking in tongues, healings 
&ic^ Many in those countries believed them to be true gilts of the Holy 
Ghost, as in the beginning, revived again to prepare the church for the 
coming of her Lord; and some ministers (amongst whom Mr. Irving of 
the Scotch Presbyterian church in London, stood foremost), gave liberty 
for their exercise in their congregations. This continued for a year or 
two, during which, the spiritual utterances were most abundant, throw- 
ing light upon the scri])tnres, and searching and cleansing the hearts of 
hearers, when a new form was given to the work by the naming of 
men to the office of Apostle, by the Holy Ghost, speaking, as was be- 
lieved, through Prophets. The number was gradually increased until, 
after several years, the Apostolic college was completed, and stood 
twelvefold, as at the first. Under their rule, guided by the light of 
prophecy at a living ministry in the church, the work has gone forward, 
and been developing itself more and more to the present time. Churches 
have been set up in several of the countries of Europe, in Canada, and 
in the United States; and a well defined system of order and worship 
has been established, of which the following are the principal features. 
There is a fourfold ministry of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, and 
Pastor, by the conjoined working of all of whom in their several places 
the building up and perfecting of the church is to be accomplished.' 
The Apostles, the peculiarity of whose office is, that they are sent im- 
mediately by the Lord, without the intervention of man, have the rule 



AND FRANLKIN COUNTIES. 447 

and guidance of all the clinrches; and are, under Christ, the heads of 
the whole body of the baptized. They have authority to ordain; they 
confer ihe gifts of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of their hands; and 
they serve as bands of unity, by the general oversight which they exer- 
cise over all the ministers and their flocks, in all matters of worship, 
doctrine, and discipline. Prophets are the channels through which the 
supernatural light of i>rophecy is given 'by the inspiration of the Holy 
Ghost; Evangelists have it for their special work to carry forth the 
gospel; and Fastors are entrusted with the care of souls in all the 
congregations that are gathered. 

Each fully organize)! church is under the rule of an angel (a chief 
Pastor, or Bishop), assisted by Elders and Deacons; and there are also 
Under Deacons and Deaconesses, as the necessities of the jjeople may 
require. All who are of the Priesthood, are called to their office by the 
voice of prophecy, and ordained by Apostles, (or those delegated by 
them for that purpose); but the Deacons are chosen by the people, to 
whom they act as counsellors in temporal matters, while they can also 
be used as Evangelists. In such churches, there is daily worship, at six 
in the morning and at five in the evening, with additional shorter 
servic;:s at nine and at three; and the Eucharist is celebrated every 
Sunday, and the Communion also administered every day at the close 
of the morning worship. Forms of prayer are used, embracing the 
most valuable parts of the existing rituals of the church, with such 
changes and additions as have been thought necessary to free them from 
error, to adopt the services to the present wants of Christendom, and to 
bring the worship of God into the highest form which the circumstances 
of the time allow. Vestments are worn by the ministers in fulfilling 
their public offices. As to their faith, it is that of the Church Catholic in 
all ages, as embodied in the three great creeds, commonly called the 
Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian, all of which are used in their 
worship. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the apostacy of man, the 
Incarnation of the Son of God, the atonement for sin through His sufier- 
ings and death, the office of the Holy Ghost to regenerate and sanctity, 
and the eternal retributions of the judgment, are held by them as 
fundamental truths of Revelation. They expect the speedy coming of 
the Lord to establish his kingdom upon the earth, and to rule over it 
with his saints^ risen and translated; at which time they also believe 
that God will fulfil His promises to the Jews, gather them to their own 
land, and make them a blessing to all nations. They look upon the 
church as embracing all the baptized, in all their divisions; and as 
being a divine institution, with ministries, sacraments, and ordinances 
appointed by the Lord himself They recognize all Christian men as 
brethren, members with them of the one body of Christ, which however, 
they believe to be in a state of dismemberment and schism, and full of 
error and pollution, through the sins of many generations. They are 
distinguished from others only in being the first gathered under Apostles, 
whose work they believe to be to present the bride of Christ to Him at 
His coming, holy and undefiled. They look upon themselves, as stand- 
ing in no other attitude to any part of the church, than that of brethren, to 
whom the returning grace of God has been firtt vouchsafed, and that only 
that they may be witnesses to all that His kingdom is at hand, and that 
He is visiting His people now at the end of the dispensation, to bring 
them back to His ways, and to adorn them with all the gilts of His spirit, 
they take no other name, therefore, than that which belongs to the whole 
church — Holy Catholic and Apostolic — as that which expresses its true 



448 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

staridin^f before God, and which should never have been laid aside by 
any. In tlie congregation in Potsdam, wliich has never yet received the 
fidi oigaiiizatioii of a clinrcli, and is only under the care of a Pastor and 
Deacons, there are regular services, sometimes daily, and sometimes 
only on Wednesdays and Fridays, of the week days; and the Lord's 
supper is adiniiiisterefl every Siuiday. There are between fifty and sixty 
communicants, amongst whom there have been some spuitual manifesta- 
tions in the form of prophetic utterances." 

RossiE 

Was erected from Russell, Jan. 21, 1813. The following memorandum 
in relation to the organization of this town occurs on the records of the 
town of Russell : 

"At a special meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the 
town of Ivussell, assend)led on Tuesday, the first day of January, 1811, 
at the dwelling house of Moses A.Buiuiel, in said Russell, voted, To 
grant the request of Benjamin Pike, in behalf of the inhabitants living 
on that part of Russell called Somerville, that they be set off" from Rus- 
sell and annexed to the town of Gouverneur." 

As originally forfned, it embraced townships 1,2 and 7, or Hammond^ 
Somerville, and Kilkenny, of tract No. 3. Fowler and Hammond have 
since been taken off", and the line between Rossie and Hammond was 
altered Feb, 7, 1844. The town derives its name from Rossie castle in 
Scotland, which was owned by the husband of David Parish's sister. 
Her name was Rossie, but she usually bore the name of Rosa. 

The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Reuben 
Streeter, but the day having passed the legislature appointed another 
and the first town election was held in tlie block house, then the resi- 
dence of Mr, S, 

Supervisors. — 1814, Reuben Streeter; 1815, Theodosius O. Fowler; 
1816-18, Reuben Streeter; 1819, Ebenezer Marvin; 1820,Roswell Ryon; 
1821, Reuben Streeter; 1822-4, Lewis Franklin ; 1825, Ebenezer Marvin ; 
1826-7, James Howard; 1828, William Brown; 1829, Reuben Streeter; 
1830-2, S. Pratt; 1833-4, William Skinner; 1835, S. Pratt; 1836-8, 
Robert Clark; 1839-40, Martin Thatcher; 1841, Svlvenus Barker; 1842, 
Martin Thatcher; 1843-4, Wm, B, Bostwick ; 1845-6, S, Pratt; 1847-8, 
Henry V, R, Willmot; 1849, Zaccheus Gates; 1850, Adam Turnbidl; 
1851-2, Zaccheus Gates. Mr. Gates died in April, 1852, and S. Pratt 
was elected in his place. 

The first school disti-icts were organized March 30, 1815, when No. 1 
embraced the jjresent town of Fowler; No. 2, all Rossie southeast of 
Indian river; and No. 3, between Indian and St. Lawrence rivers. The 
town is very unpleasantly situated for the transaction of its business, in 
being so divided by the Oswegatchie and Yellow lake, that no commu- 
nication can be had without going out of the town and county. In 1817- 
18-19-21, and 22, a wolf boujity of $5 offered. In 1828, the town voted 
in favor of Potsdam as a county seat. In 1844, voted unanimously 
in favor of a new county from parts of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and 
Lewis, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 449 

The earliest settlement in this town was commenced in 1807, by Jo- 
seph Teall, of Fairfield, and Reuben Streeter, of Sahsbnry, Heikimer 
county, who had contracted of Lewis R. Morris, the nephew of Gouver- 
iieur Morris, a tract lying between tlie Oswegatcliie and the south lino 
of Gouverneur extended to the county line. Mr. David Parish, Dec. 2, 
1808, purchased the town (26.804 acres), the money going to G. Morrid 
and J. D. Le Ray, with whom was the title previously. The land records 
at Ogdensburgh show the following purchases under date of October 1, 
1806, at which time these men came into town and selected lands. They 
were mostly from Herkimer county. Ambrose Simons, Oliver Malterner, 
Amos Keeney, Jr., Samuel Bonfy, Silvius Waters, Joshua Stearns, Jerom 
Waldo, George W. Pike, Benjamin Pike, Jr., Ebenezer Bemis, David 
Shepard. The first improvement was made by Reuben Streeter, in 1807, 
on a farm about half a mile east of the present village of VVegatohie. 
In 1808, he commenced the erection of a mill on the Oswegatcliie, and 
in the spring of ]8ll,the following families wei-e living on the Teall and 
Streeter tract, besides those already named: David Freeman, James 
Streeter, Joseph Teall, Diamond Wheeler, Eli Wiuchell, Sinjeon Ste- 
vens, John and Wheaton Wilcox, and Daniel Wilcox, (single.) The first 
school in town was taught about a mile west of Somerville, by a Mr. 
Maynard. The Ibllovving additional names of families appear on ihe 
first assessment roll, some of whom resided in the portions now Fowler 
and Hammond: Lemuel Arnold, Jeduthan Baker, James Barnes, Hora- 
tio G. Berthrong, (first innkeeper at Rossie,) Samuel B. Brown, Truman 
Bristol, Joseph Desbrow, James Haile, Samuel Hendrix, Jedcdiah King- 
slej^ Alexander Osburne, Ebenezer Parker, Richard Townsend, Joseph 
Teall, Jr., Elias Teall, Alvin Wrigl^t. Total number of acres wild land 
80,575; tax yjayers 37, (some of them non-reidents); cleared 499| acres; 
total value, $183,754; value of buildings in the three townshi[)s, $2,990. 

On receiving news of the war, the inhabitants of the southern part of 
Rossie, erected a block house on the road between Somerville anti We- 
gatchie, about half a mile from the latter phice, for mutual protection. 
Thither the inhabitants were accustomed to repair to spend their nights, 
on occasions of public alarm, which were very frequent, and as often 
entirely groundless. The sight of an Indian, however innocent his in- 
tentions, was sufficient to originate an alarm which lost nothing by pass- 
ing from month to mouth, and stories are related which reflect little 
credit upon the courage of certain ones of the settlers. This block house 
was well built, of hewn timber, 24 by 30 feet, and stood till about 1840. 
It was used only in 1812. A similar one was built of round logs, near a 
small stream a few rods northeast of the present village of Somerville. 
It was only occupied a few nights. 

In the summer of 1812, the mills built by Mr. Streeter were burned ia 
the night time, as it was re[)orted, by the Indians. This is believed to 
have been done by a man who lived in the edge of Gouverneur near the 
Kearney bridge, and who wanted a pretext for quitting the country. 
He fled to New York, and was not pursued or apprehended. 

The mill was immediately rebuilt by Mr. Parish, and owned by him 
until sold to Mr. James Howard about the year 1817. It was his wish 
to have the settlement at his mills called Caledonia, and this it has in 
some measm-e retained, although it has been since known as Howard's 
Mills, Churches Mills, and fVegaichie, The latter name was given it u|)on 
thf establishment of a post ofiice in 1849. It was intended at one lime 
that Caledonia should be the name of the town. 

The first settlement at Rossie iron works was comraencedby men sent 



450 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

by Mr. D. Parish, late in the summer of 1810, to erect mills, and make 
arrangements for settling lands.* 

The stone store at Ogdensburgh being enclosed and nearly finished, 
Mr. D. W. Church, who had superintended its erection, with seven men, 
one of whom was accompanied by his wife to cook for the party, pro- 
ceeded in a Canadian bateaux, with shanty furnitiu'e and tools, to the 
head of navigation on Indian river, and landed at sunset on a fine flat 
ock, on an i^sland near where the foundry now is, and spreading their 
sail upon poles for a tent for the married pair, and their blankets on the 
rocks under the canopy of' heaven, around a fire, for themselves, they 
spent the first night. The following evening saw a commodious hut with 
two rooms erected, near where the saw mill now is, and by winter a saw 
mill was erected and in operation. In December, the camp was broken 
up and abandoned till spring. During the winter, parties were engaged 
in getting out timber, which subsequently was employed in buildings 
then erecting at Ogdensburgh, and i^i the frame of the Genesee Packet, 
built soon alter at tliat port. 

During the summer of 181 J, the lumber business was prosecuted with 
vigor, and in the following winter the bridge at the foot of the Big hill 
was built. The furnace was commenced in the summer of 1813, under 
the immediate direction of Mr. James Howard, and from this period the 
settlement exhibited much life and sjjirit under the enterprising direction 
of Mr. Parish, its proprietor. A road through to Ox Bow, had been run 
out in the fall of 1810, and was cut and cleared the following summer. 
It was subsequently made a turnpike under the name of the Ogdens- 
burgh turnpike. The first male child said to have been born in town, 
was Wm. Rossie Williams, March 31, 1814. 

Hossie furnace, was the first blast" furnace erected in Northern New 
York, and is at this time by much the largest. It was built in the sum- 
mer of 1813, and got in operation in 1815. The Caledonia iron mine, 
one mile and a Jaalf east of Somerville, began to be wrought at about 
the same time or the year before. The ore was first sent to Albany for 
trial. When first erected, the furnace consisted of two stacks, but only 
one of these was ever got in operation. They were about thirty-two feet 
square at the base, and of the same height. 

The agent employed by Mr. Parish to build and run this furnace, was 
Wm, Bembo, an Englishman of great experience in this business, but 
unacquainted with the ores and fuel used in this country. The result 
was, that no iron could be made, and after spending large sums in ex- 
perimenting, and in building a costly mansion for permanent residence, 
he abandoned the attempt in discom-ag'ement, and returned to England. 
At this juncture, Mr. Parish met with parties from New England, who 
guessed that the thing could be done, and he accordingly offered to 
Messrs. Keith, Marvin and Sykes, the free use of the furnace and coal, 
with the privilege of culling the best of the ore on the premises, and all 
they could make in three months, if they would make a trial. The re- 
sult was that these men realized a large profit, and not the least difficulty 
was found in getting iron of a good quality and in the greatest abundance. 
From this time the fiunace was run by S. Fullers & Co., for about three 
years, on a contract which was to have run five years, but Mr. George 
Parish having an opportunity of leasing it for a long term, bought the 

* The early settlers found traces wliicli indicate that the English or French had at some time 
contemplated the erection of some station at Rossie. It being at the liead of a navigation of 
27 mjles towards Fort Slauvvix, rendered it important. A Duriiam boat laden with stone, was 
found sunk in the river, with every appearance of having been a long time submerged, and 
an excavation apparently for a cellar existed where the stone store a( Rossie now stands. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



451 



contract and leased to Robert R. Burr, of New Jersey, who run it two or 
three j'ears, and left about 1827. It then lay idle about ten years. A 
forge was erected in 1816, which was subsequently burned. The first 
fiu-nace was what is technically called a quaiier furnace, with one tewei 
or pipe for air. During some considerable portion of the time. before 
3826, bog ore was in part used. The princijial supj)ly has been derived 
from the Caledonia mine in Rossie. the Keene and Wicks mines^in 
Antwerp, and a small opening adjoining the Kearney mine. 

This furnace has been several times burnt and reluiilt. On the 12th 
of May, 1837, it was again got in Oj)eration bj'^ Mr. Parish, and has since 
been run by his agents with sliort intervals. A stack 32 feet square and 
46 feet high was built in 1837, and stood till about 1844, when the present 
one was erected. It is 40 feet square, 46 feet high, 9 feet diameter within, 
and capable of making 11 tons a day with a hot blast. It is technically 
called a three quarter furnace, and has three tewels or air pipes. Since 
1838 the hot blast has been used most of the time, the apparatus of which 
was put in by Mr. Alger, the patentee, in 1838. 

From 110 to 120 bushels of charcoal are required to make a ton of iron 
with the hot blast, and 200 with the cold blast. Fire brick are used for 
lining. Formerly sandstone was employed for this purpose. The for- 
mer is found to be much more durable. The following table derived 
from the books of Mr. D. W. Baldwin, the agent, will exhibit, toithose 
acquainted with the iron trade an acurate idea of the operations of the 
ftu-nace, and the average yield of the iron ores of Northern New York, 
from whicli a comparison can be drawn with the results of other fur- 
naces and different ores. The table exhibits the number of tons and 
pounds of ore consumed, the tons and pounds of pig iron made, and 
the percentage of yield of each blast since 1837. 



Ork. 


Iron. 




Ore. 


Iron. 


tons. Ihs. 


tons. 


lbs. 


per cent. 


tons. lbs. 


tons. lbs. 


1088 708 


490 


367 


45-04 


618 810 


275 1125 


666 825 


382 


556 


57 36 


3580 990 


1698 1297 


1328 992 


746 


136 


56.16 


1782 1725 


908 1570 


1251 1048 


741 


1222 


59-25 


1310 815 


608 365 


1580 1998 


847 


1747 


53-62 


3630 11 


1687 485 


1245 354 


758 


827 


60-90 


5297 231 


2568 892 


2078 717 


1113 


568 


53-56 


5398 1700 


2724 1794 


574 708 


289 


1560 


50-45 


1706 1950 


851 1667 


1281 162 


616 


769 


5006 







per cent. 
44-5r) 
47-44 
.50-97 
46.41 
46-48 
48-48 
56-05 
49-88 



All of the above blasts, except the last, were made with heated air. 

The iron mines in this town, situated u mile and a quarter east of the 
village of Somerviile, began to be wrought in the fall of 1812, and have 
been continued with more or less interruption till the present time. The 
amount is inexhaustible, and the yield in the large way about 50 per 
cent. It is raised by laborers of little or no capital, at a £tii)ulated price 
per ton, including the cost of draining and raising. The first ore that 
was taken to the Rossie furnace was not sorted, and a large amount of 
red stone was carried for smelting, which was one of the principal 
causes of the first failures in getting iron. Afterwards a large quantity 
of middling quality was thrown away, and none but the best was taken. 
From $1 to $3 has been paid per ton for drawing ore, 13 miles, to the 
furnace, and this business, done mostly in winter by sleighs, has enabled 
great numbers to pay for lands with their surplus labor. The Caledonia 



452 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

mine belonging to the Parish estate, and the one that has been princi- 
pally vvroiiuht, is estimated to have ibriiished 100,000 tons of ore. 

The geological and mineraiogical associations of" this mine will be 
found detailed in the chapter on these subjects. 

The mills represented in the accompanying view of Rossie ironworks, 
were erected in 1845-6, and the large foundry on the opposite side of 
the falls in 1848-9. This with the machine shop (not represented in the 
engraving), are capable of producing every variety of castings, and ma- 
chinery on the most extensive scale. The facilities of a plank road from 
Watertown and Rome to the St. Lawrence river, has made this point ac- 
cessible to market, and it can not fail to participate in the future jjros- 
perity of this section of the state. A large amount of rail road castings 
have been made here, and the pro[)erty of chilling which this iron pos- 
sesses to a high degree when made with a blast of cold air, renders it 
pecidiarly well adapted for those purposes which require hardness, com- 
bined with sire??^/ft. This property belongs in common to all the iron 
made by the cold blast from the specular ores of Northern New York. 
Rossie is nine miles from Chippewa bay, a port in Hammond, and most 
of the distance over a plank road. It is from nine to thirteen miles from 
the mines which supply it with ore, and from one to ten miles from for- 
ests which will for a long period furnish abundance of coal. 

In Spafford's Gazetteer (1813), the following reference is made to thia 
place : 

" Black lake seems a mere expansion of Indian river, which it receives 
at the foot of a fine cascade, where is laid out the village plat named, 
Rosa, and some mills are hei-e erected." 

That portion of the town of Rossie, lying between the Oswegatchie 
and the Indian rivers, is usually denominated the Scotch settlement, 
from the fact that nearly every inhabitant within these limits is of Scotch 
descent. The first of this settlement was begun in 1818, by ten families, 
who emigrated from Scotland in that year, by way of Quebec and the Sn 
Lawrence river, viz: 

Robert Ormiston, James Dickson, William Fachney, James Fairbairn, 
Corlan McLarer, Donald McCarrie, Thomas Elliot, James Henderson, 
James Douglas and Andrew Dodds. Their destination was uncertain; a 
portion designed locating in Delaware county, but as they were j)roceed- 
jng up the river in a Durham boat, they stopped a short time at Prescot, 
where they were visited by an agent of David Parish, and induced to 
cross to Ogdensburgh, with their families. The latter were liberally pro- 
vided for in the village, while the men went to view the lands then nearly 
surveyed in Rossie. It is said that they passed up through the valleys and 
across the richest portions, and that the existence of hills and ledges of 
rock was not known until after they had located their farms, and com- 
menced clearings. To assist the emigrants on first starting, Mr. Parish 
caused 10 acres to be cleared for each, supplied each family with a cow, 
seed, wheat and provisions for the first year, besides building a comlort- 
able log house on each farm, and furnishing an ox team to every two of 
his settlers. For these they were to pay, when they had got fairly settled 
and were in a condition to earn something from their farms, but prices 
were then very high, and the debt ran up laster than, with the means of 
payment at the depreciated prices which followed, they could cancel. 
The settlement was increased the following year by new emigrants from 
Scotland, but to these the facilities extended to the first were not offered. 
Meanwhile some of the former became disheartened by the burden of 
debts which constantly increased, and some thought of giving up their 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 455 

location and beginriinjT anew elsewhere. To avoid this and to place them 
in a condition more favorable and equal, Mr. Parish assembled these in- 
habitants at Rossie viilaj,'e, in the winter of 1823-4, and alter ascertaining 
the indebtedness of each, reduced the whole to a common level, by can- 
celing all above $5C0. This measure met with general approbation, 
and his tenants returned home with renewed courage. With but few 
exceptions the same families or their immediate descendants, still occupy 
the same fiirms that were then selected, and may be counted among the 
more thrifty, successful and industrious farmers in town. In 1819 the 
following families settled: Robert Clark, Andrew Ctilbertson, John 
Henderson, Andrew Flemming, John Dodds, James Hobkirk, JohnTait, 
James Ormiston, Davifl Storie, Wm. Laidiaw and James Lockev, 

In 1820, John McRobbie, Thomas Turnbull and brothers, Michael, 
Adam, Andrew and William, and Scotch settlers continued to arrive oc- 
casionally until 1832. Roads had been made through the central part of 
the town before these, Scotch emigrants arrived, and small beginnings 
made in one or two places. 

Yellow lake derives its name from the circumstances of its being coverd 
with the blossoms of the nuphar or pond lily, when lirst noticed. 

The village of Somerville, is situated upon the plank road between 
Antwerp and Gouverneur, six miles from the latter and seven from the 
former place. It derives its name from the township as given by sur- 
veyor General Dewitt, long before its settlement. Being without natural 
facilities it has remained but the centre of a fine agricultural district, and 
at present contains about a dozen dwellings and the usual variety of me- 
chanic shops. The Universalist and Methodist societies have each a 
church which will compare favorably with those of any place in the 
county, in which the population and number of members are not greater. 
They were both erected in the summer of 184G. Perhaps no place in 
Northern New York, presents more inducements to the visit of the min- 
eralogist than the country within fifteen miles of Somerville. 

On the Oswegatchie river, two and a half miles from Somerville, is the 
little village of Wegatchie, containing a post office, a fmnace, woolen 
factory, grist mill, saw mill, and about 20 dwellings. The furnace was 
begun in 1847, and got in operation in the spring of 1848, by Skinner and 
Blish. Up to the spring of 1852, it had made about 2000 tons of iron at 
two hot and one cold blasts. It is 30 feet square, 36 feet high, and has 
two tewels. It is capable of making four and five tons daily. No cast- 
ings are made on the premises. 

The celebrity wliich has been given to Rossie by its lead mines, will ' 
give interest to their history. 

The Indians of St. Regis have a tradition that their ancestors knew of the 
existence of lead not far from the present mines, but the precise locality 
is not known. It was not where the workings at present exist, because 
it was said to be near a small stream. The natives were accustomed to 
smelt the lead in a small way by casting the ore upon afire kindled upon 
a bark or piece of wood, and pouring the metal when melted into a 
groove in sand. The bar was then cut into small pieces and rolled into 
balls between flat stones. Many years before the mines were discovered, 
a quantity of pure galena was found on the bank of the Oswegatchie, in 
the village of Ogdensburgh, evidently n cacM of some Indian, and the 
traditions of lead mines in the woods was common with the early pro- 
prietors. It is said that lead was first found at Rossie, among the ashes 
of a log heap, but its precise locality was not then known. 

Arthur Bacon, of Rossie, is reported to have discovered masses of ga- 
lena amoi]g the earth at the roots of an up turned tree, some time before 



458 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

particular attention was directed to the subject. This was at Coal hill, 
(so called from its being a coal job or place lor making charcoal). The 
Victoria vein, so chilled, was subsequently discovered by a daughter of 
Joel .[epson. On the return of Mr. George Parish from Europe, in Sep- 
lember, 1835, he learned that I>. T. Nash proposed to searcli for oi-es, 
and on the lltli of December of ihat year, a contract was executed be- 
tween liim and Nash, with the following conditions: 

A tribute of 50 cents per ton was to be paid for iron ore, and 75 cents 
per ton ibr lead ore, should mines of either be found. All tlie lead ore to 
be smelted into lead in Rossie, and no ore to be sent away for manufac- 
ture. The lease was to continue ten years from date. 

Previous to the drawing of this contract, a company consisting of five 
persons, viz : B. T. Nash, Joseph Barber, Zudoc Day, Joseph Disbrow and 

, all of the town of Oswegatchie, had been formed for the 

purposes of mineral exploration, and Indian traditions had led them to 
the Rossie district, where indications of ore if not the mine itself, were 
discovered before the lease from Mr. Parish had been procured. The 
articles of agreement between the individuals oftlie company were drawn 
up in due form, signed and sealed. Mr. Nash soon after sold the right to 
J.C. Bush. The remainder applied for redress, and they or those to whom 
they sold their chances afterwards, com|)romised the matter, and two 
companies were incorporated by the legislature on the 12th of May, 1837, 
for the working of the lead mines. 

The charters of these two companies were alike in date, limitation, 
powers and privileges. They were to continue till January 1, 1847 ; cap- 
ital of each, $24,000, to be divided into 980 shares, of $25 each. Tlie 
business of each company was to be managed by five directors, of whom 
the first were to be those named in the act, and these were to be chosen 
on the first Monday in Feb. annually. Tliey were to choose a president 
annually. Stock was deemed personal property, and stockholders were 
made personally liable for the company's debts. The company holding 
the eastern division of the Coal hill vein, was styled The Rossie Lead 
Milling Company, and David C. Judson, James Averill, Erastuis Vilas, 
Peter C. Oakley and Roylas Vilas were named its first directors. 

The western 80 rods of the same vein was held by The Rossie Galena 
Company, of which John C. Bnsh, Bliss T. Narsh, Elias G. Drake, Syl- 
vester Gilbert and David C. Judson, were named the first directors. 

I'he vein upon which these two companies commenced their opera- 
tions, was in a ridge of gneiss rock, about two miles southeast from 
Rossie iron works, and one from Indian river. The relative position of 
the several veins and the bearings of each are represented in the accom- 
panying map. The appearance of the Rossie lead mines soon after 
they were first opened, is thus described by Prof. L. C. Beck, who visited 
the locality in the summer of 1836, as state mineralogist.* 

" Following the road from the village of Rossie, at no great distance 
from the bank of Indian river, after passing through a dense forest, there 
appeared towards the west a precipitous ledge of I'ocks about fifty feet 
high. My attention being particularly directed to this hill, I observed a 
white deposite contrasting with the dark color of the rock, passing down 
perpendicularly or very nearly so, from the summit to the base. The 
part of the vein thus distinctly and beautifully exposed, was ascertained 
by measurement to be fifty feet, while its average width was two feet. 
Upon a more close inspection, tlie vein, before its sinking below the 
alluvium, was found to incline slightly towards the north, and the whitish 

* See First Annual Report of New York Geological Survey, p. 54, 55. 



COMPARATIVE VIEWS OF TIIE CLIFF COPPER MINE OF LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE 
COAL HILL LEAD MINE OF ROSSIK 

Section of workings at the Cliff Mine, Lake Suferiok. 

Product of whole bscavation, $284,88't-93 
Number of fathoms excavated, 2,413 

Yield fbr cubic fathom, . $118 




gp loa ISO too tS9 300 



BOALE OF FKET. 



BBCTION OF WORKINGS AT COAL HILL, ST. LAWRENCE CO., N. T. 

Product of whole excavamon, $241,000 
Number op fathoms excavated, 1,396 
YiiXD per cubic fathom, $172 




SCALE OF FEET. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 463 

appearance was found to be due to the salts of lead formed by the decom- 
position of the ualena. On ascending the ledge of rocks, the course 
and extent of the vein could be easily determineil by the excavations 
that had been made, and by the appearance of the surface at those parts 
where it had not been opened. It was exposed at that time to the extent 
of 450 feet, and every part of it seemed to be so distinctly characterized, 
as to excite surprise,"^ that it had not long since been discovered." 

From an examination made at the time, it was inferred that the ore 
contained no silver, or at least that the quantity was too small to denote 
its presence bv the tests employed, and of no importance practically. 
The lead ashes were found by analysis to consist of the carbonate and 
sulphate of lead and the carbonate of lime, in variable proportions, 
formed bv the action of the atmosphere. 

Workings on the western section commenced in 1836, but systematic 
operations%ere not begun until Jan. 1, 1837, at which time the eastern 
company also commenced operations. An immense number of laborers 
were employed, and the business for a considerable time went on pros- 
perously fro'm the immense yield of lead, notwithstanding the entire 
inexperience of managers and miners, and the enormous expenditures 
for the erection of smelting houses and machinery, which were after- 
wards found to be inefficient. Wages to laborers, and prices for pro- 
visions were verv high, and the whole openitiou was conducted without 
reo-ard to economv, but with all these drawbacks, the companies divided 
large dividends, stock arose to extravagant prices, and people's heads 
seenied to be bewildered with the dazzling prospect of wealth which 
several persons suddenly realized. It has been estimated by one who 
was intimately acquainted with the operations, that $16,000 were paid for 
smelting works notiised; 88,000 for experiments; §12,600 for an extra 
set of managers 3i vears, where one would have been better; $6,500 for 
drawing stone to the smelting house, which should have been separated 
at the mine; on contracts at excessive rates, $30,000, making $17,600, 
which might have been saved. The economical method of mining, is to 
sink vertical shafts at intervals of three or four hundred teet along the 
vein, and at every ten fathoms run levels as is represented in our section 
of the Cliff copper mine. The ore is then thrown down by blasting from 
above the levels, by a process called sloping, and the ore is then wheeled 
to the shafts and raised. Instead of this at the Kossie mines, the work- 
ings were mostly from above downwards. The amount of water at the 
worst season, was about 120 gallons per minute, but the machinery em- 
ployed for raising this, from its being inefficient, was a constant .source of 
expense for repairs, and the workings were, from this cause,ofteu suspend- 
ed. The ore was principally smelted by Messrs. Moss & Knapp, at a fur- 
nace on Indian river, U "liles from the mines, at $25 per ton, with a clause 
in the contract giving them all over 68 per cent., which made it $28-16, 
besides drawing the mineral from the mines. A reverberatory furnace 
was erected at the mines, but this was found to waste more lead than it 
' yielded. The Victoria and Union veins were wrought by Mr. Parish, and 
their yield is represented on the pages of the sections. 

A working was commenced by him on the Robinson or Indian river 
vein, wherefore was found on the surface, and about 300 pounds of lead 
were taken out directly over a cavity in the granite, which, on blasting to 
the solid vein proved to be 15 feet deep. A shaft 9 by 11, and 76 teet 
deep, was sunk here, which vielded 1,100 pounds of lead. No vein m 
the last 8 or 10 feet. Cost $1,600. In the branch of the Union vein, two 
shafts were sunk, t^ie western, 55, the eastern, 50 feet deep. Both pro- 
duced, and still show, some lead. 



464 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



The following statement of yield, was drawn up by Mr. Charles L. 
Lutn, who kept the books of Moss & Kna[)p, and had accurate means 
for knowing the product of their furnace. Tiie numbers show the 
])ounds of lead smelted in each month, for the two sections of the Coal 
liili mine. 



Western Section. 



J 837 
To J. 1,110,434 

50,901 
F. Sf. M. 68,880 
(Slags), 8,382 



1838 
(Slags J 7,412 
Jan., 110,292 
48,613 



Apr, 

May, 

June, 

July, 

Aug., 

Sept., 

Oct., 

Nov., 

Dec. 



39,214 

25,836 

90,298 

76,113 

73,749 

118,058 

188,788 

54,842 

101,211 



Feb., 

Mar., 

Apr., 

May, 

June, 

July, 

Aug.. 

[Slags 

Se[)t. 

Oct., 

Nov., 



68,954 

34,609 

80,534 

67.892 

90,486 

111,349 

I 6,503 

111,271 

67,575 

n2,892 




Eastern Section. 
1837 
60,690 

80,872 
121,888 

60.714 
4.5,071 
60,802 
43.965 
83,753 
16,927 
20,996 



1838 



Jan., 
Feb., 
Mar., 
{Slags 
Apr., 
May, 
June, 
July, 
Aug., 
Sept., 
Oct. 
Nov., & 



29,915 
38,222 
52 864 
5,285 
54,963 
49,460 
35,641 
40.664 
51,921 
44,422 



Total yield. 



1,845,088 



afterwards, 405,559 

Total yield, 1,405,683 

Making in all 3,250,690 lbs. or 1625 tons of metalic lead, the average 
yield of the ore, being 67 ])er eent, or lOi tons per fathom* The ore is 
associated with beautiful white calcareous spar, fiee from any mineral 
in intimate combination with it, which renders it very easy for dressing, 
and the smelting of it in the large way has been found not to exceed 
three dollars per ton of metalic lead. It is so fiivorable for smelting 
that it can be reduced for three dollars per ton of metal, which, when 
suitably dressed, yields seventy per cent of lead. 

Both of these companies discontinued working about 1840, and num- 
bers lost large sums from the de[)reciation of stock and loss from va- 
rious causes, among which was the low price of lead in market. 

An incident occurred during the earlier workings of the mines, that 
well nigh resulted in blood-shed. During the spring of 1837, nearly 
five hundred Irish laborers were employed in and about the mines, who 
may be supposed to have been actuated by the peculiar prejudices com- 
mon to the lower classes of that people. On the evening preceding 
" St. Patrick's day in the morning," some mischievous persons had sus- 
pended by the neck, an effigy in Irish costume, before a house occupied 
by laborers as a boarding house, and affixed a label " St. Patrick," and a 
wish that this might be the fate of every Irishman. This had its natural 
effect, and the indignation towards the authors of this act knew no 
bounds. Those living near the place accused others from a neighbor- 
ing locality of doing it, and mutual accusations led to threats of ven- 
geance, and the whole crowd had armed themselves with such weapons 
as chanced to fall in their way, and were disuaded from acts of violence 
with the greatest difficulty, on the part of the overseers, who to appease 
them, offered large rewards for the offenders. Had the latter been dis- 
covered, nothing would have saved them from a violent death. This 
gave origin to a feud, which subsisted for a long time, and the laborers 
in the smelting house, in some way became obnoxious to the Irish, as 



* Miners estimate by ihe/athom which is 6 feet in length and deptti, without regard to thick- 
ness. 



r K 



*-i 




•^ ^.,'* 













SECTION OF UNION MINE. ROSSIE. 

Section of woukixqs at the Union Yeix, St. Lawhexcb Co., N. T. 



Product or excav.vtios, 
Number of fathoms f.xcavatf,!), 
Yield per cubic fathom, 



- $19,170 

136 

- $111 




411 SB M4. 



SCALE OF FEET 



PROPOSED PLAN OF WORKING THE COAL HILL MINB. 



m 








P- s t 


1 




\—~ 






PROPOSED PLAN OF WORKING THE UNION MINE. 




AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 467 

the supposad authors of the insult, Being^ in constant apprehension of 
an attack, the smelters provided means for throwing melted lead from 
their furnace, and hot water from the hoilers of the engine, and the 
knowledge of these precautions is said to have saved them froni an at- 
tack. Some time after this, two of the Irish laborers were directed to 
drill a hole for a blast in the immediate vicinity of the smelting house, 
for the purpose of forming a new channel for the water. Strict orders 
were given not to charge the hole in the absence of the foreman, but 
this was disregarded, and the drilled hole and a crevice in the rock, were 
heavily charged with powder. A third one coming up emptied the 
most of another keg into the seam, and hastily filling it up with sand 
applied a match. The authors of the mischief having fled, the blast 
took effect with tremendous energy, casting vast quantities of rock into 
the air to an immense height, and jarring the ground to a great distance. 
A shower of these i)rojectiles, falling upon the roof of the smelting 
house, perforated it in many places, but fortimately the boiler escaped, 
and no one was injured by the terrible explosion. All suspicious parties 
were forthwith discharged, and the immediate authors of this infamous 
act having fled, the quarrel was ended. 

These lead mines having been discontinued more than ten j'ears, and 
having reverted to Mr. Parish, during the summer of 1852, the shaded 
portion of the premises, shown in the accompanying map, was leased by 
11. P. Remington, for ten years, with a privilege of ten yearstnore, with 
one twelfth royalty, and a company styled the Great JVorlhern Lead 
Company, was incorporated under a general act, Sept. 8, 1852, for a 
term of fifty years, for the purpose of working mines of lead and other 
ores in St. Lawrence county. Capital fixed at $500,000, in shares of 
$10 each. The number of directors nine, three of whom will re- 
side in the vicinity of the mines, the remainder and the officers of the 
company in New York city. The underground work will be in charge 
of an agent of extensive experience, tried ability, character and judg- 
ment, who comes directly from die management of one of the largest 
mines in Cornwall. The capital in hand to commence operations will 
be fifty thousand dollars. 

The directors named were James C. Forsyth, Ernest Tiedler, P. 
Strachan, John F. Sanford, S. T. Jones, Silas M. Stillwell, Charles G. 
Myers, 11 .P. Remington, and James G. Hopkins. 

This company have commenced active operations, and ei'ected a 
Cornish engine of sixty horse power, with improved and very perfect 
machinery; imported a large number of practical miners from Corn- 
wall, who are under the direction of an experienced captain, and intend 
to prosecute tl)e business of mining on an extensive scale. New dis- 
coveries of ore have been made, and the bottom of the mines are very 
rich. We present in the accompanying cut, the sections and plans 
which are proposed for future operations. Taking into view all the ad- 
vantages of this section of our county — the rich developments in min- 
eral wealth — the ease in preparing the ore for the furnace, and the sim- 
plicity and cheapness of its reduction to metal — the convenience of ac- 
cess by plank and good turnpike roads to the various mining localities — 
a healthy climate — abundance of fuel and products of the soil — alto- 
gether present it as a decided mining region, and worthy the attentiou 
of the miner and adventurer. 

Religious Societies. — But two incorporated societies exist in town. The 
first Universalist society of Somerville, was formed Aug, 20, 1842, with 



468 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Lyman Merrimari, Alva Weeks, and Wm. Ayers, trustees. In 1846 they 
erected a cliurcli, wliich in the last census is reported worth $1,700. 

The Methodist Episcopal ciiurch of Sonierviile, was incor[)orated Dec. 
16, 1845, with Hiram Mall, Orin Freeman, .lolin .lolinson. Freedom Free- 
man, Angnstus Presto'n, and A. C. Van Dycke, trustees. They erected 
in 1846, a chapel, reported in the census worth $1,500. 

The Catholics several years since commenced a church at Rossie Iron 
Works, which was not enclosed. 

Russell, 

Was formed by an act of March 27, 1807, embracing the whole of 
Great tract No. 3, except so much of township 3 as is now included in 
Pierrepont, which by this act was attached to Potsdam. The first town 
meeting was directed to be held at the house of Reuben Ashman. 

By an act of April 10, 1818, the townships of F^dwards and Fitz Wil- 
liam (now liermon and Edwards), were transferred from Russell to 
Fowler. The first town officers were: Russell Attvvater, supervisor; 
Reuben Ashman, clerk; Ezra Moore, Jos. Hutchinson, Philip Viall, asses- 
sors; Calvin Hill, constable and collector; John Knox, Jos. Hutchinson, 
overseers of the poor ; Sam'l Eaton, .lohn Watson, John Knox, commis- 
sioners liighways ; John Watson, Thos. Gillmore, yence viewers; Azel 
Clark, Simeon Stiles, Elihu Morgan, Joel Clark, overseers of highways. 

Supervisors. — 1808-10, Russell Attvvater; 1810, at special town meet- 
ing, R. Ashman ; 1810-14, Reuben Ashnian ; 1815-18, Anthony C. Brown ; 
1819-21, Phinneas Attwater; 1822, R. Ashman ; 1823-7, James WilliaMis; 
1828-33, Rollin Smith; 1834-8, Elihu Phelp.-; 1839-40, Holmes Nevin: 
1841-2, R. Smith; 1843-6, Benjamin Smith; 1847, R. Smith; 1848, J. 
Williams; 1849-50, Nelson Doolitlle; 1851-2, Rollin C. Jackson. 

JVofe.9.— 1809, $250 raised for the poor, $250 for schools. 1810, $5 for 
wolf bounties, and $150 voted for this purpose; $250 raised for the poor, 
to be let on good security. 1811, same wolf tax and poor tax as 1810. 
Voted that the books sent to the town of Russell, by the Hampshire Mis- 
sionary Society, be left in the care of Moses A. Bunnel, and to be re- 
turned to him within three months after taken away. Voted, that a sled 
shall be four feet wide. A fine of $2 for going on the public highway 
with a sled that is not four feet wide the present year. The same in 
1812. $5 wolf bountj^, $100 to pay these bounties; $250 for the poor; 
$1 penalty for allowing Canada thistles to grow and go to seed. 1813, 
$5 wolf bounty, payable out of the money previously raised for this pur- 
pose. 1814, $250 for the poor. 1815 to 1819, voted to raise three times 
the amount for schools that the town receives fiom the state. 1820, $5 
bounty for wolves, payable fi'om the money raised for this purpose in 
1810, 1811 and 1812. In 1821, a committee of three appointed to ex- 
amine and see if there is any money in town raised for the destruction 
of wolves in 1810, 1811 and 1812. Resolved, That such balance as may be 
found due, shall be collected and paid to the supervisor tor the purpose of 
paying a bounty on noxious animals at the rate of $2*50 for each wolf, pan- 
ther and bear, and $1 for each fox. In 1822 the money paid for bounties 
raised in 1810-12 to be paid in work on roads and bridges. 1823, voted 
to give up to Reuben Ashman $150, raised in 1810, for the destruction 
of wolves, on his securing the remainder. In 1832, voted that the ter- 
ritory called Scriba, and Bloomfield, be set off into a separate town, on 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. "469 

condition that thej^ will not call for any of the public funds of money 
now on hand, except road money. In 1838, remonstrated against the 
petition of the inhabitants of the town of Edwards, to have the town-^ 
ships Nos. 12 and 14, now belonging to this town,^set off to the town of 
Edwards. In 1839, voted in favor of abolishing tlie poor honse system, 
and agreed to unite in a petition to the legislature to that effect. 

This town is named from Russell Attwatei-, and now embraces a part 
of Dewitt, the whole of Ballybeen, and the north half of Sarahsburgh. 
It was McCormick's wish that the town should bear the uarne of Bally- 
been, after his native place in Ireland. Mr. Attwater had piu-chased of 
McCorrnick, in 1798, the north half of No. 5, a quarter of No. 6, a quar- 
ter of No. 14, of tract No. 2, and a quarter of No. 22 in Franklin county 
All but the half of No. 5, were subsequently reconveyed. This em- 
braced about 13,600 acres, and was purchased at about forty cents per 
acre. 

The town was first explored with the view of settlement by Mr. Rus- 
sell Attwater, in the summer of 1804. In 1805, Timothy Blair, a sur- 
veyor from Blanford, (the former residence of Mr. A. and many of the 
first settlers), came on, and surveyed most of the town into farms. The 
party who came this year, arrived in the spring, and spent the whole 
summer in opening roads, surveying, and in clearing a field of about 
twelve acres, on a farm now owned by George L. Horsford. The com- 
pany who spent the season of of 1805 in towii, were mostly young men 
in the hire of Mr. Attwater, who boarded themselves in a shanty, and pro- 
cured their provisions from Canada. The first family that settled in town 
was that of Nathaniel Higgens, who in the spring of 1805 commenced 
a clearing on a small lot near the village. Joel Clark and family, from 
Granby, Mass., came in the fall of 1805, and the first saw mill in the town 
of Russell was erected by him the same year, on Plum creek, half a mile 
from its mouth. These two families spent the winter of 1805-6 in town, 
with no neighbors within many miles. 

The names of those who accompanied Mr. Attwater the first summer 
(1805), were Nathan Knox, Heman Morgan, Elias Hayden, Loren Knox, 
Reuben Ashman, Jesse Bunnell, Elihu Morgan, and David Knox. In 
April, 1806, Mr. Attwater returned with many others who proposed to 
form a settlement, and proceeded by way of the Black river country, 
and the State road, to Washburn's, in Macomb, and thence crossed to 
Foote's settlement, in Canton, and proceeded thence to their destination 
in the present village of Russell. A Mr. Alvin White, from Granville, 
Mass., lived near the south line of Canton, and was the only settler on 
the route. Dea. Joseph Hutchinson, of Shoreham, Vt., Michael CofBn, 
of Vl, Philip and Sampson Vial, John Potter, and John Cooper, from 



470 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Willsborough, N. Y., and a {ew others joined them. A field of corn 
planted among the logs in the month of June, yielded at a surprising 
rate, which greatly encouraged the emigrants, and led them to look for- 
ward with pleasing anticipations to the future. The reports of the fer- 
tility of the soil, carried back to New England, had an influence in in- 
ducing others to emigrate to the new settlement. Jacob Ilutchins com- 
menced the erection of a log grist tniil, on Van Rensselaer creek, in De- 
witt, about half a mile from the south line of Canton, in the summer of 
]80G, and this was the second mill erected in town. 

The first child born in the town, was a son of Reuben Ashman, in 
October, ]806. The second was a daughter in the family of Nathaniel 
Iliggens, in May, 1807. The first death was tliat of one Curtis, in 
the year 1807. The settlement was increased in 1807, by the ad- 
dition of the following families: Simeon Stiles, Elihu Phelps, in the 
winter of that year; Samuel Clark, and several other families of the 
the same name; John Watson, Horace Dickenson, Enos Bunnell, Luther 
and David Phelps, and many others. Dr. Plinuy Goddard, fi-oin Ver- 
mont, was the first physician who in 1807 located in town. In the win- 
ter of 1808-9, the first school was taught in town by RoUin Smith. The 
first religions meetings were conducted by the Rev. Royal Phelps, a Pres- 
byterian missionary, in 1806, at the house of Mr. Attwater. The first 
Episcopal services were conducted by Bishop Hobart, about 1807. The 
earliest meetings of the Baptist church were held by a man named 
Sawyer. Calvin Hill and Harriet Knox, were the first persons married 
in the town of Russell. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. 
Phelps in the summer of 1806. The first saw mill at the village of Rus- 
sell, was erected by Mr. Attwater in 1807, and a grist mill not long after. 

An act was passed Feb. 24, 1809, which directed the governor to cause 
to be deposited, if he should deem necessary, an amount not exceeding 
500 stands of arms, in such place in St. Lawrence county as he should 
select, with such quantities of ammunition and military stores as in his 
opinion would be necessary in case of invasion. The village, from its 
being interior and on the St. Lawrence turnpike, was selected, and a 
building erected It stands on a commanding elevation, a little north of 
the village, on a lot given to the state by Mr. Attwater for the purpose of 
an arsenal, and is a massive stone building, three stories high, thirty by 
fifty feet on the ground, and originally surrounded by a high stone wall, 
bristling with iron spikes. The lower story was destined for artillery, the 
second for small arms, and the thii-d for ammunition. During the war, a 
guard was posted around the premises for its protection, but since that 
period no further supervision has been maintained than the care of a 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 471 

keeper, who was a citizen residing in the vicinity. In the summer of 
1850 the arsenal building was sold at auction, in pursuance of a general 
law, for the sum of $525. The arms, amounting to four hundred stand, 
and some twenty thousand cartridges, were sold in small lots at the same 
time. It is contemplated to convert the arsenal building into a high 
school, for which it is well adapted, and the surrounding country is 
abundantly able to sustain such an enterprise in a creditable manner. 

During the first year of the war, the settlement at Russell village ex- 
hibited an activity and enterprise which has never been surpassed by any 
settlement in the county. The erection of the arsenal, and the opening 
of the roads towards Lake George and Albany, which concentrating in 
town were supposed to promise prospects of future greatness, and the 
St. Lawrence turnpike then in course of completion, by its enormous 
business during the first one or two years of its existence, gave encourage- 
ment that this prosperity would last; but the latter lost its importance on 
the close of the war, and the two southern roads soon fell into ruin from 
disuse, and their route can now be traced only with difficulty. 

By an act passed April 26, 1831, the overseers of the poor were direct- 
ed to pay over on the first day of January of each year, to the commis- 
sioners of common schools, the interest of all moneys arising from the 
poor fund, to be by them applied for the use of schools. 

A forge was erected at the village on Grass river in 1846. It has two 
fires and is capable of making about 400 pounds of bar iron a day. It 
has been worked with bog and magnetic ores, and with scrap iron. 
The ores with which it is supplied are drawn from three to eleven miles 
from their localities, and can be obtained in unlimited quantities. 

Religious Societies. — The Baptists organized July 15, 1809, under the 
Rev. Samuel Rowley, a missionary, and the early meetings were held at 
the house of Philip Viall. First number, seven; whole number, one 
hundred and eighty-five; present number, forty-two. A church was 
built in 1845, at a cost of $900, and dedicated October 15, 1845. The 
present pastor is the Rev. Myron R. Slater. A society was incorporated 
December 29, 1846, with Harry Van Aernam, Wm. G. Gibbons, and 
Gilbert Stewart, trustees. The Presbyterian and Episcopal denomina- 
tions have formed societies in town. The latter under the name of 
Sion church, April 10, 1819, with Russell Attwater and Jesse Bunnell, ^ 
wardens; Justis Ives, Levi Frost, John Boyd, Moses Bunnell, Reuben 
Ashman, Phineas Attwater, William Attwater, and Nathan Knox, vestry- 
men. The Wesleyan Methodists formed a church September 9, 1843. 
The following is a list of their clergymen : Hiram Wing (deceased), 
Joel Grennell, W. W, Sterricker, S. Soper, and Harvey Miles, the present 
])astor. A Methodist Episcopal society was incorporated Feb. 19, 1851, 
Hiram Derby, M. Van Brocklin and Charles Rundeli, trustees. 

29 



472 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Stockholm, 
Embracing the original township, was formed from Massena, Feb. 21, 
180G, the first town meeting being directed to be held at the house of 
Luman Pettibone. By an act of April 15, 1834, mile squares 6, 7, 8, 9, 
10, and the north half of 14 and 19, were annexed to Norfolk. A petition 
had been sent in 1805, to form the town, which was referred to the 
members from Oneida, who then represented this county, but nothing 
was done. The day of the first town meeting having passed without an 
election, Nathan Walker, of Canton, Gindon Smith and Benjan)in Ray- 
mond, of Potsdam, magistrates, proceeded to appoint under their hands 
and seals, town officers in pursuance of powers granted in an act of 
March 7, 1801, viz: 

Ebenezer Hulburd, supervisor; Wm. Staples, clerk; Stephen A. Tam- 
bling, Benjamin Wright and Arba Woodward, assessors; Samuel Web- 
ster, constable and collector ; S. A. Tambling, Luman Pettibone, overseers 
'^rthepoor; S. A. Tambling, E. Hulburd and W. Webster, comh-s of high- 
ways; S. A. Tambling, B. Wright, /ence viewers; ErUnlhui A, pound- 
master; L. Pettibone, overseer of highways. We regret that our space 
will not allow the publication of this instrument entire. 

Supervisors. — 1806, Ebenezer Hulbui-d; 1807, Simeon Nash; 1808-9, 
Zephaniah French; 1810-11, Stephen A. Tambling; 1812-13, Warren 
Webster; 1814-22, Nathaniel F. Winslow; 1823, at a special meeting, 
Chauncey Pettibone; 1823-9, Chauncey Pettibone; 1830-2, Shiverick 
Holmes; 1833, Joseph H.Sanford; 1834, Benjamin Holmes; 1835, Wm. 
T.Osborne; 1837-8, Joseph H. Sanford ; 1839, Dorus Pettibone; 1840, 
Thomas Dunton; 1841-2, J. H. Sanford; 1843-5, Ziba L. Smith; 1846, 
Sidney Kelsey; 1847, B. Holmes; 1848-9, Allen Lyman; 1850-1, Daniel 
P. Rose; 1852, Hiram Hulburd. 

Notes from the Records.— \Yo\^ bounties of $5 offered in 1808, '9, '11, 
until the meeting of the supervisors, when it was to be increased or less- 
ened to make it $20. $5 in 1814, '17; $10 in 1819, '20. On several 
years panther bounties. In 1817, voted against division, and in 1824, a 
strong remonstrance against annexing a part to Norfolk. In 1828, six 
ballot boxes to be provided for town elections, to be numbered. No. 1, 
supervisor and clerk; No. 2, assessors; No. 3, overseers of poor; No. 4, 
commissioners of highways; No. 5, constables and collector; No. 6, 
commissioners and inspectors of schools. 

In 1830, clerk requested to endeavor to get Stockholm excepted from 
law I'equiring one ballot box for town elections. In 1833, supervisor and 
clerk to petition for a repeal of the law abolishing imprisonment for debt. 

An adjoui-ned town meeting was held March 19, 1822, to receive the 
report of a committee of five, consisting of Ebenezer Hulburd, Chauncey 
Pettibone, N. F. Winslow, John Simons and W. Webster, appointed to 
examine into the situation of the public lands in town. Ralph P. Stearns 
and Chauncey Pettibone were appointed the first commissioners of pub- 
lic lands. A committee was appointed to draw up a petition to the 
legislature to authorize these lands to be granted on durable leases. 

An act passed Feb. 8, 1823, created the office of trustees of public 
lands in the town of Stockholm, who were to be elected by the inhabit- 
ants and to constitute a body politic for the care and preservation of 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 473 

gospel and school lot in the town of Stockholm. They were to have 
the powers of similar officers in Madrid. 

Arrangements for settling this town began to be made in 1800 and 
1801. In 1802, Ebenezer Hulburd and Dr. Luman Pettibone, agents, 
from Orwell, Vt., with Benj. Wright, Isaac Kelsey, Abram Sheldon, and 
others, came into town and commenced improvements. Mrs. Sheldon 
was the first woman in town. On the 7th of March, 1803, seven families, 
of which six wei-e from Orwell, Vt., moved in. The heads of these 
■were Isaac Kelsey, Wm. Staples, Abraham Sheldon, Luman Pettibone, 
John and Robert Bisbee, and Benj. Wright. They had the first year, 
raised some corn, oats and potatoes, which had been secured as well as 
circumstances allowed. They came by wayof Chateaugayand St. Regis, 
and up that river on the ice. The houses and furniture constructed, 
were all of the rudest kind, and such as saws, axes and augers would 
make. With strips of elm bark, they made bedsteads and chairs, and 
all their furniture was of the rudest and simplest pattern. 

In September, 1804, occurred the greatest flood ever known in the 
country, produced by heavy rains and swelling the St. Regis river far 
above its ordinary flood level. Four of the seven families living near 
the bank of the river, were compelled to flee from their homes. One 
family living near Trout brook, remained within doors until the under 
floor was raised from the sleepers, and the wood was floated from the 
fire-place, and with the greatest peril and difficulty they escaped with 
their lives. 

The first saw mill in town was built in 1804, by Samuel Reynolds, a 
proprietor of several mile squares, about one and a half miles above the 
east village. 

The first school was taught in the winter of 1807. Among the early 
settlers not above named were Stephen A. Tambling, Warren Webster, 
Alba Woodward, Samuel Webster, Simeon Nash, Luther Hulburd, 
Zephaniah French, Alpheus Johnson, John Graves, Josiah L. Hill, Ralph 
P. Stearns, Reuben Kelsey, and others. 

The first agents for Stockholm (Pettibone and Hulburd), were in 1816, 
succeeded in the western part of the town, by Nathan Osburne, and 
shortly after i)y J. II. Sanford. The latter held the office for many years, 
and was the predecessor of Mr. E. M. Foster, the present agent for the 
proprietors. 

The first sheep taken into Stockholm, and the first in the eastern part 
of St. Lawrence county, were driven from Vermont, in 1803. The flock 
consisted of about fifty. They arrived in October, 1803. Much trouble 
was encountered in getting them across some of the streams, particularly 



474 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the Salmon river, where the timbers of a bridge were laid only. A part 
of tiie flock crossed on these, and the rest swam the river. From this 
little flock the farmers of the neighboring towns derived their stock. 
Much difficnlty was experienced in keeping them from being destroyed 
l)y wolves. Every night it was necessary to yard them in an enclosure, 
well fenced against their troublesome enemies, and during the day, it 
was found impossible to preserve them unless pastured in the immediate 
vicinity of dwellings. Similar difficulties were felt in Hopkinton and 
other towns, and led to the offer of bounties for the destruction of wolves, 
which in these towns were doubtless necessary, and considered at the 
time as no more than adequate to accomplish their object. 

The first settler who located in the west half of Stockholm, was John 
Thatcher, from Williston, Vt., who in March, 1805, started from the set- 
tlement in the east part of the town of Stockholm, taking his wife and 
children, and the small sum of household articles which he was able to 
carry in a vehicle drawn by a single horse, to locate in the western part 
of the town. On arriving at the river, he found it swollen and rapid, 
but providing himself with a pole to sustain himself against the current, 
he forded it repeatedly, carrying on his back his children, and his house- 
hold goods, and finally with much difficulty, assisted his wife in wading 
the river. Here he constructed a rude shelter of hemlock boughs beside 
a fallen tree, and kindling a cheerful fire on the site of the present little 
village of Sanfordville, he spent the first night. The horse was comfort- 
ably provided for on the opposite bank of the river, and on the following 
day he returned to the settlements to make further arrangements for his 
residence. He is spoken of as a man capable of enduring fatigue to an 
extraordinary degree, and was known to have carried the flour of three 
bushels of wheat on his shoulders for miles through the forest to his 
family. The first log house in the west half of Stockholm was built near 
the line of Potsdam, for a Mr. Dart, in the winter of 1805-6, by some 
ten or a dozen of the settlers of East Stockholm, who went to the loca- 
tion a distance of eight miles, cut and rolled up the frame of a log house, 
and returned in the evening of the same day. George Streight, John 
Partridge, Stiles Nelson, and Eldad Taylor, were early settlers in the 
west half of the town. 

The first gris^ mill in Stockholm, was erected at the present village of 
Bicknelville, and during the first one or two years, the citizens were 
compelled to resort to Sheik's mill, in Canada, or to Canton, or to Ro- 
berts's mill, now Columbia village. In 1804, a mill was got in operation 
in Hopkinton. 

During the first summer, Mr. Pettibone had occasion to resort to the 
mill at Columbia, through a densely wooded country, without roads wor- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 475 

thy of the name, and the trip was performed under circumstances of 
peculiar hardship. Dr. P. and a young man by the name of Abel Kel- 
' sey, started with an ox team and wagon, expecting to spend the night 
in a shanty whicli they supposed had been built, and was occupied by, 
a settler, who had commenced a small clearing on the west side of Ra- 
quette river, about a mile and a half below the })resent village of Pots- 
dam. They accordingly neglected to take with them any apparatus for 
kindling a fire. 

At the close of a day of toil and labor, they found themselves 
on the banks of the river, and succeeded in fording it, laying the grain 
bags on polls across the top of the wagon, to keep it dry; but to their 
great disappointment, the cheerful log hut and comfortable fire which 
they had anticipated as waiting them, was not there, and to add to their 
misery a cold, drenching i-ain set in, and continued through the night. 
They had been already half drowned in crossing the river, and were 
compelled to crawl under the best shelter they could find, and spend 
the night in as wretched a condition as possible. On the next morning, 
Mr. Pettibone found himself shaking with an ague, contracted in con- 
sequence of exposure, and with the greatest difficulty able to get through 
to his destination. 

The join-ney to Foote's mill, in Canton, usually consumed five days, 
in going and returning, ten bushels being the amount that could be taken 
at a trip, which was performed with an ox team. Two or three men 
accompanied to guard against accidents, and clear away the underbrush 
for the cattle. On arriving at streams, the grain was taken over on their 
shoulders, or laid across the oxen, to keep it out of the water, and thus 
all the intervening rivers were forded, except Raquette river, which was 
crossed by a float, just below the falls, at Potsdam village. This was 
the only way of crossing at that place, till the erection of a bridge in the 
year 1809. The ox teams were driven into the water, sometimes much 
against their will, and forced to swim the river, their drivers with whips 
and loud shouts preventing their return to the banks. At night, if the 
pioneers found shelter and supper in the hut of some settler, it was well ; 
and if not, it was as well; for they usually succeeded in striking a spark 
from steel, and setting fire to some dry standing or fallen tree, by the 
side of which they would spend the night, having care that the fire should 
not mount into the tree top, and detach the larger branches, or burrow 
among the roots, and overturn the flaming column upon them. 

The journey to Canada was in part performed by canoes on the rivers, 
more or less difficulty being encountered in passing the rapids. Amid 
these rude and fatiguing labors, which would dishearten a majority of 
our present citizens, a certain amount of enjoyment existed. The hand 
of sympathy was extended to neighbors, and any luck that befel one, 
was regarded as a common benefit. If any needed a helping hand, his 
desire need but be announced, to be heeded, and a common interest and 
a hope of better times, stimulated to exertion, and dispelled gloom. 

During the war, numbers of the inhabitants became alarmed, and left 
the county, from fear of the Indians, and those that remained proceeded 
to erect defences for their protection. One of these was a double line 
of pickets ai'Dund the house of Dr. Pettibone, which enclosed a square 
area of about a quarter of an acre, and was finished with gate and fix- 
tures complete. Here the inhabitants assembled on a few occasions of 
alarm, but no real danger ever presented itself. Another stockade was 
commenced around the house of Warren Webster, about a mill east of 
the centre of the town, which was finished on two or three sides only 



476 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and a third was commenced around the dwelling of Jonathan Sager, in 
the west half. 1 hese pickets were timbers set upright in a trench, about 
three feet deep, in a double row, so that no openings existed between 
them. They were about sixteen feet high, sharpened at the top, and 
supported by earth banked against them on each side. On one occasion 
of a draft, the greatest fear was entertained from an attack of the St. 
Regis or some other Indian tribe, they knew not what, and a volunteer 
company was raised, and a guard mounted and maintained for several 
days on the road which led towards .Canada. Arms were procured at 
the state arsenal at Russell, and distributed among the inhabitants. From 
the miry condition of the roads, these were procured with great difficulty, 
being borne by pack horses, which often required to be relieved in pass- 
ings swamps and streams. 

The miseries of war appear to be not limited to the actual amount of 
suffering which it directly entails, but include the privations and hard- 
shi|)s sustained from apprehensions of danger, which often lead the 
timid to voluntarily encounter a needless amount of suffering. 

The roads were at times thronged with groups of timid inhabitants, 
hastening away with such articles of furniture and provisions as they 
were able to snatch in their haste, and with such vehicles as they could 
command, and each augmented the fears of the others, by magnifying 
the rumors which they had received from those as timid as themselves. 
It is but just to say, that the class of fugitives did not form a majority of 
the existing population, and that there were many who ridiculed the 
fears of the timid, represented the absurdity of the alarms, and earnestly 
entreated them to behave like men, and stand ready to do their duty if 
real danger should arise, instead of stealing off in the cowardly manner 
of some. A portion of those wlio left the country never returned, and 
others came back to witness the waste and destruction which their own 
folly and neglect had brought upon them. 

The village of BicknellviUe, on the west branch of St. Regis, in the 
southwest quarter of Stockholm, and about half a mile south of the 
direct road from Potsdam to Malone, was first begun in 1811, by Amos 
Bicknell, originally from Barnard, Vt., but since 1806, a resident of 
Potsdam. In May, 1811, he removed to this place, with his family, con- 
sisting of his wife, six sons and three daughters, several of whom still 
reside in the vicinity, and commenced the erection of a grist and saw 
mill, which were built and got in operation the same season. 

About 1815, the proprietor, Mr. Pierrepont, expended a large sum in 
opening a road from Parishville to Norfolk, which, from its importance 
as a communication by which potash from the new settlements could 
be taken to the navigable waters of Raquette river, was called the Market 
road. This route originally was laid about a mile east of this place, but 
eventually the principal travel from the back towns passed through by 
Bicknell's mills, and some portion of the original road has been discon- 
tinued. 

In 1812 or 1813, a carding machine was got in operation at this 
place, and having a natural advantage in the possession of a good water 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



477 



power, it has gradually grown into a small village, with a grist and saw 
mill, small Woolen factory, foundry and machine shop, and a number of 
mechanic shops. A fork and hoe factory was maintained there several 
years, but is at present discontinued. It has a Methodist chapel, a union 
store, a tavern, and about tliirty families. 

Southville is asmall village having a post office of the same name, and 
situated near the south bounds of the town. The earliest settler in this 
place, is said to have been Shubel Gurley. Daniel Harrington and some 
others located soon after in the neighborhood. 

Three miles from Potsdam Station, on the Northern Rail road, and on 
the direct line between ParishviUe and Norfolk, is the depot of Knapp's 
Station, which derives its name from Moses Knapp. The first settler in 
this vicinity was Eldad Taylor, on the farm of Mr. Knapp. The station 
at this place was first named Slockholm, while that near Brasher falls, 
also in this town, was named Brasher, and afterwards Stockholm and 
Brasher, but confusion arising from the similarity of names, the present 
one was adopted. The post office of JVorth Stockholm is located at this 
place. This is a flag station, and passenger trains do not stop without 
a signal. The business at present limited, but is expected to increase 
with the opening of new routes, and the further settlement of the country. 
This is one of the points proposed for the terminus of the Potsdam and 
Watertown rail road, and should it be finally selected, it would become 
a place of much importance. It is often known by the inhabitants as 

Plum Brook. 

A forge was erected on Trout brook, about a mile southwest of the 
centre of the town, by Benjamin Holmes and Harry Merrill, about 1825. 
It was run about ten years on bog ore, obtained from swamps in the 
vicinity. The enterprise was given up on account of the failure of the 
supply of ore. 

p.7,V,-n«, S'onVfie-?— InMav, 1803, the settlers commenced holding 
re^^urSeetgfo^ i^. ^h^/rstsern^n preached m^^^^^^ 

E mbbaKm BTjnd'rVt.^ S and spent a few sabbaths with the 
?;nnlP which resulted in the formation of a Congregational church of 
rmaeaLsfemarmembers, March 10, 1807 In ---- /^e m^t- 
TncTs were held in barns, and in winter, m P'-'^^^\hous^ In 18 3 they 
employed the Rev. Hiram S. Johnson, who P'-«-«hed half of the time tiU 
1R1Q Tn 1821 the Rev. Moses Parmelee was hired 1 11 1824. l^or^U 
ftl tht fh^v Imd no pastor, but were most of the time supplied 
years after this they had no pasw, pj^j, (. p^tf,bo„e, was installed 

Tve^CoSgat on '^^^^^ slui ?em;ins their pastor. The society was 
over the <;0"gl.^^<"' ' .^ gj^ Kelsey, Ashbel Skinner, and 

mcorporated June 6 1837 ™ ^ > j^ denomination was formed 

a^t Wrst'^tSolfr;, a^uTl^^^^^^^ and consisted originally of 5 members. 



478 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

The Rev. Roswell Pettibone, was einployed as their first preacher. 
There has been no |)astor regularly installed over this chinch. A church 
edifice was erected in 1831, at a cost of about $1,800, mainly through the 
influence of Mr. J. H. Sanford. 

The Baptists organized at a very early day, but the data of their history 
has not been received. The society was incorporated May 25, 1822, 
with Ralph P. Sterns, Warren Webster and Luther Fuller, trustees. It 
was reorganized Jan. 7, 1839. They have a meeting house in town. 

The Free-Will Baptists were organized into a church in June, 1839, 
by Eld. Samuel Hart, and is at present almost scattered. A Methodist 
Episcopal church was incorporated in West Stockholm, Nov. 19, 1840, 
with Loren Ashley, Ziba S. Smith, Ruel I^ncoln, Roswell B. Webb, 
Horace Doud, Martin Strait, Henry B. Sumner, Norman Ashley, and 
Joseph Page, trustees. 

The Wesleyan Methodist society ot East Stockholm, was incorporated 
Oct. 11, 1852, with Ira Beach, Stillman Austin, Elias Jenkins, Hugh 
Allen and James Kelsey, trustees. 

A church of the Christian order, was gathered by Eld. Palmer, many 
years since, which once numbered 40 members, but they have for some 
time been scattered and without a pastor. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY, 

Embraces 15 towns which are organized as follows: 

Bangor, taken from Dickinson, June, 15, 1812. 
Bellmont, taken from Chateaugay, March 25, 1833. 
Bombay, taken from Fort Covington, March 30, 1833. 
Brandon, taken from Bangor, Jan. 28, 1828. 
Burke, taken from Chateaugay, April 26, 1844. 
Chateaugat, taken from Champlain, March 15, 1799, 
Constable, taken from Harrison, March 13, 1807. 
Dickinson, taken from Harrison, April 11, 1808. 
DuANE, taken from Malone, January 24, 1828. 
Fort Covington, taken from Constable, Fehruary 28, 1817. 
Franklin, taken from Bellmont, May 20, 1836. 
Harrietstown, taken from Duane, March 19, 1841. 
Malone,* taken from Chateaugay, March 2, 1805. 
MoiRA, taken from Dickinson, April 15, 1828. 
Westville, taken from Constable, April 25, 1829, 

Bangor, 

Was organized as above, the first town meeting being held at the 
house of Chester Tuller, and the poor moneys being equitably divided. 
The first town officers were 

Joseph Plumb, supervisor; Eleazer Barntim, clerk ; C. Fuller, John Mar- 
vin, Isaac Bigelow, assessors; C. Fuller, collector; Samuel Silsbee, Elijah 
Drury, poor masters; James Lawrence, Barnabas Barnum, Elijah Drury, 
com. of highways; Eleazer Barnum, David Sayle, constables ; Jehiel 
Barnum, Gardner Dickinson, Jonathan Bower, John A. Buckland, 
Ebenezer R. Daggett, /ence viewers; David Doty, pound master; Joseph 

* As Harrison, changed to Ezkavillb, April 11, 1S08, and to MALo^FE, June 10, 1S12. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 479 

Plumb, Joel Griffin, Sairmel Silsbe com. of common schools ; Elisha Driiry, 
Asa Worth, John Marvin, Chester Tuller, inspectors of common schools. 

Supervisors.— 1818-17, Joseph Phimb; 1818-20, Noah Moody; 1821-5, 
J. Plumb; 1826-7, George Adams; 1828, J. Plumb; 1829-32, G. Adams; 
1833, William Plumb; 1834, G.Adams; 1836-7, James Adams; 1838, 
G. Adams; 1839, Joshua Dickinson; 1840-2, G. Adams; 1843-4, Tal- 
tnadge Barnum; 1845, J. Dickinson; 1846-8, Abel Wilcox; 1849-50 
Allen Hinman, Jun. ; 1851, George H. Stevens ; 1852, Joseph Eldred. 

Town bounties have been offered for "noxious animals" as follows: 

For wolves, $10 in 1828-9; $15 in 1813-14-15-21; $20 in 1816-17-18- 
19-20; in 1816, half this sum for wolf whelps; for tsquirrels 12h cents 
1817 . for panthers, $20 in 1817-18-19-20: $25 in 1821 ; for crows, 50 cts. 
1817-19; for bears, $3 in 1817-18-19; $5 in 1820; $10 in 1821 ; for black 
birds, 12^ cents in 1817; for foxes, $2 in 1818-19-20; $3 in 1816; $5 in 
1821 ; for wild cats, (lynx?) $2 in 1817-19; $3 in 1820; $5 in 1821. 

At a special town meeting May 6, 1820, voted that the vote for raising 
a bounty on wolves, panthers and bears, taken at the last annual meeting, 
be amended to this effect: "that no person shall be entitled to any bounty 
from the town except actual residents of the town at this date." 

A special town meetingNovember 21, convened for the purpose, passed 
a similar resolution. In 1826, voted in favor of building a county poor 
house, which was done, leaving a surplus poor fund with the several 
towns. To dispose of this a special town meeting was held December 

29, 1830. Voted to apply the poor funds of the town for the purpose of 
building a town house, and a vote was taken locating said house. March 

30, 1831, the vote locating the town house was reconsidered, and a com- 
mittee of three from three different towns, was named for the purpose of 
selecting a site. Alric Mann, James Duane and Barnabas Heath, were 
named such committee. In case any one of these should be unable to 
attend, the one or two who did attend iiad power to appoint one or two 
as the case might be, to fill the vacancy. Such persons might not be resi- 
dents of the town. The site was to be fixed by the first day of July next. 
Joseph Plumb, Joshua Dickinson and George Adams, were n'tminated as 
a town committee* who were to receive from the poor masters, thejfunda 
in their hands, and erect a town house on the site designated by the com- 
missioners. They were also empowered to collect material:;^, &c., on 
subscription for the above purpose. Silvester Langdon, was subsequent- 
ly appointed in place of Mr. Duane. The committee thus constituted, 
reported, — "That in their opinion the interests of the said town would be 
best served by locating the town house on the high land between the 
north and south roads. They accordingly located it on lot No. 16. This 
decision not giving satisfaction, a meeting was held May 5, 1832, the 
former vote was reconsidered, and it was voted to divide the public 
money remaining in the hands of the overseers of the poor, equally be- 
tween the north and south parts of the town. It was voted to appropriate 
the said money for the purpose of building two town houses to be located 
at the centre of the town from east to west, on the north aud south roads, 
unless it should be thought best to vary somewhat from these points. 
Talmadge Barnum, Alanson Green, Jesse Smith and William ^Plumb, 
were appointed a committee for erecting the north house, and Jas. Law- 
rence, John L. Riggs, Joseph Congerand Samuel Brighton, for the other. 
A committee was to be appointed to see that the several religious societies 
in town have the the use of these houses in proportion to the amount that 
each should pay. The foregoing votes were finally reconsidered, and the 
meeting adjourned. 



480 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

On the 7th of December, a meeting was again liekl, and all former 
votes annulled. The equal division of the public moneys was again 
voted, and the central location near the centre from east to west on the 
north and south roads, again adopted. James Adams, James Lawrence 
and Silvester Potter, were appointed a committee to erect the south house, 
and Jesse Plumb, David Doty and Ezra French, the other. The use of 
these houses was to be divided between the different religious societies in 
proportion to the amount subscribed by each towards the erection. Both 
were to be so far completed as to be valued at $1,200 each, within three 
years from date. 

Two public buildings were accordingly erected. That on the north 
road in 1834, and the other in 1835. The former is of wood, and the latter 
of stone, and was only completed in 1851. At tlieir town meeting in 
1850, the town voted that their meetings should in future be held altern- 
ately at the village on the south road, and at North Bangor corners. The 
supervisor was instructed to oppose the plan of removing the site or re- 
building the county buildings. The town has uniformly voted for the 
support of schools as much money as the law allows. 

Settlement in this town was commenced in the spring of 1806, by Ben- 
jamin Seeley, originally from Vermont, but who for several years lived 
in Moira. He located about 2h miles east of the centre of the town. 
A winter road existed across the town previous to this, which was 
passable only by sleighs, and no wheeled vehicle had been taken into or 
through the town till afterwards. The next settler was Joseph Plumb,* 
in June, 1806, then from Moira, but originally from Middlebury, Vt., who 
took up a farm two miles east of the centre of the town. In the fall, 
Jehiel and James Barnum, originally from Vermont, commenced im- 
provements, and moved on with their families the following winter. 
Chester Tuller, Robert Wilson, Joel Griffin, and many others, settled in 
1807 along the central road, and sevei'al families had settled in the south- 
ern part of the town before the St. Lawrence turnpike was opened. 
Among these were Gardner Dickinson, H. Conger, Jonathan Bowen, 
Levi Sylvester and Andrew Potter, and others, all of whom were from 
Franklin co., Vt. At the time when the town began to settle, tlie north half 
belonged to McCormick. William Cooper owned the S. E. quarter, and 
Asahel Bacon, the S. W. quarter. Mr. Bacon lived in New Haven, Ct., and 
his first agent was Joseph Plumb. The Cooper tract was divided 
among the heirs of that gentleman, and it was surveyed in 1815. N. 
Baker surveyed the north half of the town in the fall of 1806, and the 
south half was surveyed by Potter GofF, of De Kalb, in the fall of 1815. 
The first school was taught in 1808, by Samuel Russell. 

Religious Societies. — The first religious meetings are said to have been 
held by Rev. Alexander Proudfit, in 1808. A Congregational Church 
was formed in a barn of Mr. Southworth, near North Bangor, at an early- 
day. It consisted at first of 9 members. This society was incor poted 

• Mr. Plumb died in Bangor, in 1S39, at the age of 77. u 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 481 

February 9, 1833, with Joshua Dickinson, Jonathan H. Farr, D. Paine, F. 
Tilton and Henry Stevens, trustees. 

The Christian sect were organized bv Elder Uriah Smith and J. 
Spooner, in the fall of 1818, and was attended by a religioiis revival. 
EUler John Smith, was pastor of this church for many years. They have 
a church and hold meetings on alternate Sabbaths, 

Bellmont, 
Was erected from Chateaugay, embracing townships 8, 9, and 10, of 
the Old Military tract, March 25, 1833, the first town meeting being held 
at the school house of dis. No. 8. On the 23d of March, 1838, the souths 
ern tier of mile square lots of No. 7, were annexed. 

Supervisors .—1833-34, Roswell A. Weed ; 1835 Henry B. Hatch ; 1836, 
Jonathan H. Farr; 1837. Roswell A. Weed; 1838-39, John D. Mills, 
1840-41, George Winkley; 1842, Pliny C Daggett; 1843, Marcus Head- 
in"- • 1844-45, Wiiliam Weed; 1846-47, Abraham Reynolds; 1848-49, 
Wll'liam Weed; 1850, John D. Mills; 1851, Jonas G. Clark; i852; 
William Weed. 

The first survey of township No. 8, of the Old Military tract, was 
made in 1801, by Joseph Griffin. The town of Bellmont, derives its 
name from William Bell, one of the early proprietors of a portion of the 
town. Mr. Bell was engaged in mercantile business, and for several of 
the latter years of his life, was employed as a super cargo in the East 
India trade. While engaged in setding his lands, it was his custom to 
spend a portion of the summer months in Franklin county. Mr. James 
H. Titus, is the present owner of about one fifth part of Bellmont (No. 
8), adjoining Malone. The attention of this gentleman, is now person- 
ally devoted to the settlement and improvement of this section of the 
county, which previous to the completion of the present avenue to 
market, scarcely found encouragement for the investment of labor. At 
present, the settlement of Bellmont is limited mostly to the north part of 
the town, and to a road running from east to west, parallel with the line 
of the town. Several romantic and beautiful lakes occur here, and none 
that surpasses that of Chateaugay lake, near the line of Clinton county. 

There is a Presbyterian society of thirty to forty members in this town, 
which is a branch of the Malone church. 

An alleged murder occurred in Bellmont, Nov. 3, 1851. Mr. Justin 
Bell of Brasher, St. Lawrence county, had erected a shanty near Owls- 
head pond, about 8i miles from Malone village, and one or two into the 
woods, for a residence while hunting and fishing. He had been there 
on this occasion several days, and on tlie morning of the day on which 
the fatal occurrence happened, Mr. B. H. Man, o Westville, a surveyor 
who had been up beyond, to examine a piece of land, with others, left 
Bell and James Sherwin, at the shanty The lat er had arrived about 
11 o'clock, pardy intoxicated, and svMh a jug of liquor He is said to 
have threatened to take possession of the shanty and the liirs, and his 



482 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

swaggering uianner made Bell uneasy at being left alone in his com- 
pany, and he enquired of those who were leaving them, whether he 
would be safe in his company. Early on Monday morning, Sherwin 
came into the settlement with the statement, that he had accidentally 
shot Bell, while attempting to discharge his gun. Numbers immediately 
repaired to the premises, and a coroner's inquest was held. Discrepancies 
in the account given of the manner in which the alleged accident oc- 
curred, and the tact of some of the furs, the lamp, &c., being found at a 
considerable distance from the shanty, led to suspicion of crime, and 
Sherwin was arrested and committed for murder. The Franklin county 
jail being thought unsafe, should any attem[)t be made to rescue the 
prisoner , he was confined for some time in the jail of St. Lawrence 
county, and at the July term of the court of oyer and terminer, held at 
Malone, in 1852, he was tried. 

Augustus C. Hand, one of the justices of the supreme court presided, 
assisted by John Hutton, county judge, and Milton Heath, and fJlisha 
Hollister, justices of sessions. After a full and impartial trial, the jury, 
from the circumstances proved, after a deliberation of several hours, 
brought in a verdict of guilty. The prisoner received the verdict with 
Apparent indifference. He was sentenced to be hung, Sept. 10, but this 
was commuted to imprisonment for life. 

Bombay, 

Was organized from Fort Covington, March 30, 1833, by an act which 
took effect on the first of May following. The first town meeting was di- 
rected to be held at the school house near Bombay Corners. This town 
embraces the present Indian reservation of the St. Regis tribe, and 
township No. 1, ov Macomb, of Great tract number 1, of Macomb's pur- 
chase. The name of Bombay was derived from the commercial capi- 
tal in the East Indies, and given by Michael Hogan, [the founder of Ho- 
gansburgh, from its being the former home of his wife. Mr. Hogan 
died at Washington, D. C., on the 26th of March, 1833, at the age of 68. 
He had for several years held the office of consul general of the United 
States, at Valparaiso, in Chili, and was formerly a merchant in the city of 
New York. He was distinguished throughout various reverses of for- 
tune, by his enterprise, intelligence and probity, as well as by his hospi- 
table and liberal disposition, and the urbanity of his manners. 

Supervisors I— 18S3-M, Wilson Randall; 1835-37, Amherst K. Wil- 
liams; 1838-39, John S.Eldridge; 1840-1, Elias Bowker; 1842-43; Elvin 
K.Smith: 1844, Amasa Townsend; 1845, Elias Bowker; 1846-47; A. 
Townsend; 1848, Charles Russell; 1849-50, Jacob G. Reynolds; 1851, C. 
Russell; 1852; J. G. Reynolds. 

The first impi-ovements in the town, except at St. Regis village, were, it 
is said, begun by Gordon, the founder of St. Regis, who about 1762 
caused mills to be erected at what is now Hogansburgh, but which then 
bore the name of St. Regis mills. From this place he is said to have 
sent rafts to Montreal. The tradition of this affair is obscure and u u 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 483 

certain. A mill was burned about 1804, said to have been old. In De- 
cember, 1808, there were no mills there. Wiltiam Gray, the Indian in- 
terpreter, was living on the west bank during the early part of the war 
and for many years previous, and the place then bore the name of Gray's 
mills. From information derived from Joseph Lefonduze, a Frenchman, 
who has resided for many years at Hogansburgh, it is learned that 
Frenchmen, named Beron and Bouget, owned the first mills erected 
since 1808, who were succeeded by one Soufacon and Jean Baptiste 
Parissien,* who left in 1816. 

The first grist mill was erected for Michael Hogan, about 1818, on the 
east side of St. Regis river. He had previously purchased township 
number one, and mills were erected near the centre of the town, by 
Daniel W. Church, for him in 1811. The first settler in township num- 
ber one is said to have been Joseph Hadley, a hunter, about 1803. 
Samuel Sanborn, with a large family, settled about the year 1805. The 
settlements in town were very few and feeble, {)revious to 1822, when 
immigration commenced, and proceeded so rapidly, that the greater part 
of the town, not reserved by the Indians, was taken up within two or 
three years. Much of the valuable timber had been stolen by partie s 
from Canada, and by squatters, before it passed into the hands of actual 
settlers. The title of township number one, passed from Mr. Hogan to 
Robert Oliver, of Baltimore, and the estate has been subsequently di_ 
vided among his heirs, by commissioners chosen for the purpose. 

The village of Hogansburgh is accessible by steamers, and an Ameri- 
can boat that plies between Cornwall and Montreal, has touched here 
during the past season, but notwithstanding this advantage, joined with 
a good water power, the place does not appear to thrive. Among other 
causes, the difficulty of obtaining titles on the reservation, and the impos- 
sibility, from this cause, of bringing under improvement lands which are 
susceptible of a high cultivation, are the principal. The first road across 
the Indian lands, was from French mills to St. Regis, and in the treaty 
of 1818, the right of way for one to the present village was ceded, and 
soon after a road was opened nearly east and west through the reserva- 
tion. April 12, 1827, $1,000 was applied, and $1,000 subscribed, for im- 
proving this road, under the direction of James B. Spencer and Wm 
Hogan. A law was passed May 26, 1841, appointing Gurdon S. Mills 
and James Hall Jr., to repair, straighten and improve this road, and the 
sum of $4,000 was applied for this purpose. 

Religious Societies. — The Methodists organized a society in town March 

♦Owner at an early day of mills on Salmon river. Died at Isle au Perot, about 1833 
aged 77. 



484 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

26, 1832, with Joseph Elliot, James M. Roberts, Simon Alverson, John 
O'Riley and Wilson Randall, trustees. This society has a church at 
Bombay Coiners. 

The church of St. Patrick (in the Catholic Register named St. Mary's 
church), was incorporated Oct. 20, 1.834, with the Rt. Rev. John Dubois, 
bishoj>, N. Y. ; John Keesan and John Hammill, of Brasher. James Mur- 
phy, Davis O'Nail, of Bombay, Patrick Feely and Laiity Adams, of 
llojiansburgh, trustees. They have a stone church at Hogansburgh. 
Before its erection, there was no other Catholic church in the county, 
except at St. Regis. 

An p]pisco|)al church was commenced in 1837, a little east of the vil- 
lage, but was never finished. 

Brandon, 
Was erected Jan. 28, 1828, and made to include all that part of Ban- 
gor south of No. 5, in Great tract No. 1 of Macomb's purchase. The 
first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Elijah Pren- 
tiss. The poor moneys raised in Bangor in 1827, were to he divided 
according to the last assessment. At the first town meeting, the follow- 
ing officers were elected: 

Henry Ste[)hens, st<pemso?*; Jonathan H. Farr, clerk; Shubert Hast- 
ings, Elijah Prentiss, assessors; Jonathan Hastings, collector; Josiah 
Hastings, Isaac Joy, poor ?nas/ers; George Austin, Clark Adams, Rufus 
Whitney, com'rsq/" At£;-/iif?ff(/5; .Jonathan Hastings, Royal Whitman, con- 
stable; Andrew Stevens, Joseph Thomas, Thomas Wells, com'rs of com- 
mon schools ; James Wells, Ezekiel Hildreth, Calvin Farr, fence viewers ; 
Peter H. Higgings, Ira Ewings, Thomas Wells, Joseph Thomas, Peter 
Willson, overseers of highways. 

At the first meeting, $250 voted for the highways. At a special town 
meeting, held December 10, 1830, a vote was taken and carried, that the 
poor money should be applied to pay the resident taxes in the year 1830. A 
vote was also taken that the overseers of the poor should collect the poor 
money without delay, and pay it over to the collector of the said town 
of Brandon, and that the remainder of th^ poor money, after paying the 
resident taxes, is to apply towards paying the overseers of the poor for 
their services in the year 1830. This action was taken after the adoption 
of the poor house system, when the poor being otlierwise provided for, 
the towns were allowed to specify the object for which the poor fund 
that had previously accumulated could be applied. 

1850. Resolved unanimously, that the suj)ervisor be instructed to op- 
pose the removal of the court house from the present site. The hoard 
of supervisors was requested to cause the present buildings to be re- 
paired. The town has usually voted for the support of schools all the 
money which the law allows, and $250 annually for public highways. 

Supervisors. — 1828-31, Henry Stevens, Jr.; 1832-3, Jonathan H. Farr; 
1834, H. Stevens, Jr.;1835-6, J.H. Farr; 1837, Jason Baker; 1838, James 
H.Holland; 1839-40, H. Stevens, Jr.; 1841, J. H. Holland; 1842, Shu- 
bert Hastings; 1843-4, Heury Stevens; 1845-6, Alexander Sergeant; 
1847-8, J. H. Holland; 1849-50, J. Baker; 1851-2, J. H. Farr. 

This town derives its name from Brandon, Vt., from whence most of 
the first settlers emigrated. The settlement is at present mostly limited 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 485 

to the north third of No. 8. A few scattered settlers reside on the Port 
Kent road, in township No. 11. The town began to settle in 1820, and 
the following names, from the land book of Mr. Noah Moody, the agent, 
were- those of first settlers: Josiah Hastings, Aaron Conger, Wilson 
Spooner, Lather Taylor and John Thomas. 

In 1821, Andrew and Henry Stevens, Levi Conger, G. W. Taylor, 
Clark Adams, Daniel K. Davis, Jonathan H. Farr and Orrin Wellington ; 
in 1832, ten, and in 1823, eight families, moved into town. The first 
saw mill was built by Ira Ewens, in 1825-6. 

The following note is taken from the field notes of B. Wright, made 
on the survey of 1799: 

" The Indian line of navigation from lake Champlain to Hudson's river, 
Rackett river. Black river and lake Ontario, lies through this town (No. 
23, tract No. 1), by a path from Saranac lake to a small lake on a branch 
of the river Racket, and is much used by the various tribes of them." 

It is marked on the original maps, as the Indian Pass. 

Burke 

Was erected from Chateaugay, April 26, 1844, and comprises most of 
the western half of township No. 7 of the Old Military tract. It was 
proposed to name the town Birney, from the candidate of the liberty 
party for the presidency in that election ; but this was changed in the 
legislature. The supervisors of this town have been, 1844-7, Loren 
Burk; 1848-9, Reuben Pike; 1850-51, Winthrop Newton; 1852, Elisha 
Marks. In 1850, the supervisor was instructed to use his influence 
against the removal of the county buildings, or the building of new 
ones. 

In 1851, $500 was raised by authority of the legislature, for a town 
house, and one has been erected of wood, near the centre of the town, 
a mile northwest of the depot. 

The town was settled at about the same time as Chateaugay, of which 
it formed a part. Jehiel Barnum, Noah Lee and others, enumerated in 
our account of Chateaugay, were among the earlier settlers. There is 
at present no village in town. A post office, town house, Presbyterian 
and Baptist churches (all built in 1852), exist near the centre of the town, 
near a neighborhood known as Burke Corners, which may form the 
neucleus of a village. Near the point where Trout river is crossed by 
the rail road, is a starch factory and several minor establishments, which 
the facilities of transportation which they enjoy, may be the means of 
making a place of business. A depot building has been lately erected 
here. It is only a flag station. 



486 HISTORY OF ST. I-AWRENCE 

Chateaugat, 

Was formed from Champlain, embracing townships 5, 6, 7, 8, of the 
Old Military tract. On the erection of St, Lawrence county, Great tract 
No. 1, of Macomb's purchase, and the St. Regis reservation; and in form- 
ing Franklin county, Military townships 9 and 10 were annexed, and 5 
and 6 taken off. Tract No. 1 was taken off in 1805, in forming Harrison, 
and by the two acts erecting and extending Bellmont, and in the erec- 
tion of Burke, it has been reduced to its present limits. 

At the first town meeting in 1799, Lewis Ransom was elected super- 
visor and clerk ; Ralph Shepard, Jesse Ketchum, and Benj. Roberts, as- 
sessors; Amasa Farman, collector; Gilbert Raymond, L. Ransom, poor 
masters; Azeur Hawks, Geo. Piatt, Nathan Beeman, commissioners high- 
ways; Thomas Smith, Amasa Farman, conste6/es; Amasa Farman, Peleg 
Douglas, Ezekiel Hodges, Benj. Roberts, Jesse Ketchum, path masters. 
The town in 1800 gave 8G votes for senator. 

Supervisors. — 1799-1802, Lewis Ransom; 1803-5. William Bailey; 
1806-8, Gates Hoit; 1809-10, William Bailev; 1811,' James Ormesbee; 
1812, Lebeus Fairman; 18] 3-21, G. Hoit; 1822-3, George W. Douglas ; 
1824-5, Gideon Collins; 1826, Ira Smith; 1827-8, G. Collins; 1829-31, 
Jacob Smitli; 1832, John D. Miles; 1833-6, John Mitchei; 1837-8, Ezra 
Stiles; 1839, G. Collins; 1840-41, J. Mitchei; 1842, Henry B. Smith; 
1843, Daniel N.Huntington; 1844, G. Collins; 1845-9, H.B.Smith; 1850, 
Jonathan Hoit; 1851, H. B. Smith; 1852, Thomas Bennet. 

Bounties for noxious animals have been voted as follows: For pan- 
thers, $10 in 1815 ; $30 in 1818, '19, '20, '21. For wolves, $10 in 1807, '08,* 
'15; $15 in 1817, '18; $20 in 1819, '20, '26. For bears, $10 in 1818, '19, 
'20, '21. For foxes, $2 in 1817; $4 in 1818, '19; $5 in 1820, '21. For 
squirrels, $0-25 in 1817; $1 for every 12 in 1820, to residents of the town 
only. For wolvarines, $15 in 1819. For black birds, $0-25 in 1817. 
For crows, $0-50 in 1817, '18; $1 in 1820, '21. 

Feb. 12, 1821, at a special meeting " held upon application of twelve 
freeholders, to see if the inhabitants will agree to drop these bounties," 
it was decided by ballot that no proceeding should be had in the matter. 
At a subsequent special meeting they were discontinued. 

JVotesfrom the Records. — 1804, " If any man leave syrup so that it kill or 
injure cattle, he shall pay damage;" this vote again passed in 1806, '08. 
1805, if any person having any thistle or tory weed growing in any of 
their improved lands, or in the highway passing these lands, and by them 
occupied, shall by the 1st of July cut or destroy the same to prevent their 
going to seed, on a penalty of $5 for each neglect. 1810, $80 for a 
pound; $150 of the poor money to purchase a merino ram to belong to 
the town. At an extra meeting 1809, resolved to raise $3,500 by tax in 
t!u-ee years, for a court house and jail, after a law is passed authox-izing 
it. 1820, $25 voted to purchase a compass and chain for the use of the 
town. 

Townships 6 and 7 were surveyed in the summer of 1795 by Cochran 
& Ransom, assisted by Samuel and Nathan Beeman (father and son), 

* Expressly stipulated that bounties should not be paid for the unborn young. 



ANEl FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 487 

B6nj. Roberts, and others, and t?ie latter thus becoming acquainted with 
the quality of the land, resolved to purchase and settle here. The first 
improvement was begun by Benjamin Roberts, from Ferrisburgh, Vt., 
and Nathan Beeman,* from Plattsburgh, early in 179G. At this time the 
frontier settlement was in Beekmantown, six miles west of Plattsburgh. 

Having decided upon emigrating far beyond the limits of civilized life, 
Mr. Roberts left his home in February, 1796, with his family and goods, 
and arrived safely at Plattsburgh, v/here he left his family, and at- 
tempted to proceed with a portion of his goods to his destination. With 
the assistance of some of the land proprietors, and others, who felt on 
interest in the proposed settlement, they proceeded with a number of 
teams as far as was practicable (about eighteen miles), where they were 
compelled from the depth of the snows +o abandon the (mdertaking, and 
leaving their loading concealed in the woods with hemlock boughs, they 
returned to Plattsburgh. In March, Mr. Roberts, with I.evi Tr(nTibull, a 
young man whom he had hired, set out with an intention of making 
sugar, and there being a firm crust on the snow, they started with a hand 
sled for the place where their loading had been deposited, and taking a 
five-pail iron kettle, and an old fashioned Dutch iron pot, holding about 
ten gallons, some provisions, an axe, and tapping gouge, they proceeded 
witii these, drawing them on the sled by hand to Chateaugaj', a distance 
of about twenty-two miles, along a nari'ow path that had been partly cut 
through the fall before, in anticipation of a road. Mr. Roberts had al^o 
provided a hut the fall previous, which was not covered. They soon 
fitted up a quantity of bass wood troughs, and commenced making sugar. 
While occupying this camp, they were on one occasion visited by an 
Indian, who sold them a moose, the flesh of which they cut up and 
smoked over their fire, as they were making sugar. At the close of the 
sugar season they left their sugar, smoked meat, and kettles, in their 
camp, and returned to Plattsburgh. 

In the early part of April, Mr. R. again started with his family, con- 
sisting of a wife and four children, and several hired men. These were 
Levi Trumbull, Joshua Chamberlin, Kinkade Chamberlin, Ethan A. 
Roberts, Jared Munson. Their outfit consisted of a yoke of oxen, and 
a pair of steers, for leaders, attached to a sled containing a i'ew articles 
of indispensable use, but they had not proceeded more than a mile be- 
yond the house of a Mr. Belong, the last settler in Beekmantown, when 
one of the oxen gave out from fatigue. He was here unyoked and le.t to 
provide for himself, as the spring was just opening and vegetation had 
advanced enough to afford a scanty suj)ply of food; and Roberts pro- 
posed to his wife to return with lier young chiUlreu to the settlement, 
until another opportunity offered; but with heroic I'esolutiou she iu- 

* In his youth Mr. B. resided at Ticonderoga, and acted as Ihe guide to Allen and Arnold, in 
the surpiisal of that fortress, in March, 1773. Being but a lad, lie like oilier childiCn, was al- 
lowed the range of the premises, and was familiar with every nook and avenue. Under hii 
guidance Ethan Allen was roudueted to the chamber of the British commander, who was 
surprised and captured without resistance. In relating this occurrence, Mr. Beeman said, that 
Capt. Delaplace, after some conversation witli Mr. Allen, happening to see him in companjr 
with the provincials, enquired: ''What! are you here Nathan?" This que.-tion aroused a 
sense of conscious guilt and shame, for having betrayed the c: nfiJence reposed ia him, iu re. 
warding kindness with treachery. Mr. Beeman died in Chateaugay iii 18J0. 

30 



488 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Bisted upon sharing the hardships of the undertaking, and resolved to 
proceed. The hnsband, having placed in a rude bark saddle, such bur- 
den upon the odd ox as he was able conveniently to,carry, and suspended 
from the yoke of the steers a pack containing a few articles of first ne- 
cessity, he took upon his own back one of his boys, and led the way, 
driving his cattle before him, and followed by his wife, bearing an infant 
in herarms. His men and two older boys, then mere lads, bearing eacii 
such burdens as their strength pei-mitted, brought up the rear. What 
could not be taken was left, covered up on the sled. A part of their 
loading was a barrel of nun, which was left, excepting a copper teakettle 
full, which they took along; and this being exhausted to within a quart, 
the remainder was preserved for Mrs. Roberts. Wherever night over- 
took them, they encamped in such a place as they might happen to be. 
They were from Monday till Saturday, in performing the journey of 
about forty miles, and reached their sugar camp about noon on Satur- 
day, finding all safe. During this toilsome march, Mrs. Roberts was 
often compelled to pause and rest, and as they ascended the last hill, 
she enquired dispairingly how much further it was to the end of their 
journey. 

The remainder of the first day and the next was spent in covering 
their hut with barks, and they completed this labor just in time to save 
themselves from a drenching rain. A set of table furniture was made 
of wood, upon which to eat, consisting of trenches and forks. To supply 
the family with provisions, the odd ox was sent once a week to Platts- 
burgh, with Chamberlain as driver, and with the regularity of tiie mails, 
this animal performed his weekly trips, bearing on his back a supjdy of 
flour and pork, upon which they relied for support during the first sea- 
son. The party commenced a clearing on the south bank of Marble 
river, about half a mile north of the present village of Chateaugay, and 
during the summer of 1796, about forty acres were cut and partly cleared. 
A small patch of potatoes and turnips was got in, the seed of the former, 
being brought on the backs of Wm. Roberts and Nathan Beeman, from 
Cumberland Head. To economize weight, the seed ends and eyes of 
the potatoes, were only brought. Beeman from Plattsburgh, had been 
on several times during the summer, and having made arrangements for 
moving, brought on his family in the fall. Mrs. Roberts had been in the 
settlement three months, without seeing the face of any one of her sex, 
imtil the arival of Mrs. B. Within the first three years, John Allen, 
Samuel Haight, Lewis Ransom, Jacob Smith, Azur Hawks, Noah Lee, 
Gilbert Reynolds, Jesse Ketchum, Silas Pomeroy, David McMullen, 
Claudius Britton, Samuel Turner, Stephen Vaughan, Peleg Doug-las, 
David Mallory, Thomas Smith, Gate Hoit, Ezekiel Hodges, Samuel 
Stoten, Israel Thayer, Avery Stiles, and Moses Corban, and perhaps a 
few others, mostly men of families, and from Vermont, came into the 
town, selected and purchased lands, commenced small improvements, 
and made arrangements for making a permanent settlement. David 
Mallory, during the second year of the settlement, commenced the 
erection of the first grist mill, on Marble river, about a mile and a half 
north west of the present village of Chateaugay. A mortar was rigged 
up during the first season, by excavating a hole in the top of a stump, 
the pestle being suspended from a bough, in such a manner, that the 
force of the grinder was required only in bringing down the pestle. The 
principal milling, however, was done in Plattsburgh, and the trip re- 
quired generally a week. The first crop raised, was some seventy 
bushels of potatoes, and a quantity of turnips. The mill was built for 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 489 

Nathaniel Piatt, of Plattsburgh, who was somewhat interested in the 
titles of the town. The millwright was Elisha Howard, of Vermont. It 
was got in operation in the year it was begun. A saw mill was built by 
the same parties near the grist mill, and the same year. The first birth 
in town, is said to have been that of Alanson Roberts in 1796. The first 
school was taught about 1799. The settlement grew quite rapidly for 
several years, principally on the Fort Covington and the Malone roads, 
the former of which was opened as a winter road about the year 1798. 
These became the thoroughfares of emigrants from Vermont, on ttieir 
way to St, Lawrence and at the time of the war a thriving settlement 
existed, numbers here as elsewhere, returned to New England, on the 
approach of war, and of this number, some never returned. The first 
road was worked by subscription and voluntary labor, so as to be passa- 
ble in 1800. A turnpike company was incorporated April 8, 1805, to 
build a road from Plattsburgh to the Macomb purchase, and March 14, 
1806, the limitation was extended 3 years; and should 10 miles be built, 
the company might for 7 years collect double tolls. This company, it ia 
believed, did not organize. A law of April 9, 1811,directed the managers 
of the lottery for the purchase of the Botanic garden to raise $5,000 to 
improve the road to the county line. On the 8th of June, 1812, a law 
directed $5,000 to be paid out of the state treasury for the purpose. The 
preamble of this law, states that "the said county of Franklin forms a 
part of the northern frontier of this state, and the settlements therein are 
situated on the borders of a foreign territory, and at a great distance 
from the other settlement." The two counties wei'e to tax themselves 
$150 annually, to repay the $5,000, until it should be repaid by the 
lottery. A sum not exceeding $750, annually, might be raised by tax, 
during two years, for the finishing of the road. During the militaiy ope- 
rations of the war, and especially in 1813, when General Wade Hampton 
was passing with his army through, to form a junction with Wilkinson on 
the St. Lawrence, necessity compelling him to improve it, in order to 
maintain a communication with the lake. lu one of hislettei-s, he states, 
that he had made it a perfect turnpike. In 1815-16, a party of United 
States troops, under Captain William F. Haile, built twenty miles of 
road towards Franklin Co., but it was continued no further by the gene- 
ral government. In 1830, a law directed a tax of $2,000 in Malone and 
Chateaugay, to be expended by commissioners, on the road from Platts- 
burgh to Malone. The Chateaugay Turnpike Company was incorpora- 
ted April 21, 1828, to build a road from Malone Court House, by way of 
Chateaugay lake to Mooers, but was never organized. 

A forge was erected by Wm. Bailey about 1803-4, about three miles 
above Chateaugay, on the river, but never made but a few tons of iron. 
Ore was derived from swamps in the vicinity of Chateaugay lake, but 
this proved to be in limited quantities. Some ore was afterwards drawn 
from Constable and from Clinton Co., but the manufacture under the 
circu!nstances was found to be a losing operation and was after a trial of 
two or three years abandoned. A large paper mill was begun by 
the same person in the vicinity of the forge, but never completed. 

During the summer of 1812, the inhabitants for their own protection, 
and by voluntary labor and contributions, erected a block house on a 
commanding elevation on the bank of the Chateaugay river, three miles 
north west of the village. Upon the representation of Mr. Gate Hoit to 
Governor Tompkins, the sum of $100 was applied^ as a partial remu- 
neration for the expense of erection. During the war it was occupied 
a part of the time by the troops stationed in town, and towards the close 
of the war or soon after, it was privately burned as was supposed, by 



490 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Bome one from Canada. In 1812, a detachment of regular troops under 
Col's Wool and Snelling, were stationed a short time at Chateaiigay. Tliey 
were encamped near the north part of the town. Gen. Wade Hampden, 
with an army consisting mostly of new recruits from Vermont, and in- 
tended to cooperate in the unsuccessful enterprise of Gen. Wilkinson, 
against Montreal, marched from Plattsburgh as far as this town in Aug., 
and camped in the vicinity of Chateaugay Corners. In November he re- 
turned to Plattsbui-o;h. A quantity of jfiourwith a small guard for its pro- 
tection, was left. While he lay encamped near the Corners, small bodies 
of troops occupied positions nearer the province line, and one of tiiese 
came near having an engagement with the enemy. One of the sentinels 
was shot, and a small show of force was made which retreated, and it 
was believed that an ambuscade had been laid in hopes of decoying the 
party into it. On this occasion, they took one of the inhabitants (Salmon 
Smith,) a prisoner into Canada, but he soon escaped and returned. I or 
some years previous to the war, a settlement of New England people 
had existed in Canada near Chateaugay river, but on the occurrence of 
hostilities, they abandoned their improvements, and moved into the state. 
Few if any of these ever returned or received any compensation for the 
property left, which was subsequently sold by government to European 
emigrants. Soon after the arrival of General Wilkinson at French Mills, 
a regiment under Col. Bissell, which had formed a part of his force, pro- 
ceeded to Chateaugay, and remained during the winter. On the evacua- 
tion of French Mills, the greater part of Wilkinson's army passed 
through' on their way to Plattsburgh, and were soon after followed by a 
detachment of the enemy under Col. Scott, who pressed whatever teams 
they could find, and succeeded in finding and in carrying away a consid- 
erable amount of provisions which had been left by the American army. 
On returning, the British destroyed the bridges to hinder from pursuit. 
At the time of their incursion they proceeded as far as where the 
road crosses Marble river, towards Plattsburgh, and succeeded in inter- 
cepting an express which had been dispatched to convey information to 
the American forces at Plattsburgh. Upon finally receiving information, 
a detachment started and had proceeeded about a dozen miles, when they 
were met by the intelligence that the invaders had retreated. The enemy 
were joined at this place by a company of Indians undera white captain, 
who came up the Chateaugay river from Canada. Much complaint was 
made by the inhabitants about the seizure of private property by the en- 
emy, who were said to have been not over particular in selecting public 
from private stores. 

After this occurrence, no military operations occurred in town during 
the war. A portion of the citizens, in common with other parts of the 
county, was called out on the eve of the battle of Plattsburgh, to assist in 
the defense of that place, and proceeded under the command of General 
Alric Man, by a southern route near Chateaugay lake, to avoid being in- 
tercepted by the enemy. This detachment did not arrive till after the 
action. On approaching the village a firing of cannon was heard, and 
they hastened on to afford any aid they might be able, but ascertained 
that it was but the firing of minute guns at the burial of the dead. 

By an act of March 20, 1843, the sum of $500 per annum for three 
years, was applied towards the construction of a bridge over Chateaugay 
river, near Douglass's mills, out of the tolls collected on the military road 
from Plattsburgh. It was to be constructed under the joint direction of 
the military road commissioners in Franklin county, and the road com- 
missioners in Chateaugay. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 493 

Among the most successful achievements in the line of rail road en- 
gineering in the state, may be reckoned the high embankment and tunnel 
a short distance west of the station at Chateaugay. The surface of the 
country in the northern part of Franklin county, is in the main level, and 
finely adapted to agricultural purposes, but the Chateaugay, Salmon and 
other rivers in their descent to the St. Lawrence, have worn for them- 
selves deep and narrow valleys, which afford in numerous places, the 
most picturesque sceneiy, but which opposed an obstacle of great mag- 
nitude in the construction of the Northern rail road. To overcome that 
at Chateaugay, it was resolved to fill in the valley with earth, in order to 
bring it up level with the surface on each side. To ensure a channel for 
the river in such a manner that the embankment should not suffer from 
its encroachment, a tunnel 300 ft et long, was first made through the solid 
rock, which bordered the valley, and permanent walls erected to direct 
the stream through its new channel, and to retain the earth of the em- 
bankment in its place. This great undertaking was completed after 
nearly two years labor, at a cost of about $130,000. The tunnel was 
begun in August, 1848, and made in five mouths. The embankment is 
over 800 feet long, and its top 160 feet above the level of the river. It 
contains 500,000 cubic yards of earth. The tunnel is 25 feet wide, 22 
high. Retaining walls 50 feet high. This work was planned and exe- 
cuted under the direction of Col. Charles L.Schlatter, civil engineer. 

About a mile south of the Chateaugay tunnel, there occurs on this river 
a beautiful cascade, which from the singular wildness and sublimity of 
the surrounding scenery, is well worthy of the visit of those who take 
pleasure in studying the wild and picturesque. This locality affords 
much more of interest than many other places which annually draw their 
thousands, and if known and suitably appreciated, would not fail to draw 
its share of wonder-loving visitors, who would return amply compensated 
for their labor. This fall occurs in a ravine which the stream has worn 
through the Potsdam sandstone, to the depth of nearly 200 feet, and the 
principal fall is at the outlet of a narrow gorge, and has a vertical height 
of about 50 feet. 

About half a mile east of Chateaugay village, and but a few yards 
north of the rail road, occurs an intermittent spring, which is worthy of 
notice. This spring rises from two sources through the sand, and in 
such volume as, in ordinaiy seasons, to turn a water wheel for a mecha- 
nic shop. The water is remarkably clear and cold, is never known to 
freeze, and discharges bubbles of gas (said to be nitrogen), in consider- 
able quantities while running. There is no certain period of it§ intei'- 
mitting, nor does this appear to be affected by rains. Some times the 
period of its flowing will last for one or two years; but it is generally 
dry towards the close of summer. Once it failed in the month of Feb- 
ruary. It is said generally to stop quite abruptly, not occupying more 
than twenty-four hours from the time it begins to fail, till it is nearly or 
quite dry ; but on again starting, it will but slowly increase, and not attain 
its full flow before one or two weeks. It has been said that the return 
of the water is preceded by a low subteranean murmur, but there is a 
difference of opinion on this point among the inhabitants of the vicinity 
sufficient to render the fact doubtful, as it is in itself improbable. There 
is a smaller but constant spring less than a mile northeast of this, which 
discharges gas, but the nature of these gaseous emanations has not been 
ascertained. Springs of ample volume are common along the northern 
border of Franklin county, and in the towns of Chateaugay, Westville, 
and perhaps other towns, there are several of sufficient volume to turn a 



494 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

mill, but with the exceptions above stated, there are none known that 
intermit or discharge gas. This curious S|)ring in early time attracted 
the curiosity of the Indians, >vho called it Hu-nah-a-ta-ko-wah, " a big 
spring rushing out of the ground." 

Religious Societies. — In 1800 or 1801, one Huntingdon, a Presbyterian, 
held the first meetings in town, at the liouse of Judge Bailey, and about 
1802, Henry llyau, a M. E. circuit preacher, visited the town. In 1805, 
a class of about 6, was formed with Benj. Emmons for leader. In 1804, 
a revival occurred. The first Methodist ministry had, it is said, some 
forty appointments in four weeks, extending 300 miles. 'Ihe largest 
accession in any year, was 100, in 1843 or 4. 

A Congregational church was formed in 1816, by the Rev. Jas. John- 
son and A. Parmelee, in what is now Burke. Since the division of the 
town, there has been formed in Burke a separate church. The form 
was changed, April 4, 1842, to Presbyterian, and like the other churches 
of this order in the county, it belongs to the Champlain Presbytery. 
The church edifice at Chateaugay was begun in 1827, and dedicated 
July 4, 1842, sermon by Rev. Ashbel Parmelee. The clergymen have 
been Jacob Hart, Moses Parmelee, James Millar, Andrew M. Millar, 

Baxter and A. M. Millar, the present one, from whom most of the 

foregoing facts were received. 

A Baptist church was formed Feb. 12, 1817, by Elder Isaac Sawyer. 
Israel Thayer was chosen deacon, and George W. P. Beman, clerk. The 
Baptist house of worship was commenced in 1820, and dedicated iu 
1838. Tlie dedication sermon was preached by Elder Farr. The largest 
accession of their numbers occurred in 1830. The original nutnber at 
the formation of the church, was about eleven. The Rev. Mr. Sawyer 

was succeeded by Rev. Johnson, who remained but a few months; 

Rev. David Byington, who remained a year, and Rev. Ephraim Smith, 
who has been, with some short intervals, the only minister employed 
since 1820. The Rev. Jeremiah Dwyer, during the above period, has 
been employed one year. On the formation of the town of Burke, about 
two-thirds of the members found themselves in the new town, and soon 
organized a new society, which, in the fall of 1852, are erecting a brick 
church in that town. The Baptist church of Chateaugay is at present 
quite small. 

In 1835, there were classes of Protestant Methodists formed in town, 
and tlie numbers belonging to them were once somewhat numerous, but 
the church is now extinct. 

Constable 

Was formed from Harrison, March 13, 1807, embracing townships 1, 
2, 3, and the Indian reservation. The first town meeting was held at 
the house of Jacob Settles, at which Albon Man was chosen supervisor; 
Ezekiel Payne, clerk; Joseph Wright, John Cadwell, Seth Blancher, as- 
sessors; Anthony Sprague, co//edor ;Alric Man, Jonathan Hapgood, over- 
seers of poor; Alric Man, Aseph Perry, Alexander McMillen, comers of 
highways; Anthony Sprague, Isaac Fairchild, A. McMillen, constables; 
John Smith, Seth Blancher, Amos F.\Av\ge, fence vieivers ; Jno. Hapgood, 
JDavid Danforth, Albon Man, pound keepers ; John Livingston, Wm. Perry, 
Seth Blancher, David McMillen, Christopher Austin, overseers of high- 
ways. 

Supervisors.— 1807-10, Alhon Man; 1811, Alric Man; 1812-13, Albon 
Man; 1814-23, Alric Man; 1824-5, Lewis Dubois; 1826, Guy Meigs; 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES.. 495 

1827, Ebenezer Man; 1828-31, Sylvester Langdon; 1832, J. G. Dickey; 
1833 Sylvester La.igdoti; 1834-5, J. G. D'-^^key; 18367 Ha.Ty Horton; 
1838, Sylvester Langdon; 1839, Augustus Martin ; ISf-l, Geoi^e W. 
Darling; 1842 3, Putnam W. Sumner; 1844-5, Sidney W. Gillett; 1846-7, 
J. G. Dickey; 1848, Washington Wooster; 1849, Lucian Wyman; 1850-1, 
Wm. Daggett; 1852, Joseph Hastings. 

JVotes from the Becorrfs.— Bounties on wolves, $5, in 1807; $10 in 1808 
to '14, 1817-28; $15 in 1821; $20 in 1830. On foxes, $1 in 1819-20; $3 
in 1821, with half this price for young foxes that had not left the bur- 
row. On panthers, $20 in 1820. In 1812, voted in favor of making 
three towns of townships 1, 2 and 3. In 1814, $50 approiu-iated for 
burying the dead of the U. S. troops. 50 cts. penalty for geese running 
at large In 1816, the question of diving the town again came up. In 
1830 for abolishing the distinction between town and county poor. In 
1846 on license election, 00, no license, 82. An act of April 21, 1846, 
required a tax of $250, for the erection or purchase of a town house, 
whenever the electoi's should direct. ■ 

TfiUiam Constable, from whom this town is named, was a son of John 
Constable, a surgeon in the English army, during the French and Eng- 
lish war, who in 1762, took a commission in the 1st regiment ot the 
province of New York. He had but two sons, William and James. 
The former was born in Dublin, in 1761. A sister named Eweretta, 
married James Phyn, of Scotland, and another, Harriet, Thomas Pierce, 
of Bristol, England. James, was a bachelor, and died at New York, m 
1807 Wm. Constable was married in Philadelphia, to Ann, daughter 
of Townsend Wliite. Their children were Anna, Eweretta, William, 
John, Harriet, Emily and Matilda, all of which names occur among tha 
names originally given the townships of the Great purchase. Of the 
daughters; the first married H; B. Pierrepont; the second James Mc- 
Vickar; the the third, James Duane; the fourth. Dr. Samuel W. Moore, 
of New York; and the fifth, Edward McVickar. Wm. Constable be- 
came a leading director of the Bank of New York, and a merchant on 
an extensive scale, and sent one of the first ships from this country to 
China for trade, with Wm. Bell, as supercargo. During thefiftee,n years 
previous to his death, which occurred in May, 1803, Mr. Constable was 
Actively and extensively engaged in land sales, and had great mfiuence 
with the other persons concerned in these operations. 

The first settlement in town was made on the south line of the town, 
by Jonathan Hapgood and Christopher Austin, from Milton, Vt., in 1800. 
These were related and formed but one family. They come as far as 
Chateaugay in March, and in June proceeded to the place they had se- 
lected for a settlement. William Cooper, of Salem, N. Y., Solomon 
Cook, and Ebenezer Titus, from Rutland county, Vt., Saul Clark, James 
Welch, Artemas and Thomas Smith, Peleg Austin, James Lyman, Wil- 
liam Buell, and others had settled in town, in the year 1805, or previous. 
The first saw mill was erected by James Welch, in 1803. He settled a 
short distance south of the present village of Constable Corners. Ihe 
first grist mill in town, was built soon after the war, by Joseph Colburn, 
of Vermont The first school was taught in the summer ot 180b, by 
Miss A. Mead, in a barn owned by J. Hapgood. At Constable Corners 
schools were not established earlier than 1811, when the first school 
was taught by one Blodget. The first physician who settled in town 
was Dr. Solomon Wyman. During the prevalence of the cholera, in 



496 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

183?, a considerable number of cases occurred in town, some of which 
were fatal. 

Relis;ioiis Societies. — A Conjrregntional society Avas formed Maj', 25, 
1817, witli Solomon VVyman, Samuel R. Nims, Alric Man, Oliver Bell, 
and Jolin Cliild, trustees. A cliurcli was formed 4»y Rev. J. Armstrong 
in 18"22, who remained six years. His successors have been .lacob Hart, 

Biiller, Tertius Reynolds, John L. Edgerton, Aaron Foster and 

Benjamin Marvin, none of whom have been installed the pastors. In 
J847 its form was changed to Presbyterian. The society about 1844 
erected a commodious chmch at an expense of $2500, of which Edward 
Ellice, the land owner, gave $400. 

A Baptist cliurch was formed May 4. 1833, of thirty one members. 
A Free Will Ba[)tist church was formed in 31alone and Constable, by 
Elder Samuel Hart, Moores Cole, a licentiate, in 1841. Pastors, Eldei* 
Samuel Hart, VV. Warner, G. W. Town. Present number 20. 

Dickinson, 

Wa^ formed April 11, 1808, (to take effect April 1, 1809,) from Harri- 
son, enibracing Nos. 4, 5, 6, and all south. It has been reduced by the 
formation of Bangor and Moira, to its present limits. The first town 
meeting was held at the hf)use of Appleton Foote. The name of the 
town is said to have been derived from a gentleman in New Jersey. At 
the time of formation, the entire settlement was in what is now Moira 
and Bangor, The first set of town officers were Samuel Pease, super- 
visor; Apollos Lathrop, dej-k; Rufus Tilden, Chester Tuller, Elisha 
Drury, assessors; R. Tilden, collector; Appleton Foote, and Joseph 
J'\un\h, poor viasters ; Samuel Foster, John Potter, Robert Wilson, comVs 
highivays; R. 'Jilden, Edward Chapman, constables. 

Svpervisors.—l^Q9,S.Vense; 1810-12, Joseph Plumb; 1813-22; Jona- 
than Lawrence; 1833, Jason Pierce; 1824, .1. Lawrence; 1825-28, J. 
Pierce; 1829-32, Loderick Butterfield; 1833-34, Erastus Hutchins; 1845, 
Reuben Cady; 18:]6-41, E. Hutchins; 1842-43, W^airen Ives; 1844-45, 
Peter Whitney; 1846-52, W. Ives. Bounties on animals have been 
voted as follows: For wolves, $10, 1809-10-12-17-18-19-20-28. $15 in 
1811-12-J3-2L $20 in 1815. For panthers, $10 in 1820. $15 in 1817. 
$20 in 1821. $25 in 1818. For foxes $2 in 1816 to 21. For bears, 
$3 in 1820; $5 in 1819-21. For catamoimts, $2u in 1819. For crows, 
37i cents in 1816. For squirrels, 12^ cents in 1817. For chi|)mncks, 
Vih cents in 1816, 1809, resolved, that all license money drawn from the 
town of Ezraville, and all that shall be due June 1, be appropriatrd for 
the use of the best kind of sheep. At a special meeting Nov. 10 1821, 
the bounties on animals withdrawn. In 1821 the poor moneys on hand 
amoimted to $063.95 In 1830, opposed the poor house system. Dec. 
10, 1830, voted to apply the |)oor moneys for schools. The town has 
usually voted for schools as much money as the law allows. 

The earliest settlers in the {)resent limits of Dickinson, is said to have 
been William Thomas, who located a short distance south of where the 
St. Lawrence tm-npike was afterwards located. He had first settled in 
Hofikinton, and after a short residence here, returned to that town. 
Jonathan and Jesse D. Rice, from New Hampshire, settled at an early 
day. Reuben Cady and others had located in town previous to 1812.- 
Most of the first settlement was limited to the St. Lawrence turnpike, 
which passes o!)liqiieIy across the northern border of the town, and soon 
alter its completion became a thorougbfare of great importance, espe- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. . 497 

cially in the military movements of the years 1813, '14. The Port Kent 
and Mopkinton road began to be settled soon after its construction, but 
the ini prove n^.ents alonji^ this route were scattered and limited. The i)re- 
sent settlement of the town is limited to the central and western jiortions 
of Annastown, or township number seven. With the exception of three 
or four families on the Northwest Bay road, and a very small settlement 
at the head of Tupper's lake, near the southern extremity of the town, 
its whole extent is an unbroken wilderness.- The facilities to market 
which the rail-road furnishes, has given new value to the titnber of this 
region, in common with other portions of the northern counties, and has 
created several lumbering establishments in the depths of the forest, 
which will hereafter form the centres of settlements for farming pur- 
po:^es. 

About midway between the Port Kent road on the south and the St. 
Lawrence tmnpike on the north, and near the centre of number seven, 
is situated on Deer river a small village named Thomasville. It owes its 
origin and name to John Thomas, a former resident of Hopkinton, who 
in the latter part of the summer of 1839 commenced the erection of mills, 
and remained about a year. Deer river at this point affords a fine water 
power, which has been irnproved by the erection of two saw niills and a 
grist mill. The hamlet contains several mechanic shops, two stores, and 
a small cluster of dwellings. 

A most melancholy accident occurred in Dickinson, on the 3d of Sept., 
J852, in which the dvvplling of Mr. Eseck Hawkins was burned, and his 
wife, and a son six years of age, perished in the flames. Most of the 
family lodged in the chamber, except the parents, who on discovering 
the house to be on fire, made vigorous efforts to rescue their children 
froiTi the devouring element, and in this Mrs. H. perished. The father 
rushed into the room where his children were sleeping, a!ul»succeeded in 
rescuing all but one, which he found it beyond his power to save. The 
charre.l remains of the mother and son were collected, and interred in 
the same coffin. The funeral was attended by thousands of sympathiz- 
ing fi'iendd and citizens, and the melancholy disaster spread a gloojn over 
the surrounding community. 

Religious Societies. — The Christian sect was organized in 1816, '17, by 
Eld. Spooner, and was for many years the only church in town. It 
prospered for some years, but has now become almost extinct. The 
whole number received was eighty. A Free Will Baptist church was 
formed in 1836. The clergy have been Chas. Bowles, John Kimble, and 
others ; at present Eld. A. P. Walcott. 

DUAKE, 

Was formed from Malone, Jan. 24, 1828, and in the erection of Har- 
rietstown reduced to its i)r(;sent limits. It was named from James Duane, 
Esq., from Schenectady, who having acquired, by marriage with a daugh- 
ter of W. Constable, the title of a considerable portion of the town, in 
1821-2 caused the tract to be surveyed; in 1823-4 commenced improve- 
ments and erected a dwelling, and in 1825 removed with his family and 
made a permanent settlement. He was then nearly ten miles beyond 
neighbors, antl tiie most remote settler in the forest. A considerable 
number located soon after, and the iron manufacture gave life and spirit 
to the settlements. A forge was erected in 1828, for tiie manufacture of 
iron from ore which had been discovered the year previous, but which 
fi'om the disturbance of the needle in surveying, had been supposed since 



498 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

1822 to exist. The ore wrought at this forge was the steel ore, so called, 
which occurred in its vicinity, the veins or beds running southeast and 
northwest in the direction of tlie strata of gneiss of the vicinity. The 
forge was carried oft' in a great freshet: afterwards rebuilt, burnt, and 
ngain rebuilt, to be a second time injured in a freshet. These misfor- 
tunes, together with the great expense of transportation, put an end to 
the enterprise after a few years. During the time that the forge was in 
operation, it made from a hundred to a hundred and twenty-five tons of 
iron annually. In 1838, a quarter fitrnace vvas erected by the Dnane 
brothers, on Deer river, in the west part of No. 12, and was intended to 
be used for the reduction of primitive ores exclusively. The cold air 
blast was at first used, but afterwards the apparatus for heating the air 
was inserted. Immense difficulty was experienced in procuring iron, as 
the ores were very difficult to reduce, and many trials were found neces- 
sary to arrive at an economical method of fluxing and separating them. 
The business was continued seven or eight years, during which fibout 
six hundred tons of iron were made, a great part of which was made 
into castings on the premises. The difficulty of smelting, together with 
the great expense attending the manufacture in a situation several miles 
distant from the district that was to afford support to the laborers, and 
especially the prohibitory expenses of transportation to market, resulted 
in the loss of many thousand dollars to the enterprising projectors, and 
the works were discontinued in 1849. The stack of this furnace, and 
all the arrangements connected widi it, were admirably constructed, and 
will compare favorably with any of the class in the state. This furnace 
is located on the Port Kent and Hopkinton road, fifty-seven miles from 
Lake Champlain. Deer river post office was established here for the 
accommodation of that section of the town, but discontinued in 1841. 

For manufacturing steel direcdy from the mixed primitive and specu- 
lar ores of Duane, a company was chartered by an act passed May 20, 
1841, under the name of the Franklin Native Steel Manufacturing Com- 
pany. James C. Duane, Samuel W. Jones, Frederick A. Dnane, Robert 
Duane, Benjamin M. Duane, and such as might join them, were to form 
the company. Capital $50,000 ; shares $100 each, with power to increase 
their capital to $150,000. This company was never formed. 

The first saw mill in Duane was erected by the proprietor in 1823, on 
the west branch of Salmon river. In 1828, a grist mill was built on the 
same. The only religious society in Duane is the Methodist. 

There was formerly a small Presbyterian society, but this has been 
broken up by death and removal of its .members. The Episcopal ser- 
vice was performed statedly in town, by the Rev. Mr. Hart, from Malone, 
during several months in 1828. A building for religious meetings and 
public purposes, was erected by Mr. Duane in 1828. The greater part 
of township No. 12 was surveyed by John Frost, in 1821-2. 

James Duane has been the supervisor of this town, except 1848, when 
Ezekiel Ladd was elected. The latter had been chosen in 1840, but at 
the election which followed the division of the town soon after, he was 
superseded. 

Fort Covington, 

Was erected from Constable Feb. 28, 1817, and in the formation of 
Bombay, reduced to its present limits. Its name is derived from Brig. 
Gen. Leonard Covington, who was born in Maryland, Oct. 26, 1768, of 
respectable ancestry, and at an early age evinced a strong inclination to 
the profession of arms. He served under Wayne in the Indian wars at 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



499 



the west, and in 1809, was commissioned lieutenant colonel in the regi- 
ment of dragoons, was stationed in Louisiana, and became a resident of 
Natchez. In 1813, he joined the northern army, and in July was made 
brigadier general. At Chrysler's field he was wounded by a musket 
ball through his bowels, while at the head of his troops, of which he died 
on board a boat, on the way to French Mills, where he was buried with 
military honors. Several years after, his remains, with those of Col, 
Johnson and Lieut. Eaton, were taken to Sackett's Harbor. 

It was at first pro|)osed to name the town Covington, but this was an- 
ticipated by a new town in Genesee county. The first town officers 
were: Sebius Fairman, sttpemso?-; Amos Welch, cZerA:; Isaac Fairchild, 
David Danforth, assessors; Isaac Fairchild, collector; Daniel W. Church, 
Wareham Hastings, Luther Danforth, commissioners ofhighivays ; Ambrose 
Cushman, Luther Danforth, overseers of the poor; Sebius Fairman, Seth 
Blanchard, Isaac Fairchild, commissioners of common schools; Jonathan 
Wallace, John M. Rodgers, Ezekiel Payne, inspectors of schools; Isaac 
Fairchild, Wm. VVhelpley, constables; Seth Blanchard, Luther Danforth, 
David McMillin, fe7ice vieivers; Ardus M. Hitchcock, David McMillin, B. 
D. Hitchcock, pound masters. 

sSitpervjsors.— 1817-18, Sebius Fairman; 1819, Isaac Fairchild; 1820-2, 
S. Fairman; 1823, George B. R. Gove ; 1824-5, Wm. Hogau; 1826-7, 
G. B. R. Gove; 1828-30, W. Hogan; 1830, James B. Spencer, to fill 
vacancy; 1831, no record; 1832, Wilson Randall; 1833, G. B. R. Gove; 
1834, Uriah D. Meeker; 1835, Henry Longly; 1836-7, Tilness Briggs; 
1838, James Campbell; 1839, G. B. R. Gove; 1840, Jonathan Wallace; 
1811-2, Sidney Briggs; 1843, J.Campbell; 1844-5, S. Briggs; 1846-7, 
Warren L. Manning; 1848, Schuyler Button; 1849, W. L. Mannmg; 
1850, Stephen V. R. Tuthill; 1851, J. Wallace; 1852, Preserved Ware. 

Bounties have been offered for the destruction of noxious animals as 
follows: For wolves, $5 in 1829; $10 in 1817-18-19; $20 in 1821. 
For panthers, $10 in 1817-18-19; $20 in 1821. For foxes, $1 in 1820-1. 
For crows, 25 cents in 1817-18. For striped s(|uirrels and black birds, 
3 cents in 1817; for black birds, 6 cents in 1818. In 1817, voted $250, 
on condition that Constable will raise as much, to build a poor house. 
This was not done. In 1819, a town house was built by subscription, 
and finished in 1820. For one year it was used as an academy, and 
since as a district pchool house. 

Much relating to ^Vench titles, &c., is excluded for want of space. 
In 1793, the chiefs of St. Regis leased to Wm. Gray, a tract on Salmon 
river for $200 annual rent, after the first four years. An inducement 
with the chiefs was, the promise of the erection of mills. Feb. 6, 1796, 
Gray and one Thomas Araquente, another chief, entered into terms of 
assignment, by which the latter gained the saw mill, then of no great 
value, but no regular papers were signed till Dec. 15, 1798, when the 
chiefs in full council, confirmed the conveyance. James Robertson, of 
Montreal, Dec. 29, 1798, bought this lease for $2,400 to T. A., and the 
amiuity of $200 to the St. Regis tribe, without a warranty on the part of 
Araquente, of the lands on both sides of Salmon river, from its source to 
a line to be drawn at a distance of half a mile from the mill. The mill 
and one mile square was, however, conveyed by warranty. Mr. Robert- 
son and his brother Alexander, who had a joint and equal interest with 
him, continued to occupy until the death of J.R., when Neil and Patrick 
Robertson became entitled to equal moieties of his share. In 1804, 
(Sept. 11,) after spending $2,209 in the erection of a grist mill, it was 



500 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

swept off in a iloofl. $4,762 was soon after spent in rebuilding the 
mill, but before it was completed Alexander Robertson died, leaving 
Francis Desriviere, Esq., tutor and guardian of liis n)inor children, by 
wlioui and the above Neil and Patrick Robertson, the mill was furnished 
and leased to Robert Huchanan, the person who built them. P. R. died 
in J808 or '9, and N. R. in 1812, and a lengthy memorial in tho archives 
of state, dated Jan. 30, 1818, from which the above facts are drawn, as- 
serts that since the above deaths Mr. Buchanan, with others who had 
obtained leases within the mile square, had disclaimed the title of the 
Robertsons and refused to pay rent. This title was long a subject of 
litigation, and was not finally settled until after the treaty of 1818 and 
the award of the commissioners. 

With the exception of a few French families who lived and worked 
around the saw mill, there was no settlement for agricultural purposes 
until about 1800. About this year or soon after, Samuel Fletcher, Aaron 
McLean, and Ambrose Cushman, located in No. 2, and John Hunsden 
David Lynch, Robert,* Walter and Duncan Buchanan, (natives of Ster- 
lingsbire, Scotland,) settled near the mills. At the raising of the grist 
mill in 1804, help was invited from great distances in Canada, and the 
state, and when the frame was up it is said that the question arose which 
was the " smartest," to decide which the Glengarians and Yankees re- 
solved to fight it out in a good natured way, and the result was that the 
former got severely whipped, and were obliged to own up beaten. The 
lands in the present village of Fort Covington (formerly French mills), 
on the east side of the river, within the mile square, weve leased in such 
parcels and at such rates as he ujight be able to bargain for, by William 
Hawkins, who had acquired an irregular title, which was disclaimed by 
the state, and those who had paid for these lands were obliged to re- 
purchase. In 1803, John Hunsden, an Irishman, having become a clerk 
to the Indians, induced them to cause a iiart of their tract near the mile 
square, to be surveyed out into farms, which were conveyed by durable 
leases, cleared up and improved. The terms were three years without 
rent, and $10 for every 100 acres annually afterwards. Upon the treaties 
of 1816 and '18, these settlers petitioned for their rights, and the surveyor 
general (Simeon De Witt), and two men appointed by the governor, 
(James S. Kip, of Utica, and Dr. Isaac Sargent, of Cambridge,) were' 
directed to appraise the lands with and without the improvenients. In 
their unpublished report which is before us, it is stated that the leases 
had been executed by virtue of powers supposed to be granted in the 
Jaw of 1802, (see p. 154,) and the history of the titles is detailed at 
length. They reserved for a fort in case of war, 50 acres on the east 
side of Salmon river, and 14h on the west side. They very strongly re- 
commended an appropriation for roads in this section. To those who 
had made improvements on Indian leases, A preemption was allowed, or 
if they declined purchasing the land they still might have a lien upon 
the improvements from those who bought the soil. Special provision 
was made for certain lots, and Hunsden was allowed $1,200 for services 
rendered. The legal heirs of the first Robertsons were entitled to the 
preemption of a certain lot on condition of $120 being withheld for R. 
Buchanan. The appraisement and award of the commissioners will be 
found in the secretary's office at Albany. [Field book, vol. 35, p. 252.) 

Most of The settlers availed themselves of the preemption and pur- 
chased at the laud office in Albany their farms. Those who chose to 
hold their improvements did so, notwithstanding the soil was sold to 

Robert Bachanan died in town, October 31, 1829, aged 60. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. > 501 

others, until paid for. A portion of the lands were reappraised and have 
since been sold. The mile square was subsequently surveyed by the 
surveyor general into house lots and out lots, and sold bv the state, except- 
ing the two military reserves, which are rented for an indefinite period, 
and liable to revert whenever wanted for this purpose. Two or three 
proposals to fortify at this point have been made, and engineers have 
been on to examine the sites, but nothing has been done in this line and 
nothing is at present contemplated. 

Upon surveying the tract granted in the treaty of 1818, there was foimd 
an excess of 307 acres, and a provision was inserted in the act of April 
13, 1819, by which the governor was instructed to procure a release of 
the same and to stipulate an addition to their annuity at the same rates 
as for the purchase last made, or to pay them at once the present worth 
of the same. 

On the declaration of war a block house was built in the villas of 
French Mills, but never entirely finished, and during the first summer a 
drafted company of militia under Capt. Rufus Tilden, of Moria, posted as a 
protection to the frontier, and a guard to the provisions stored here for 
distribution among the St. Regis Indians. Moses Eggleston of Chateau- 
gay, was lieutenant, and A^den Wood, ensign, and it consisted of about 
40 men. During the summer two Troy volunteer companies under 
Capt. Higby and Lyon, and a drafted company of militia from Columbia 
county, under Capt. Miller, the whole under Major Young of Troy were 
stationed here. 

Shortly after the affair at St. Regis, the Troy and Columbia companies 
at French Mills, were withdrawn (Nov. 1812), and the Franklin county 
company again left alone. A British detachment of regulars, militia and 
Indians, made a descent from St. Regis through the woods, upon the post 
at French Mills. Capt. Tilden surrendered without resistence ; the arms 
were broken and left, the ammunition thrown into the river, and men 
marched prisoners to St. Regis, and thence to Montreal. In Dec., they 
were exchanged for the same company which they had captured in Oct. 
Immediately after this two Columbia county companies under Major 
Tanner, Capt's Winslow and Gardner, were detached from Colonel Vos- 
burg's regiment stationed at Chateaugay, which staid till March follow- 
ing. They were then withdrawn, and "their place supplied by a volun- 
teer company from Franklin county, raised and commanded by Captain 
David Irving, of Constable, who continued to hold the post until the ar- 
rival of Gen. Wilkinson, in November, 1813. Capt. Irving's company 
subsequently participated in the movements of Gen. Ham|)ton, below 
Chateauga3^ A fiirther account of these operations will be given. 

On the 13th of November, 1813, General Wilkinson, with his army 
ascended the river in a flotilla of boats, and took up his quarters in the' 
village, where he remained till February. The details of this event will 
be given in connection with our account of the war. While the Ameri- 
can army Avere in winter quarters at French Mills, a citizen of New York 
was apprehended, suspected of having put up at the camp the following 
placard, addressed 
^'■To the American Army at Salmon River -.^^ 

"Notice. — All American soldiers who are willing to quit the wnnc/uroZ 
war ill which they are at present engaged, will receive at the British out- 
posts, the arrears due them by the American government, to the extent of 
five months pay. No man shall be required to serve against his own 
country." After numerous inquiries the author has been unable to as- 
certain from those who were in the service at the time, any particulars in 
relation to the above occurrence. The army had scarcely left the village 



502 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

than they were followed by the enemy, who remainerl a week, scouring 
the country to gather up whatever of public property they might be able 
to find, and pilfering such private property as uie soldiers could conceal 
from their officers. 

In not a single excursion it is said, did the enemy return with his full 
number, as great numbers deserted the ranks and left singly and in small 
parties, whenever opportunity offered. These mostly hastened into the 
interior of the country, going chiefly to Plattsburgh, Utica, &c. The 
frightful mortality of the troops here will be detailed in our future pages. 

Soon after the war, an act was passed by congress, allowing magis- 
trates to take affidavits of certificates of damages to private property 
during that period, which were to be audited and paid at Washington. 
A series of frauds was attempted, and to some degree successfully carried 
on, principally at French Mills, although instances occurred in St. Law- 
rence county, in which exhorbitant, fictitious and altered accounts were 
presented. In other instances, fair and honest accounts, were first certi- 
fied by magistrates, and subsequently forged copies with the items 
changed, and greatly magnified, were sent to the department for audit 
and payment. The suspicions of a citizen of French Mills being excited, 
information was conveyed to government, and an agent was sent to de- 
tect and bring to punishment the offenders. This person acquired the 
confidence of the delinquents, and having become acquainted with the ne- 
cessary details of their operations, promptly reported them to the civil 
authorities, who caused several of the party to be arrested. By a singular 
omission in the law there was no provision made for punishing these 
frauds, and several escaped from this cause. It is supposed that they 
were aware of this fact before eng.iging in them. The ring leader was 
sent to folate's prison, and the others fled. Great numbers having just and 
honest claims, were cut off from their rights by these frauds. 

The first and hitherto the only legal execution that has occurred in 
Franklin county, was that of Stephen Videto, in public at Malone, on the 
26th of August, 1825, for the murder of Fanny Mosely, in this town, on 
the 2d of February previous. The circumstanc* s were briefly as follows : 
The murderer was a young man a member of his father's family, who 
had formerly resided in Canada, and had there been slightly acquainted 
with his victim. He had lived in Fort Covington several years, on a small 
farm, and was previously remarkable for nothing but an excessively pe- 
nurious disposition, which he possessed in common with his family. 
The victim was a person of superior enterprise, and having acquired a 
small sum of money by her industry, had been married in Canada to a 
reckless villain, who had abandoned her at J^'ort Covington, taking with 
him every thing valuable which she possessed. Being thus thrown deso- 
late upon the charities of the world, she became a member of the Videto 
family, with whom she had been somewhat acquainted. For some time 
previous to the murder, some degree of criminal intimacy had been sus- 
pected, but the mortal dread of encountering the expense of a family, 
should they marry, and no alternative existing, is supposed to have led to 
the resolution of destroying her. To furnish a pretext for providing the 
means, and for carrying into execution this plan, he feigned to be in fear 
of his own life from the Indians, with some of whom he had quarrelled, 
and reported that he repeatedly saw them lurking around the premises, 
armed. He also became disturbed by the rats, and to destroy these pur- 
chased arsenic several days before the murder. He also borrowed a pistol 
and two muskets, for self defence, and one or two days before gave the 
alarm that Indians were lying in wait around the house, whom he affected 
to pursue. On the fatal night, notwithstanding his leai-s, he allowed a 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 503 

fellow lodger and a brother to go abroad, and neglected to fasten the doors 
and windows. He remained in the same room with the deceased, and 
was keeping watch in the night with his fire arms loaded, in readiness to 
repel any attack, while the woman was sleeping on her bed. Two dis- 
charges were heard in quick succession, accompanied by a crash of the 
window, and he rushed out of the house giving an alarm, and after run- 
ning to some distance, returned with the statement that the Indians had 
broken in the window, shot the woman and fled. She was not instantly 
killed, and he pioduced some wine or other cordial for her to take. Upon 
subsequent examination it was noticed that there were no tracks in the 
snow to any distance; that the window had been broken outwards; that 
the position of the body had been such that it could not have been shot 
in the place it was, from without; that the scorched appearance of the 
clothing was such that the discharge must have been very near; and that 
the wine contained arsenic, a fact sworn to with the greatest directness 
by a medical witness. Unfortunately for his scheme he admitted that 
there had been no annoyance from rats; no one but himself had seen or 
been troubled about the Indians, and his own plans had not indicated 
in his own mind a belief of danger from that source. Moreover, he afp- 
peared indifferent about pursuit, and his manner and the facts were con- 
sidered as warranting an arrest. He was tried at Malone, in Jtdy, 1825, 
before Judge Reuben H. Walworth, and the foregoing facts being ad- 
duced, he was judged guilty by the jury, after a consuUation of fifteeen 
minutes, and he was sentenced to be htmg. Videto was hung in a field 
half a mile east of Malone, August 26, 1825. He continued till the last 
moment to assert his innocence, and on the gallows caused to be read a 
paper containing the following statement: "With regard to the crime for 
which I this day suffer, I have only to remark that I am perfectly inno- 
cent. By whose hand the unfcnlunate Fanny Mosely was deprived of 
life, I do not know ; but I say it was not by mine, neither was I accessory 
to it; neither was I aware of the approach of that unha[)py event; but at 
the time, was fearful of designs upon my own life." He declared his in- 
tention of holding the paper in his right hand when he died, if innocent. 
When the drop fell the paper was in his left hand, but the knotbeing im- 
properly fixed, he was not strangled immediately, and after hanging some 
moments, he seized the paper in his right hand, and waved it to the 
crowd. This had its natural effect upon many of the spectators, but ad- 
ditional testimony which did not appear in the trial, renders the fi\ct of 
his guilt certain in the minds of most of the citizens. The act of changing 
the paper can only be explained by supposing that consciousness re- 
mained after the drop fell, which he improved by consummating a resolu- 
tion which had doubtless been for a long time uppermost in his mind. 
Many years afterwards, a vague report came back from the death 
bed of the criminal's mother, that she had confessed being privy 
to, or had assisted in the murder, but this report was so indefinite that 
it did not serve to change the belief of those who knew most of the cir- 
cumstances, as to the guilt of the son. Indeed, it has much probability. 
During the summer of 1832, some 8 or 10 died of cholera, and in 1847, 
the ship fever took off about 20. The commissioners of the land olfice, 
were, by an act passed April 1, 1841, directed to issue letters patent to 
Mary Gray, alias Lupin, and to her heirs and assigns, for a certain piece 
of land designated and known as the north middle subdivision of farm 
lot number six, of the St. Regis reservation, in the town of Fort Coving- 
ton. This was in consideration of rights, supposed to be possessed by 
long residence in the place which she was said to have made her home 
from 1792, or about that period. She died a few years siijce. 



504 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

This town, in July, 1849, suffered severely from running fires, which on 
the 20th, menaced the village, and nothing but a change of wind saved it 
from a general conflagration. The work of destruction in the adjoining 
towns of Bombay and Westviile, was extensive and alarming, and in the 
former of these towns, not less than twenty dwellings and as many barns 
were said to have been burned. Such was the general I'eeling of inse- 
curity, tiiata|)|)lications for insurance multiplied beyond precedent, which 
led several insurance companies, including both of those located in St. 
Lawrence county, to insert a condition in their policies that they would 
not be responsil)le for damages done by running fires. This jjrovision 
was subse(]uently abolished. 

The village of Fort Covington is handsomely laid out east of Salmon 
river, half a mile from the boundary, and steamers liom the St. Law- 
rence come up to within a short distance. The boundary of Jay's treaty 
of 1795, was designed to run upon the parallel of 45° north latitude. A 
glade through the forest was cut and cleared, and monutnents erected. 
In 1818, upon tlie line being run after the treaty of Ghent, the true line 
was found to be north of the former, at Fort Covington, aljout 600 feet. 
By the Webster treaty of August 9, 1842, the former line was agreed 
upon, and permanent iron monuments erected by the side of each road or 
navigable stream at the place of crossing, and in tlie forest at intervals of 
a mile. These are of cedar cased with cast iron^ about four feet high, square 
at the base, and gradually tapering upwards. On the four sides are cast 
the following inscriptions: 

"Albert Smith, U. S. Commissioner." "Treaty of Washington." 
"Lt. Col. J. B. B. Estcourt, H. B. M. Commissioner." "Boundary, 
August 9tu, 1842." 

The commissioners appointed to survey the houndary of 1818, were 
Gov. Van Ness and Gen. Peter B. Torter, who commenced at St. Kegis. 

A Library society was incorporated at French mills under a general 
act in February, 1815, under the title of the French Mills Miscellaneous 
Library, with .lames (Jamptiell, David Jones, Ezekiel Pu^ue, Wm. W. 
Herrick, Wareham Hastings, Luther Danlbrth, Joseph Spencer, trustees. 
The seal was to be the eagle, with the words E Fluribus unum, in- 
scribed. 

Religious Societies. — The First Presbyterian ^church arose from an 
.Associate Reformed Scotch church, which belonged to the Synod of 
New York, and was organized mainly through the efforts of a Scotch- 
man, who was usually known as Father Brunion. About 1821, Mr. B. 
left, and the organization in a measure went down, but two or three 
years after, the society was visited by the Rev. Alexander Proudfit, of 
Salem, N. Y., by whom it was revived, and under his influence, the 
Rev. Mr. Weller was engaged one year. The Rev. John A. Savage was 
employed during five years, as a stated supply, but was not installed. 
While Mr. Savage was here, the church left tlie Associate Presbytery 
of Washington Co., (Dec, 1828,) and joined the Champlain Presbytery, 
which is of the 1 Constitutional Presbyterian, or New School order. 
Alter Mr. Brunion had left, a small Congregational society of about 15 
members, mostly females, had been organized by Samuel Crosby, which 
were united by Mr. Savage, with tfie other church. 

The Rev's Mr. Nickol, Jas. George, L. Tuller, Jas. E. Quaw, E. E. 

Well:;, Wdliams, Joseph A. Rosseel, David C. Lyon, and Charles 

Gillette, have been successively employed at different times, but the 
latter is the only one who has been installed. The church edifice was 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 505 

built in 1828, at a cost of $4,000, and in 1845, a bell, weighing about 
. 7501bs, was procured by the society. The pews are private property, 
and regularly deeded like a farm. Whole number since present organ- 
ization 501. Present number on record, about 308. Present number 
residing near and belonging to church, 208. 

A Baptist society was organized in 1824, at first by 9 members. The 
Rev. Natiianiel Culver, was its first minister. He has been succeeded by 

Hiram Sanford, Dodge, Wm. H. Rice, J. B. Drummond, L. H. 

Humphrey and J. IM. Webb, the present clergyman. A church was 
built west of Big Salmon river, in 1829, as a cost of $1,000, which in 
1851-2 was repaii'ed and thoroughly finished at an additional expense of 
$1,700. 

Fort Covington Wesleyan chapel was incorporated April 4, 1836, 
Humphrey Russell, Luther Danforth, Warren S. Manning, trustees. 

St, Mary's church, (Catholic), was incorporated, March 8, 1840, Wm. 
Lahy, Patrick Holden and Michael Collins, trustees. 

Franklin, 

Was formed from Bellmont, May 20, 1836, and made to embrace 
about half of township number 9, and the whole of number 10, of the Old 
Military tract. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the 
house of Henry B Hatch. 

Supervisors.— 18S6-8, Harry B, Hatch; 1839-40, Norman Stickney; 
1841, William Knowles ; 1842, John R, Merrill ; 1843-4, Harry B. Hatch ; 
1845, John R. Merrill; 1846, Noiman Stickney: 1847-50, John R, 
Merrill ; 1851, Hugh Martin ; 1852, James B, Dickinson, 

The earliest settlement within the limits of the town of Franklin, was 
begun by the erection of a forge and saw mill by McLenathan and 
Wells, from Jay, Essex Co., about the year 1827, at the settlement now 
known as Franklin Falls, but which then bore the name of McLenathan 
Falls. Difficulties attended these works which were finally suspended, 
and the place had mostly gone down, until the year 1846, when Fitz 
Geralds and McLean, from the village of New Sweden, town of Ausable, 
Essex Co., erected a saw mill for extensive lumbering purposes. One 
half of their right was sold to Keese & Tomlinson, of Keeseville, in 1847. 
In February 1848, Peter Comstock, of Port Kent, acquired an interest in 
the place. At about the time of the first settlement, at McLenathan 
Falls, a forge was erected by Uriah Sumner, on township number nine, 
of the old military tract. This enterprise was also abandoned. These 
two forges, were supplied by magnetic ore found in the town, which are 
said to be abundant. This town adjoins an extensive and valuable iron 
region in Essex county, which has em[)loyed a large amount of capital 
and given promise of future pre-eminence in this department of the use- 
ful arts. Besides magnetic ores, bog ore is said to occur in swamps, and 
may be found hereafter of much importance, when workedin connection 
with other ores, to improve the quality of the iron. The settled parts of 
Franklin are mosdy along the Port Kent und Hopkiuton road, and in 
the southern part of township number ten. The town is less broken 
than the country to the east and north, and will doubtless hereafter be 
found a good grazing district. The lumbering interests of the town give 
a market for domestic products, at present, but the natural outlet of the 
country to markets is down the valleys of the Saranac and Ausable rivers, 
to lake Champlain. A plank road with but four miles of interruption, 
connects Keeseville and Franklin Falls. 
31 . 



506 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

k 

A most destructive conflagration occurred at the Jumberingr village of 
Franklin Falls, on the Saranac, on tlie 29th of May, 1852. For several 
days previous, afire had been running in the neighboring woods, and on 
the day of the catastrophe, the wind was blowing almost a hurricane, 
and scattering the fire in every direction, so that all attempts to control 
it became unavailing. On approaching the villcige, which was situated 
in a ravine, it burst from the woods upon the settlement with such force, 
that every building in the place except two small ones was consumed. 
These were an extensive lumbering mill, together with twenty-three 
dwelling houses, a large store, a tavern, ane much lumber and valuable 
property, belonging to the owners of the mill. Nearly all the furniture 
in the houses was consumed, and some of the inhabitants escaped with 
their lives only with great difficulty. The principal suflferers were P. 
Comstock, J, B. Dickinson and Keese & Tomlinson, who were owners 
of most of the property destroyed. The extent and severity of this con- 
flagration has never before been equalled in our counties, but the appa- 
rently hopeless ruin brought upon this place by its entire destruction, has 
not served to arrest, although it may have checked the enterprise of its 
spirited proprietors. A gang mill with a yankee * was commenced 
soon after, on a larger scale tlian before, and the village, phoenix-like, is 
rising from its ashes. 

Harrietstown, 

Was erected from Duane, March 19, 1841, and consists of townships 
Nos. 21, 24, 27, of Great tract No. 1, of Macomb's purchase. The first 
town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Micah E. Flanders. 
The circumstances which led to its formation are said to have been these: 
For several years the inhabitants of No. 21 had complained of the hard- 
ship of beitig under the necessity of taking a journey of thirty or iorty 
miles around, to attend town meetings, and many had been accustomed 
to neglect them from the great labor and expense of time requisite. In 
1840, however, by a concerted movement, they got a majority in town 
me.eting, and had it adjourned to their own part of the town. The inha- 
bitants in the north immediately originated a movement, which was 
forthwith consummated, by which the town of Duane was divided, and 
Harrietstown erected; and a provision inserted for a new town meeting 
in each town for the election of town officers. 

Supervisors.— i84:} -4, Pliny Miller; 1845, Alanson B, Neal; 1846-50, 
P.Miller; 1851, A. B. Neal. ' 

The town of Harrietstown began to be settled before the year 1812, 
by inhabitants of the adjoining counties, who located upon the northwest 
bay road. The town is named after the original or proprietary name of 
township No. 21. The latter received its name from a daughter of Wm. 
Constable, the wife of James Duane, Esq., of Duane. 

The principal settlement is at present in the north part of township 
No. 21. Several lumbering establishments are erected and in contem- 

* This term is applied to a number of saws placed in the same frame with a gang: of saw?, 
80 that they will cut a log to the proper width while the gang- of saws is making another into 
boards of marketable thickness. Tlie two logs are placed side by side on the same carriage. 
'A hotel on an extensive scale is in progress by Mr. Dickinson, and the place will probalily 
before long regain hs former size and prosperity. The Ausable river plank road, which 
terminates at this place, is destined to do much towards promoting its growth. The name of 
Franklin Falls was given to the village and selllement on the establishment of a post office, on 
the2lstof January, 1851. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 507 

plation in this town. The market for this section of the county is entirely 
down into Essex county and lake Champlain. There is at })resent no 
road leading directly from the settlement to Malone, without going 
through a corner of the town of St. Aririand, in Essex county. There 
are at present three school districts in town. 

Township No. 21 is very elevated, and its waters flow into the St. 
Lawrence, by way of the St. Regis, into lake Champlain, and into the 
Raquette. 

Malone, 

Was erected, as Harrison, from Chateaugay, March 2, 1805, and at 
first included the whole of tract No. 1, and the Indian reservation. The 
first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Jonathan 
Hapgood. In the formation of Constable, Dickinson and Duane, it was 
reduced to its present limits, that of townships Nos. 6 and 9, of tract No. 
1. The former of these was owned by Richard Harrison, and survej'ed 
by Joseph Beman, in 1801-2-3, assisted by Enos Wood. Its first agent 
was Judge Bailey. No. 9 was owned by Constable, Hammond and 3Ic 
Cormick. The south third owned by the latter, passed by way of Mr. 
Pitcairn, to A. O. Brodie, and is now mostly owned by James H. Titus, 
of N. Y. The middle third passed by deed to the estate of John Titus, 
N. Prime and Wm. Wallace, prior to 1830. Aprfl 11, 1808, the name of 
Harrison was changed to Ezraviile (from Ezra L'Hommedieu), and on 
the 10th of June, 1812, the original name of Malone was restored. 

The records commence in 1808, when N. Blanchard was supervisor; 
John H. Russell, clerk; Hiram Horton, Harry S. House and Thos. Silen- 
cer, assessors; H. Blanchard, collector; Cone Andrus, Oliver Brewster, 
poor masters; Samuel Pease, Jehiel Berry, Wm. Mason, corn'rs highways ; 
H. Blanchard, Joel Griffin and Apollos Lathrop, constables; Solomon 
Plumb, Stephen Holley, J. Barnum, D. Whipple and J. Lawrence, /ence 
viewers. 

Supemsors.— 1808, Nathaniel Blanchard; 1809, Asa Wheeler; 1810-11, 
Hiram Horton; 1812, George F. Harrison; 181B-15, Harry S. House; 
1816-17, Abel Willson; 1818-35, Asa Hascall; 1836, Martin L. Parlin; 
1837, Asa Hascall; 1838-9, Jonathan Stearns; 1840-2, Asa Hascall; 
1843-5, Hiram Horton, 2d; 1846-52, Wm. Andrus. 

Bounties have been offered as follows: for wolves, $10, in 1808 to '13; 
$15, in 1816-17; $20, in 1818 to '21. For panthers, $10, in 1811-12-13; 
$20, in 1818 to '21 . At a special meeting in 1821, called for the purpose 
of reducing the bounties; no action was taken ; but in November of that 
year, they were rescinded. In 1845, voted against annexing a part of 
St. Lawrence to Franklin county, and in favor of petitioning for an ap- 
propriation for Clinton prison. 

Settlements were begun in 1802, by Enos, Nathan and John Wood, 
from St. Albans, the town having been visited one or two years previ- 
ous by the former. Nowell Conger, Luther Winslow, Jehiel Berry, Noah 
Moody, Roswell Wilcox, David and Lyman Sperry, and many others, 
came in 1803, or before. The emigrants of 1804 to '8, were quite nu- 
merous, and almost entirely from Vermont. The first child born in 
town, was a daughter of Luther Winslow, who was named Malo7ie, after 
the township. N. and J. Wood, in 1804, built a saw mill, and J. Wood 
soon after began a grist mill, but the dam was carried off in a flood, and 
nothing was done towards rebuilding, till 1809, when Hiram Hoiton 
purchased the privilege, and erected a grist mill soon after. From the 



508 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

be^iniiitiir, the citizens designed to establish an academy among them, 
and in 180(!, they erected a building on a site given by Mr. Harrison, and 
still occupied, for the purpose. This building still stands, and has been 
used for a school house, meeting house, court house, jail and academy. 
An arsen^d was built a little east of the village, in 1812. During the war, 
a volunteer company, consisting mostly of revolutionary soldiers, and 
styled Silver Greys, was formed under David Erwin. Their age exempt- 
ed them from duty, but their inclinations led them to it. On the capture 
of Tilden's company, at French Mills, they started for that place, but 
did not arrive till after the surrender. A detachment of the army ot 
Gen. Wilkinson occupied the village during the early part of the winter 
of 1813-14, but left in February. Very soon after, the enemy, hearing 
from spies, that a large amount of provisions was stored in the village, 
sent a detachment of about 1,200 regulars and 400 Canadian militia, 
under Col. Scott, who arrived towards evening on Saturday, February 
19, 1814, posted sentinels on all the roads leading from the village, to 
intercept teams, and proceeded to search for stores. These were in a 
barn half a mile south of the village, and a considerable amount had 
been distributed among the inhabitants for concealment. On their first 
arrival, a considerable amount of firing occurred, yjrincipally to arrest 
teams which were attempting to escape. On Sunday morning, several 
of the Indians and militia commenced demolishing the arsenal, which 
had been left without arms, by the Americans, on leaving the place. 
The windows and gratings were torn out, and it was fired, but Colonel 
Scott, upon the earnest appeals of some of the more influelitial of the 
citizens, who represented the barbarity of this wanton destruction, is- 
sued orders for its preservation, and posted a guard around it for pro- 
tection. He then convened some of the inhabitants, and gave them the 
building for educational purposes. For this act of lenity, he is said to 
have been censured by his government. A part of Sunday was spent 
in ransacking the town, and forwarding the stores they had seized, using 
the teams they had pressed for this purpose, and at noon they started on 
their return, by way of Chateaugay, losing great numbers by disertion. 
Private property, except arms, was generally respected. Col. Scott is 
said to have nearly lost his life from a drunken Indian, who reeled up 
to him, cursed him for not allowing them to plunder, and aimed his 
loaded gun for firing; but he was instantly seized rudely bound on his 
back to a train, and taken off. An amusing case of smuggling occurred 
on this occasion. Jehiel Barnum, a revolutionary gun smith, living in 
Bangor, had been pressed with others, and sent off with a load of stores, 
and in charge of two soldiers, for French Mills. His team was young 
and restive, and gave him much trouble in keeping them from interfering 
with the sleighs before him, to avoid which, he got permission to turn 
off on a by-road, which he said would take them out right, and after 
going several miles, he drove up to Ms own door. His passengers here 
first discovered their dilemma, and he without difiiculty persuaded them 
to remain, while the cargo was found very convenient in supporting the 
family. 

In 1813, there were in town three saw mills, a grain mill, fulling and 
carding mills, and two bark mills. 

The poor house of Franklin county was erected soon after the general 
law directing their establishment, on a farm of 110 acres, at a cost of 
f 1.200. It has since been burnt and rebuilt. 1825, the large stone 
factory represented in our view of the rail road bridge, was built by 
John Stearns, and for a time gave employment to nearly a hundred 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 509 

operatives. It4ias been for some time discontinued. This extensive 
building stands in the deep ravine of Salmon river in the middle of the 
village, its ui)per story being on a leve] with the street. The Franklin 
Manufacturing company, was incorporated May 25, 1836, with a capital 
of $200,000, in shares af $250 each, for manufacturing cotton and 
woolen goods, but it was never organized. 

A literary society was organized Oct. 2, 1840, for the purpose of pro- 
curing for the perusal of its members, periodical books, &c., and to es- 
tablish lectures. It maintained an existence two or three years. 

By an act of April 19, 1850, the commissary general was authorized 
to sell the several arsenals in certain counties, and Jan. 27, 1851, it 
was enacted, that when the arsenal and lot in the village of Malone 
should be sold, the proceeds, after deducting $200, should be applied to 
the improvement of a certain piece of ground, belonging to the state, 
situated in the village known as the Arsenal green and parade ground. 
Tlie treasurer was directed to pay on the warrant of the comptroller, to 
Guy Meigs, Samuel C. Wead, and Hugh Magill, the above sum to be 
expended for these improvements. The grounds were to be graded, 
fenced, planted with trees, and laid out into walks, so far as might be 
without injuring the premises for purposes of militai-y parades. These 
grounds were never to be sold for private purposes, without an act of 
the legislature. An appropriation was also made for inclosing and im- 
proving the grounds around the Academy in the western side of the vil- 
lage. Accordingly the Arsenal green, has been neatly and tastefully en- 
closed, and a row of shade trees planted around its border. This 
beautiful park, is crossed by the Northern rail road, which here required a 
deep cutting, but the two sides have been united by a foot bridge, 
and the premises are little marred by this work. There is scarcely a 
village in the state that can boast of two more elegant public parks than 
Malone, when this, and the grounds now in process of grading and en- 
closure around the Academy, shall have been completed, and the shade 
trees with which they are to planted, shall have attained a respectable 
growth. The public grounds in cities have been apdy compared to the 
lungs of the populace, and nothing can be more pleasant and healthful 
than an hour spent at the close of a sultry summer's day, in the refresh- 
ing coolness of a grove. 

Thfere is scarcely an inland town in the state, that will compare with 
Malone, in the thrift and improvement which it has exhibited since the 
completion of the rail road. Situated in the midst of a rich and rapidly 
improving agricultural district; enjoying^ample facilities for manufactur- 
ing purposes; and the healthful moral influence of an excellent acade- 
my, in connection with the cheerful prospect which the southern and 
unsettled portions of the county exhibit for improvement, the business 
of which will very naturally centre here, all contribute to promote its 
growth and wealth. Prominent among the sources of its prosperity, is 
an extensive quarry of Potsdam sandstone, about a mile south of the 
village, which is being wrought on an extensive scale, and has already 
acquired a reputation and created a demand in many of our eastern 
cities, and in the western states. This stone occurs in a strata of very 
uniform thickness, and is raised with bars and wedges, marked with a 
chisel of any desirable size or shape, and broken with a remarkably even 
fracture. The great symmetry of size which can be obtained, the free- 
dom from pyrites or other minerals that would stain or effloresce, by ex- 
posure; the extreme durability, as evinced by the sharp outlines of masses 
that have been exposed to the elements for thousands of years, and a 



510 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

delicate tinge of color which it presents, are combined in this material, 
and gives it a value which is seldom equalled. The quarries in I'otsdam 
and other towns lurnisli stone equally valuable. The Malone quarry is 
owned by Mr. T. P. Chandler. 

Malone has at present churches of the Presbyterian, Baptist, Episco- 
pal, Uuiversalist, Methodist, and Catholic denominations. Several of 
these are finely located, especially the Presbyterian church, which fronts 
upon the public square, and forms a prominent object in the village. 

Two destructive fires, which occurred with a short interval, in the fall 
of 1852, led the citizens to see the necessity of an organization as a vil- 
lage, in order to raise by tax the means of providing against these ca- 
Limities, and for the construction of internal improvements. Two fire 
engines were ordered, and the incorporation of the village is expected to 
be soon accomplished. 

The valley of Salmon river presented an obstacle to the construction 
of the rail road, which was overcome by the erection of the elegant and 
substantial bridge, represented on the opposite page. It is built on the 
Burr plan with improvements; has a span of 150 feet and an elevation of 
82 feet above the water. It has across it a double track, which here 
possesses a slight curve. The abutments contain 3000 cubic yards of 
masonry, and are 52 feet high, laid in good lime, mortar, and are very 
solid and permanent. To the passenger that crosses this viaduct in the 
cars, there is scaicely an opportunity of judging the merits of the work, 
or forming an adequate conception of its beauty, which can only be 
fully realized from the banks of the river below, where like the bow 
of promise, it is seen spanning the heavens far above the turmoil of the 
angry river. This highly creditable and successful work, was planned 
and executed under the direction of Charles L. Schlatter, the engineer 
of the i-oad. 

The settlement of township No. 9, was began in 1831, under the 
agency of the late Henry B. Titus, who then erected a grist and saw mill, 
and a scythe factory, at the great falls of Salmon river. It was the wish 
of the proprietor, James H. Titus, that this settlement should be called 
Glenwood, but it has lately received the name of Titusboro. After a few 
years, the investment proving ruinous from the want of an accessible 
marketjthese operations were discontinued, and have only been resumed 
since the completion of the rail road. The proprietor is now making a 
systematic eiFortto settle this tract, and an extensive gang mill has been 
erected by Meigs & Wead, of Malone, who have improved the Salmon 
river from near Wolf pond, to their mills for floating logs. Of the origi- 
nal immigration, a few remain, but the most had abandoned their loca- 
tions. A large saw mill is about being erected atthe outlet of Branch 
pond, a beautiful and romantic water. On lot No. 58, of the middle 
third, near Brandon, white limestone occurs, and is found to make ex- 
cellent lime. This indispensable article is rather rare among the primary 
rocks of this county. The limestone from this town, has been exam- 
ined chemically by Dr. Chilton, of New York, and found to contain but 
two per cent of impurities. 

Religious Societies. — In 1806 or 7, the first Congregational church was 
formed by Ebenezer Hibbard and Amos Pettingill, missionaries, who 
were also instrumental in organizing several other churches, in this and 
St. Lawrence counties. In October 1809, the Rev. Ashbel Parmalee,* 

* Few clergymen in this seclion o, the state, have seen more of the rise and progress of 
our religious societies than Mr Parmelee. He was a native of StocI<bridge, Mass., but aj 
an early age removed with his parents to Rutland county, Vt., where he prepared for the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 513 

was employed; and on the 18th of February, 1810, he was installed the 
first pastor. This was the first ordination that occurred in the county, 
and took place in the upper room of the old Academy. The Rev. 
Messrs. Lemuel Hayues, of Rutland, Vt., Chauncey Cook, a missionary, 
Martin Powell, of Mooers, and Simeon Parmelee, of Westford, were 
present. About thirty members at first formed the church, but its pre- 
sent number is between four and five hundred, which is said to be 
greater than that of any other church of this sect in northern New 
York. 

In 1826-8 a church was erected* and on the 7th of February 1828, it 
was dedicated. It cost about $1000. A new and elegant edifice was 
• erected in 1851, and dedicated in February 1852. It is of brick andcost 
about $10,000. The Rev. Mr. Parmelee was succeeded, after a course 
of pastoral labors of thirty-six years, by the Rev. Elias Woodruff, the 
present clergyman. In the early part of the year 1816, a religious re- 
vival of unparalleled extent, occurred in Malone, in common with other 
places, which resulted in the addition of eighty or a hundred members 
to this church, among whom were thirty or forty parents of families. 
The years 1827 and 1831, were also noted as periods of unusual re- 
ligious excitement. First Congregational church and society of Malone, 
was incorporated Jan. 8, 1828, with Jonathan Stearns, Asa Hascall and 
Harry S. House, trustees. St. Mark's church (Episcopal), was formed 
by Rev. Anson Hard, July 12, 1831. No clergyman employed till July 
1833, when the Rev. A. Bloomer was engaged. His successors have 
been Rev. Amos Pardee, Alex' H. Call, Caleb Bingham, Henry Attwater, 
Wm. Long, Jubal Hodges, and A. C. Treadway. The present church 
edifice was erected in 1843. A Univei'salist society was formed not long 
after the war, but had for many years been lost, when Dec, 27, 1845, it 
was formed, which now numbers 78 members. It was formed through 
the efforts of Rev. E. A. Holbrook, who remained six years. A church 
was built at a cost of $2,300 in 1846. The present pastor is the Rev. G. 
Swan. 

MoiRA, 

Was formed with its present bounds from Dickinson, April 15, 1828. 
The whole of the poor moneys of Dickinson were given to Moira, as 
most of the settlement was in the new town. 

Supervisors. — 1828-30, Jason Pierce, 1831-2, Sidney Lawrence, 1833-6, 
J. Pierce ; 1837, Orrin Lawrence ; 1838, J. Pierce ; 1839-40, S. Lawrence ; 
1841-3, O. Lawrence; 1844-8, Samuel Manning; 1849, Horace Dickin- 
son; 1850-1, Darius W. Lawrence; 1852, Simon D. Stevens. 

1830, at a special town meeting, voted to transfer to the school funds 
all the poor moneys in the hands of town officers. This was to be, and 
remain, a perpetual fund for the support of schools in town, agreeably to 
the provisions of an act passed April 27, 1829. $800 was directed to be 
loaned on security for the above purpose. All over the above sum was 

duties of his station, and preached one year. He still continues his ministerial labors occasion- 
ally, and is said to have in preparation for the press, an account of his personal observations 
upon the progress of religious and other institutions, which have grown up under his notice. 

* In April, 1851, there was found in taking down the walls of the Presbyterian church, first 
erected, a leaden plate bearing the following inscription. It was taken from the corner stone. 
" Laid by Northern Constellation Lodge. No. 14S, Malone, May 30th, A L , 5S26. A. D 1826. 
Ind. U.S.A. 50th. Clark Williamson, M.; Stephen Van Rensselaer, G. M. S. N. Y. : De 
Witt Clinton, Gov. S. N. Y. ; John Q. Adams, Pres. U. S. A. ; Rev. Ashbel Parmelee, Pastor 
Con. So, ; Orren Moees, Sculptor." 



514 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

to be distributed among the several school districts, in the ratio of the 
other scliool moneys of the town were by law directed to l)e paid. 

The town of Moira was apportioned to Gilchrist and Fowler, and the 
first settlement was made by Appleton Foote, from Middlebury, Vt., "who 
in March, 1803, came into town as agent for the proprietors, to erect 
a mill and commence a settlement. He brought in Benjamin Seeley 
and family, to assist him, and the latter was the first family that settled 
here. They spent the first winter alone in the new settlement, and kept 
a rude accommodation for travelers, great numbers of whom were then 
passing through on their way to tlie new settlements in St. Lawrence 
county. Jonathan Lawrence and Joseph Plumb came into town on the 
1st of March, 1804, having the previous year selected land and made ar- 
rangements for moving. Lawrence, Plumb, and one David Bates, were 
the only famihes that came in to reside in 1804. The first road to mar- 
ket was to French mills, from which a navigable communication exists 
to Montreal, and the first team that went thi-ough and back, a distance of 
about thirteen miles, is said to have occupied four days in the journey. 
In 1805, settlers came into town and settled in considerable numbers. 
The first Mills were built by Mr. Foote, who in 1803 erected a saw mill 
on the site of what is now Brush's Mills, and in the year following he 
added a single run of stones. The title subsequently passed to Luther 
Bradish, Robert Watts, and Peter Kean, who held the north middle and 
south thirds respectively. The present stone mill, near the rail road sta- 
tion of Brush's Mills, was erected by the proprietors about the year 1823. 
The north and middle thirds are at present owned, with the exception of 
parts sold to actual settlers, by Henry N. Brush. The fii-st schools in 
town were opened in 1807. 

The Northern i-ail road has two stations in town ; one at Brush's Mills 
and the other near Moira Corners. At the former is an extensive wood 
station. 

Wm. Pierce, a youth of 17, was tried at Malone, in July, 1839, for the 
mm-der of his father, and convicted. On the 10th of January previous, 
Willard Johnson and his son were working for the father of the prisoner. 
A dispute arose between the deceased and the prisoner, in relation to the 
use of a horse by the latter, to go to a spelling school. When they got 
to the field, where they were at work clearing land, Johnson directed ' 
the prisoner to cut a certain tree, to which he replied he would not, giv- 
ing as his reason, that the old man would not let him have the horse, 
&c. About this time the father came up, and the dispute was renewed. 
The prisoner said his father promised him the horse, the father denied 
it, upon which the prisoner gave him the lie. On this the father threat- 
ened to flog him, and picked up a stick and struck him. The son step- 
ped back, stood four or five seconds, raised his axe, and advancing rapidly 
four or five steps, struck his father with the axe in the right breast, driv- 
ing the whole bit of the axe into the chest, of which wound the father 
died in about forty hours. The prisoner was sentenced to be hanged 
on the 2d day of September following. This sentence was commuted 
by Governor Seward to imprisonment for life. 

Religious Societies. — The Chx'istian sect originated in this town in 
1816, under the labors of James Spooner, who came from New Hamp- 
shire, a young man of 20, and hired out as a laborei". In August, J827, 
a church of 17 members was formed, and since continued, numbering 
73 in all. Present number (October, 1852), 29. In connection with the 
Methodists, they have a church at Moira village. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 515 

A Congregational church and society exist in town, tiie latter having 
been incorporated April 26, 1823, witli Horace Dickinson, Enos Day 
and John Cooper, trustees. 

The Catholics are about forming a society at Brush's Mills. 

Westville, 

Was formed from Constable, with its present limits, April 25, 1829. 
Its name was suggested from its being the west part of Constable, and 
a post office named West Constable, had been established the year be- 
• fore. This has not since been changed. The first town meeting day 
having passed without election, Airic Man, Sylvester Langdon and 
Eseck Sprague, justices, filled the several offices by appointment, viz: 
Guy Meigs, supei-visor; Ebenezer Leonard, clerk; Ebenezer xMan, Good- 
rich liazen, Stephen B. Clough, assessors; Samuel Fletcher, collector; 
Ira Briggs, Philemon Berry, overseers of the poor; Buel H. Man, Henry 
G. Button, P. Berry, coirCrs of highways; S. Fletcher, Leonard Willsou, 
constables; E. Man, John M. Rogers, S. B. Clough, coni'rs of schools ; 
Stephen Felton, E.Leonard, Samuel Coggin, Ins'r of com. schools; P. 
Berry, pound keeper. 

Supervisors.— 1S29, Guy Meigs; 1830, Philemon Berry; 1831-2, Good-, 
rich Hazen; 1833-5, Alric Man; 1836-7, Henry G. Button; 1838-9, P. 
Berry; 1840-1, Buel H. Man; 1842-3, Alric Man; 1844-5, Samuel Cog- 
gin; 1846-7, James Walker; 1848-9, Samuel Man; 1850-1, Richard E. 
Morey ; 1851, Ebenezer Man, to fill vacancy, occasioned by death of R. 
E. Morey ; 1852, P. Berry. 

The first settler in Westville, is said to have been Amos Welch, from 

Grand Isle, Vt., about 1800. Haskins, Elisba Sabins, Samuel 

Fletcher, John Reed, Alexander McMillen, Silas Cushman, John Livings- 
ton, Joseph and Thomas Wright and Alric and Dr. Albon Man, mostly 
from Vermont, settled in 1803, or before, principally on a road, that in 
1800 had been made passable in winter from the settlements in Chateau- 
gay to St, Regis. The two brothers Man were from Addison, Vt., and 
. moved into town in March, 1803. The Wright families were from 
Salem, N. Y. 

Amos Welch built the first saw mill in town, and before the lands 
had been opened for sale. Dr. Man built the second saw mill, in 1803. 
Wni. Bailey, for many years an inhabitant of Plattsburgh, and one of 
the first land agents in the county, and an early settler of Chateaugay, 
held with Albon Man, for many years, the agency of the town. The 
first sale of land was to Joseph Wright, Nov. 19, 1802. Alexander Mc 
- Millen, Henry Briggs, Oliver Bell, Thomas Chamberlain, Barnabas 
Berry, Ezekiel Paine, Simeon Smith, settled at an early day ; and for 
several years the settlements increased quite rapidly. The first school 
was taught in 1806, at the house of Dr. Man, by Samuel Russell. Town- 
ships 2 and 3 were surveyed into thousand acre lots in 1802, by Wright 
and Raymond, and subsequently subdivided into quarters. 

Near the point where the principal road fi'om Fort Covington to Malone, 
crosses Salmon river, in this town, is a forge for the manufacture of bar 
iron from bog ore, which occurs in the swamps of this town and Constable. 
This forge was erected by David Erwiu, about 1810, and has been more or 
less used nearly every year since its first erection. It produced for many 
years the nails used in the country, which were made by the tedious and 
expensive methods in use before the invention of the machinery now 



516 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

used, plates of iron of the width of a nail's length were first plated 
out under the forge hammer, and these were subsequently cut and 
headed by hand. The usual price for tJiese nails, was thirty ceiits a 
pound, and the cost for this necessary article formed no small propor- 
tion of the expenses of building. There is another forge about three 
miles above. 

In 1822, a part of No. 2, and the whole of No. 3, not previously sold, 
was conveyed to Edward Ellice, of London, as payment for money 
loaned by Alexander Ellice, to Constable, in the purchase of the tract. 
The most of this town, in common with that part of the county under- 
laid by stundstone, is susceptible of high cultivation. 

In the north part of Westville, about midway between the east and 
the west lines, and half a mile from the provincial boundary, is a medi- 
cinal spring, which enjoys a local celebrity for the cure of cutaneous 
diseases. The waters are strongly sulphurous, and slightly chalybeate. 
Several years since, limited accommodations were erected in the vicinity, 
for the convenience of those invalids who might resort thither, for me- 
dicinal aid. 

Relip^ous Societies. — Meetings were held at first by the Rev. Alex'r 
Proudfit, to whose congregation several of the first emigrants had be- 
longed. 

A Presbyterian church formerly existed in town, who employed the 
Rev. Mr. Reed as miuister, but the society is now said to be scattered. 

A Universalist society was formed in 1847. 

The Westville Free church was erected in 1837, at a cost of $3,300, 
as a union church for the several orders in town. Mr. Ellice contributed 
$1,000 towards the expense. 



AND FRANKLIN COTTNTIES. 517 



CHAPTER VI. 



SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS — THE PRESS — HISTORY 
OF ACADEMIES. 

«^rJT^^^ MEDICAL society was formed in St. Lawrence county Oct. 14, 
r^Mffi^i^rt 1807. The following statistics were politely furnished by Dr. 
_^^^fWv Darius Clark, of Canton, the present secretary. At the first 
/3iML i^^ meeting, Joseph W. Smith was chosen president; 1. W. Pier, 

f^ vice-president; W. Noble, secretary; B. Holmes, treasurer; John 
; Seeley, Powell Davis and B.Holmes, censors. Its presidents have 
been Joseph W. Smith, 1807 to '14, '18-19, '28-9, '33; Robert Mc- 
Chesney, 1815 to '17, '21, '41; Gideon Sprague, 1820, '35, '43; 
B. Holmes, '25; E. Baker, '26-7, '32, '45, '48; F. Parker, 1840; S. H. 
McChesney, 1830-1, '34, '44, '52; S.N. Sherman, 1836, '42, '47; J. A. 
Mott, 1837; S. Ford, 1838; Wm. S. Paddock, 1839. 

A seal having for its device a lancet within the words " St. Lawrence 
Medical Society," was adopted July, 1811. The following have been 

elected honorary members: Heniy S. Waterman, Levi S. Ives, 

Ambler, R. Bates. The following is an alphabetical list of membei-s, 
with the dates of their admission, the first two figures of the year (18) 
being omitted: 

Alvan Ames, '31; A.Ames, '44; B. F. Ames, '45; John Archibald, 
15; Reuben Ashley, '27; Wm. Attwater, '21 ; Elijah Baker, '09; G. W. 
Barker, '28; Wm. Bass, '36; Daniel Brainerd, '11; Joseph Brayton, '28; 
Oliver Brewster, '29; M. L. Burnham, '43; R. Burns, '42; Wm. A. Can- 
field, '17; John S. Carpenter, '17; Wooster Carpenter, '29; Giles F. Cat- 
lin, ?30; J. A. Chambers, '32; J. H. Chandler, '29; H. O. Chipman, '33; 
Darius Clark, '24; Jacob Clark, '31 ; R. L. Clark, '46; J. S. Cochran, '30; 
G. F. Cole, '38; D. L. Collamer, '30; J. S. Conkey, '44; Levi Crane, '22; 
I. B. Crawe, '36; R. Davidson, '52; Powell Davis, '07; J. H. Dunton, '42; 
Thomas Dunton, '43; J. W. Flovd, '23; Sylvester Ford, '28; Elkanah 
French, '24; W. F. Galloway, '47; Ira Gibson, '23; Geo. Green, '42; 
Woolcot Griflin, '28; Hiram Goodrich, '30; J. H. Grennell, '47; Thomas 
Harrington, '20; W. Hatch, '21; Henry Hewett, '42; B. Holmes, '07; J, 
H. Hyer, '52; C. F. Ide, '44; F. W. Judson, '1^; H. D. Laughiin, '28; G. 
R. Lowe, '53; John McChesney, '21; Robert McChesney, '11; W. J. 
Manley, '44; John Marsh, '29; Samuel Marsh, '47; O. H. Mayhew, '43; 
H. Mazuzan, '36; Calvin S. Millington, '35; John S. Morgan, '28; James 
A. Mott, '12 ; James S. Munson, '29 ; Hiram Murdock, '28 ; Roswell Nash, 
'26; Rufus Newton, '22; D. S. Olin, '38; Nathaniel K. Olmsted, '21; 
Myron Orton, '11 ; Charles Orvis, '36; Wm. S. Paddock, '16; T. R. Pang- 
burn, '43; Francis Parker, '21; O. F. Parker, '52; Ezra Parmelee, '41; 
Reuben Philips, '12; Ira W. Pier, '07; Caleb Pierce, '23; C. H. Pierce, 
'28; J. C. Preston, '52; Alanaon Ray, '27; D. A. Raymond, '48; Jesse 
Reynolds, '52; Orra Rice, jr., '29; R. M. Rigdou, '32; J. H. Riplev, '34; 
J. W. Ripley, '28; L. Samburn, '28; Philip Scott, '14; John Seeley, '07; 
D. L. Shaw, '30; Lorenzo Sheldon, '28; Pierce Shepard, '08; A. B. 



518 HISTORY OF ST. I,AWRENCE 

Sherman, '43; B. F. Sherman. '42; Mason G. Sherman, '40; Socrates N. 
Sherman, '27; Solomon Sherwood, '20; T. Van Sickler, '26; Royal 
Sikes, 'JG; C. Skidmore, '22; Benj. P. Smith, '32; Ira Smith, '14; J. W. 
Smitli, '07; John Spencer, '09; Silas Spencer, '16; C. A.J. Sprague, '42; 
F. P. Spragne, '52; Gideon Sprague, '14; W. H. Sprague, '42; Alva 
Squire, '22; Lewis Stowers, '26 ; G. S. Sutherland, '52; Seymour Thatch- 
er, '26; Albert Tyler, '28; S. C. Wait, '36; R. B. Webb, '27; E. Whiting, 

'34 ; Jason Winslow, '21 ; Wm. Witherell, '42 ; Wood, '33. Totjil, 

121. 

The Medical society of Franklin county was instituted in October, 
1809, but the records are mostly lost, and a list of members from recol- 
lection is omitted on account of imperfections. Its seal has for its device 
a lancet within the name and date, and the words '• AE2IvTAAniOX^" 
and "Triumphalis," the latter spelled backwards. 

A series of benevolent societies were formed in St. Lawrence county 
more than twenty years since, which are at present the Bible Society, 
Home Missionary Society, Tract Society, Foreign Missionai~i) Society, &,c. 
Others have existed, but we Ijave been unable to obtain their statistics, 
except that of the first named, to which we are indebted to the Hon. 
John Fine, who has been identified with it since the beginning. It was 
formed in January, 1820, and became auxiliary to the American Bible 
Society in April, 1820. It has paid $1,560 in donations to t^e parent 
society, and bought near $1 1,000 worth of Bibles and Testaments, of 
which it has distributed more than any other local society, except Mon- 
roe, Rensselaer and Brooklyn. It has twice supplied every family with 
a Bible, and once every Sabbath school scholar with a Testament. It has 
once supplied every reader with a Bible or Testament. It still continues 
in active operation and purchases yearly about $500 worth for sale and 
distribution. The.-e societies are mostly auxiliary and hold anniversaries 
on the third Wednesdays of January in different parts of the county. 

A similar series of societies exists in Franklin county, viz: Bible So- 
ciety, organized Oct. 27, 1818, which has had 300 members. In 1850 it 
received $288-35, and in 1851, $239-36. Measures were taken in 1845, 
for supplying every family. The first officers were Hiram Horton, presi- 
dent; Asa Hascall, coi-responding secretary; Francis L. Harrison, re- 
cording secretary; Cone Andrus, treasurer. A Peace Society formed at 
Constable, Feb. 23, 1848, with Henry Longley, president; G. C. Cotton, 
secretary. A Tract Society formed Jan. 26, 1842, which has distributed 
from 9,000 to 14,000 pages annually. The first officers were Gen. Pren- 
tice Sabin, president; G. C. Cotton, secretary. An Anti-Slavery Society 
formed in 1829. This met the other societies in their anniversaries, but 
did not transact business. A Missionary Society, Jan. 27, 1842, with 
Silvester Langdon, president; G. C. Cotton, secretary; Hiram Horton, 
treasurer. This in three years was dropped, as each denomination has 
one of its own. 

The above hold anniversaries in January or February. We regret our 
inability to extend these notices from the full materials collected by Mr. 
Gideon C. Cotton, of Malone. 

The first Temperance society of Northern New York, was formed in 
Constable. Feb. 1, 1829. The original pledge and subscription is before 
us, but our space forbids its insertion. The Franklin county Temperance 
society, was formed by the Rev. Mr. Axtel, agent of the State society, 
Oct. 15, 1829, it 'continued its meetings about six years, and its first 
officers were Col. Silvester Langdon, president. Dr. T. R. Powell, secre- 
tajy. lu 1837, it was reorganized. The St. Lawrence Temperance society. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 519 

was formed in 1829, and like the former, was auxiliary to the. State 
society. Local societies were formed as follows; with the numhers re- 
})orted at the first annual meeting: Osivegatchie, March, 1828, 110; 
Gouverneur, March, 1829, 100. In 1828, 10,000 gallons of spirits sold. 
In 1829, 5,000;. Edwards, Deci 1829, 17. Two distilleries in town ; J?ws- 
sdl, Jan., 1829, 57. No distilleries, and no spirits sold in 1829: Canton, 
Jnlv, 1829, 112; Potsdam, Oct., 1828, 102. In 1828, 10,000 gallons 
of liquor sold; in 1829, none; Parishville, Jan., 1829, 40; Hopkinton, 
Nov., 1829, 35; West Stockholm, Jan., 1829,20; East Stockholm, Jan. 4, 
1830, 81 : Norfolk, Jan. 4, 1830, 25; Dekalb, Feb. 1829, 66; Waddington, 
March, 1829, =38; Richville, Oct. 17, 1829, 47. Two or three? buildings 
raised the year previous without the, aid of ardent spirits. A County 
Young Men's Temperance society, was formed in Canton, March 21, 1834. 

A Teacher^s association was formed in Malone, Nov., 9, 1842, and con- 
tinued but a short time. 

A County Lyceum, auxiliary to a state Lyceum, and forming a part 
of a series embracing nation, state county, town, and school district 
lyceimis, was formed at Canton, Feb. 27, 1833, and -continued a few 
years. It had for its objects mental improvement, and the promotion of 
educational interests. 

In the class of benevolent associations, we are proud to place those 
formed in 1847, for raising means to relieve tlie famine and distress 
which prevailed in Ireland and Scotland, from short cro[)s, and the 
ravages of the potato rot, which brought the peasantry of these countries 
to the greatest want for food. 

A public meeting was held at the Presbyterian house in the village of 
Ogdensburgh, on the evening of the 1st of March, 1847, of which the 
Hon. Henry Van Rensselaer, was chosen president. Joseph Rosseel, 
Elijah B. Allen, George M. Foster, and Sylvester Gilbert, vice presidents. 
H. G. Foote, and F. B. Hichcock, Dr. S. N. Sherman, and David C. Jud- 
son, were appointed a committee on resolutions. A series of resolutions 
expressing in the warmest language, commiseration for the sufferings of 
the starving, were passed, and an executive committee, consisting of D. 
C. Judson, H. Van Rensselaer, S. N. Sherman, G. N. Seymour, A. B. 
James, J. G. Hopkins, H. S. Humphrey, C. G. Myers, and John Fine, 
were appointed to collect and forward in the shortest time possible, such 
supplies as might be had for immediate shipment to Europe. In their 
appeal to the public, they said; "The wail of distress has comp upon us, 
not in the single and casual cases of contagion and disease, or mingled with 
the shouts of victory from the battle field, but in the deep and dying 
groans of thousands perishing for want of food. Every new arrival from 
Europe, brings new and more extended accounts of the destitution of 
its inhabitants and of the miseries they are suffering. In the land of our 
forefathers, or from which those who are a part and parcel of us came, 
in England, in Scotland, and in Ireland, but mostly in the latter, does this 
destitution exist; and the miseries of starvation, of perishing of the want 
of sustenance occur to such an overwhelming extent, that the details are 
lost sight of in the magnitude of the general suffering and in the mul- 
titude of deaths— /or the want of food. Shall we, who are blessed with 
abundance — ^who enjoy the bounties of Providence to almost an unlimit- 
ed extent — shall we not be ready to part with some of that abundance to 
save the famishing in those countries with which our sympathies and 
feelings are most strongly united.^ * * The organization and arrange- 
ments in our principal cities and towns, (enlisting as they have the ser- 
vices of citizens of the highest character, for probity and intelligence) 
have already arranged channels of communication and distribution, 



520 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

through which our donations will he made sure of reaching their objects. 
We have here at the outset, the offer, (as will he seen by the proceedings 
of the meeting accompanying this) of the gratuitous (conveyance of do- 
nations by the principal steam boat line from this place as far as their 
boats run, on tlie route towards the sea board, and we anticipate further 
evidence of liberality along the line, while at this place such arrange- 
ments have been made, that no charges will be made for storage, &c. 
Under such circumstances the committee offer their services and the 
facilities which they can command to their fellow citizens, not only of 
Ogdensburgh and its vicinity, but to the county of St. Lawrence 
generally, and they respectfully invite them to some early organized ac- 
tion in the different towns, by which the general sympadiy existing in 
the community can be brought into action while the sleighing lasts, 
that their contributions may go forward with the opening of the naviga- 
tion. The absolute destitution of millions of ])eople, of means and of 
food, affords am{)Ie field lor the exercise of charity, in any shape — in 
money, in wheat, in corn, in rye, in beans, in peas, in pork, in heefj in 
clothing, in short, every thing of food, or raiment, which will bear trans- 
portation. Let him who hath but little give but sparingly, and he who 
hath much give more, but let all give something, so that when we here- 
after hear, as we fear we shall, of further suffering and j)erishing, we 
can each and every of us have the consolation of knowing and feeling 
that we have done our part to mitigate their calamities and relieve their 
distress." 

This appeal had an effect throughout the county, generally, and on 
the 2d of June, the committee had forwarded 367 barrels, viz: 243 
barrels of wheat flour, 43 of rye flour, 6 of oatmeal, 12 of beans, 4 of 
peas, 7 of pork, and one cask of sundries, for tlie L'ish. Besides the 
foregoing, 52 barrels of provisions were forwarded to Scotland, by the 
same remittance, on further directions were given, than to bestow them 
upon the needy and deserving. The following is the communication of 
the committee to the central committee of New York, which accompanied 
the invoice. 

"The Executive committee appointed by a meeting of the citizens of 
Ogdensburgh, to take into consideration, means i'6r aiding the suffering 
in Ireland and Scotland, having sent forward the last of the supplies, 
which the benevolence and liberality of the inhabitants of St. Lawrence 
county ha,ve committed to their charge in pursuance of a resolution of 
the meeting appointing them, submit the following report. — That the 
appeal made by them to their fellow citizens of the county was more 
pi-omptly and generally responded to than from the lateness of the sea- 
son they had reason to expect, and has enabled them to send forward to 
the care and charge of the New York committee, 367 barrels of pro- 
visions, flour, &c. The corn meal came wholly from Waddington, 
where they have the means of kiln drying, which we not having here, 
induced the committee to exchange the contributions of corn, for an 
equal quantity of rye, which together with the wheat has been floured 
and packed in the best manner for exportation. Small quantities of oats, 
buck wheat, &c., have been exchanged for wheat. The whole business 
has been done without charge upon the cash fund, except some minor 
charges for repacking, cartage, &c. That the county of St. Lawrence, 
after the first of March, (in which to the opening of navigation our roads 
have been almost impassable), should by their spirited efforts have 
gathered together of their benevolent contributions, more than $3,000 
worth of food, for a foreign suffering people, independent of cash con- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 521 

tributions, is most creditable to their humanity and generosity." The 
efficiency of the aid received from Massena and Potsdam, is especially 
noticed by the committee. 

Religions ^Associations. — Tlie St. Laivrence Baptist dissociation, was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1813, in Stockholm, in a log house on the St. Regis 
river, owned by Zephaniah French, by Elder Hascall, founder of Hamilton 
Seminary, Elder Starkwether, from Vermont, and a very few others. 
It embraces St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, and the following 
•churches, with numbers in each in ]852; Brandon, 57; Burke, 66; 
Canton, 131; Chateangay, 34 ; Constable, 13; Edwards, 32; Fowler, 24; 
Fort Covington, 97; Gouverneur, 176; Hermon,80; Madrid, 128;Malone, 
203; Morristown, 50 : Massena 49; Lawrence, 60; Nicholville, 82; Og- 
densburgh, 184; Parishviile, 172; Pitcairn, 24; Potsdam, 29; Russell, 2; 
Richville, 87; Stockholm, 53; total 1,961. During the previous year 32 
had died, 55 added by baptism, and 66 by letter. 

The Baptist Missionary Convention, was formed in 1827, auxiliiary to a 
state society. It holds meetings annually on the first Wednesday of 
January, by rotation in the two counties. In connection with this, the 
St. Laivrence Bible Society of the Baptist denomination, meets and trans- 
acts its business. The latter was formed in September, 1836, and is 
auxiliary to a national society. During its first year it raised $198 63. 

The St. Lawrence (Quarterly Meeting (Free Will Baptist), was organized 
in 1837, and at the time emhraced three churches in the two counties. 
The present number is nine. It extends into Jefferson county. The 
churches in De Kalb and Fowler, belong to the Jefferson quarterly meet- 
ing; and the other seven to the St. Lawrence quarterly meeting. The St. 
Laivrence yearly meeting, was formed at Fowler, in Jul}', 1842, of the two 
quarterly meetings above named, to which a third (Clinton) has been 
added. It embraces 23 churches, 13 ordained ministers, 6 licentiates 
and 656 communicants. 

Catholic Churches exist at St. Regis, Chateangay, Malone, Fort Covino-- 
ton, Hogansburgh, CanUm, Massena, Waddington, Potsdam, OgdensbLirgh 
and Brasher. They belong to the Albany Diocese, and were built as fol- 
lows: Brasher, in 1851, by Rev. James Keveny; Canton, built by Rev. 
James Mackey; Chateaugay (St. Patrick's), in 1845, bv Rev. B. McCabe; 
Fort Covington (St. Mary's), in 1837-8, by Rev. John McNulty; Hogans- 
burgh (^St. Mary's), in 1833-4, by Rev. J. McNulty, who has been succeeded 
by Rev, James Keveny and Rev. Thomas Keveny ; Malone (St, Joseph's), 
in 1836, by Rev. J. McNulty, who has been succeeded by Rev. J. Kevenv, 
and it is now under the charge of Rev. Bernard McCabe. A larger place 
of worship is expected to be soon built here. Massena (St. Peter's), built 
by Rev. J. McNulty; Ogdensburgh (St. Mary's), now imder the charge 
of Rev. James Mackey. A large stone church is being built here. Pots- 
dam, built by Rev. P. Phellan ; St. Regis, (see chapter 2 of this work); 
Waddington (St Mary's), built by Rev. James Mackey, now under the 
charge of Rev. P. Phellan. 

The JS'orthern Christian Conference, embracing Franklin, Jefferson and 
St. Lawrence counties, at present numbers about 250 communicants, and 
meets by adjournment on the Friday preceding the last Sabbath in June, 
In the foregoing pages, we have noticed the several churches of this 
sect. 

The St. Lawrence Consociaf/on (Congregational), was formed at Madrid, 
Feb. 9, 1825, and embraces the lay element of this church. The dele- 
gates that formed it were Rev. Oliver Eastman, Joseph Hulburt and Dea 
Caleb M. Foot, of Madrid; Rev. Moses Ordway end Dea, G. Stowe, of 



522 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Norfolk; Rev. R. Pettibone and Dea Aaron Warner, of Hopkinton; Dea 

E. Hiilbiird, of Stockholm; Dea N. Taylor and Jonas Matthews, of West 
Stockliolm ; and Natiianiel Cranipton, of Parishville. This body at present 
meets by delegation on the hst Tuesday of January, annually and semi- 
annually on the Tuesday preceding the third Wednesday in June, each 
church sending two delegates, one of whom must be its minister. It is 
strictly advisatory, and embraces the following churches, ministers and 
numbers (July, 1852); Brasher, 10; South Canton, 31; Brier Hill (Ham- 
mond), 5". Youn^; De Peyster, E. D. Taylor, 55; Edwards, 18; Hopkin- 
ton, E. Wood, 94; iiawreuceville, E. B. Catter, 60; Lisbon, M. L. East- 
man, 91 ; Madrid, B. B. Parsons, 128; Massena, 1st Ch., 40; 2d Ch., 46, 
T. JY. Benedict ; Norfolk, G. B. Rowley, 153; N. Lawrence; Parishville, 
B, Bin-naj), 99; Pierrepont, P. Montague, 25; West Potsdam, 30; Ray- 
mondville, G. B. Rowley, 31; Richville, G. Cross, 50; Russell, 27; Stock- 
holm, P. C. Pettibone, 130; West Stockholm, Dixon, 58; Wadding- 
ton, a F. Halsey, 78. 

The St. Lawrence Associatiori; 7^i-med of the clergy of the above Con- 
gregational churches, was organized Sept. 14, 1844, at Madrid, and 
numbers 17 members. No churches of this order exist in Franklin 
county. 

The Methodist Episcopal denomination, was among the first to organize. 
The Black river circuit was formed as a part of the Genessee district in 
1803, and Barzillai Wiley, with John Husselkus, were appointed. In 
1804 it had 90 members. 

The St. Lawrence Circuit, with 84 members, was formed in 1811, and 
Isaa'" Puffer was appointed minister. In the same year, Malone Circuit, 
wit .;! members, and John T. Adams, minister, was foi'med as a part of 
Chaillplain district. 

In 1820, the Black river district was formed as a part of Onei<la Con- 
ference, including both of our counties up to the period of the division. 
St. Lawrence circuit was supplied by the following preachers: 1812, 
Isaac Puffer, 144 members; 1813, Benj. G. Paddock, 160; 1814, Joseph 
Hickcox and Robert Menshall, 230; 1815,262; 1816, Wyat Chamberliii 
and John Dempster, 251; 1817, Andrew Prindle and Thomas McGee, 
231; 1818, Thomas Goodwin and Calvin N. Flint, 290; 1819, Timothy 
Goodwin and Thomas Demorest, 332; 1829, W. W. Rundall and Josiah 
Kies, 349; 1821, Ezra Healy and Orrin Foot, 398; 1822, Truman Dixon, 
Squire Chase and Roswell Parker, 343; 1823, Isaac Smith and R. Park- 
er, 383; 1824, Gardner Baker, 315; 1825, do., 243; 1826, James Brown, 
255; 1827, Andrew Prindle, 230; 1828, 152. In this year, this circuit 
was divided into several. Indian river circuit, embracing a part of St. 
Lawrence county, was formed in 1821. Potsdam circuit was formed in 
1823, with Warren Bannister first preacher. The several circuits now 
existing were formed as follows: Ogdeusburgh, 1826; Parishville, Wad- 
dington. Canton and Gouverneur, 1828; Heuvelton, 1829; Fort Coving- 
ton, 1830; Hammond and Chateaugay, 1832; Hopkinton and De Kalb, 
1833; Lisbon, Louisville, Massena and Bangor, 1835; Bombay and 
Stockholm, 1836; Westville, 1837; Russell mission, 1838; Rossie mis- 
sion, Matildavilleand Pierrepont mission, 1840; South Canton, Sprague's 
Corners, Norfolk, Buck's Bridge and Brasher mission. 1841 ; Macomb 
mission, 1842; Rackett river and West Stockholm, 1843: Edwards mis- 
sion and Morristown, 1846; St. Regis mission, 1849; St. Lawrence, 
French mission, Duaue mission and Moira circuit, 1850. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 523 

Black River Conference was formed in 1836, and two counties are now 
embraced in the Gnuverneur, Potsdam and Ogdensburgh districts. The 
presiding elders of the Methodist Episcopal church, so far as the conn- 
ties of St. Lawrence and Franklin have been concerned, since their or- 
ganization, have been, 

Albany Dist.— 1804, Elijah Woolsey; 1807, Henry Stead. 

Cayuga Dist. — 1808, Peter Vannest; 1810, Wm. Case. 
. Oneida Dist— 1812, Wm. Case; 1814, Chas. Giles; 1818, Geo. Garey. 

Black River Dist.— 1820, Renaldo M. Everts; 1823, Dan Barnes; 
1826, Goodwin Stoddard ; 1827, Nathaniel Sahsbury. 

Potsdam Dist. — Formed in 1828, and embraced the two counties, 
and a portion of Jefferson. 1828, B. G. Paddock; 1831, Squire Chase; 
1 834, Silas Comfort ; 1 836, G. Loveys ; 1837, W. S . Bowdish ; 1839, Lewis 
Whitcomb. The district discontinued in 1840, and merged in Ogdens- 
burgh district; renewed in 1842. 1 "», A. Adams; 1845, Isaac L.Hunt; 
1849, Geo. C. Woodruff, 

Ogdensburg Dist. — Formed in 1851. 1851, Hiram Shepard. 

Gouverneur Dist. — Formed in 1839; discontinued in 1844. 1839, W. 
S. Bowdish; 1841, Lewis Whitcomb; 1842. Nathaniel Salsbiiry. 

Watertown Dist. — Lewis Whitcomb: 1849, Gardner Baker. 

The St. Lawrence Conference of the Wesley an Methodist Church was 
formed June 4, 1845, at Lisbon, and comprises Franklin, St. Lawrence, 
Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Herkimer counties, with a part of Oswego. 
Churches exist in Westville, Burke, Stockholm and Lawrence, Pierre- 
pont and Parishville, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Oak Point, Waddington, 
Louisville and Russell. 

St. Lawrence Presbytery, is said to have been organized in Lj Kalb. 
According to the last official report, there were eight ministers, having 
under their care nine churches, and one candidate belonging to the 
Presbytery, which is of the new school order of the Presbyterian church, 
and constitutes a part of the Utica Synod. It embraces St. Lawrence 
county only, and there is much probability that it will be shortly united 
with the Ogdensburgh Presbytery (O. S.), from which it was separated 
by friendly agreement on the formation of the latter. The St. Lawrence 
Presbytery holds an annual meeting on the Tuesday preceding the third 
Wednesday in .January, and a semi annual meeting on the second Tues- 
day of July. The present clergymen are Hiram S.Johnson, Roswell 
Pettibone, "Elijah W. Plumb, Asa"^Brainerd, Bliss Burnap, Hiram Dyer, 
Branch B. Beckwith and Charles F. Halsey. Total number of mem- 
bers, 778. 

The Ogdensburgh Presbytery (O. S.), was formed Jan. 21, 1839, soon 
after the division of the Presbyterian church, according to the provisions 
of the General Assembly of 1838, by the Rev. Messrs. James Rogers, 
John M. McGregor, John H. Savage, D. D,,and elders from the Ogdens- 
burgh, Oswegatchie and Hammond chui-ches. This Presbytery at pre- 
sent embraces the following churches, clergymen and number of com- 
municants: Hammond, 14.5; 1st, Oswegatchie, L. M.Miller, 247; 2d, 
do.. Ill; Morristown, R. T. Conant, 50; three churches in Jefferson 
county, viz: Le Ray, Wilna and Ox Bow, 140; total, 696. These 
churches in 1852 raised $4,100 for religious purposes. The churches 
of Franklin county belong to the Champlain Presbytery, which forms a 
part of the Albany Synod. 

The St. Lawrence Jlssociation of Universalists was formed several years, 
previous to 1840, but the records of the early proceedings could not be 
obtained. The present constitution was adopted in June, 1839. It is 
32 



521 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

embraced in tlie New York State Convention, and comprises the coun- 
ties of St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton. Two delegates from each 
society, together witli the clergynuin of each, assemble annually by ap- 
pointment, at different places, on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday 
of June, and constitute a council, for the discussion and regulation of 
the ecclesiastical business of the denomination. In June, 1851, a mis- 
sionary society, for supplying? destitute places in the three coun- 
ties, was formed. There was formerly a Sabbath school society con- 
nected with the association, but this has been merged in the latter. The 
following is believed to be a complete list of the societies of this deno- 
mination, with the date of their admissiou, so far as could be ascer- 
tained : 

Little York,* June, 1838. There is a church organization connected 
with this; Somerville,* June, 1843; Gouverneur and Hailesboro; Heu- 
velton;* Oswegatchie, June, 1842; Hammond, June, 1838; Canton,* 
formed before the aBSOciation; has a Church organization. Present 
number, 300; Madrid,* this, with the one that precedes and follows has 
a sabbath school connected ; Potsdam,* organized before th^ association 
was formed; Massena; Hopkinton and Lawrence, June, 1843; Colton,* 
June, 1852; Nicolville; Morristown, June, 1843; Malone,* this has a 
church organization. The same with Madrid and Potsdam; Westville, 
June, 1844. Has an interest in the Union church in»town ; Plattsburgh,* 
June, 1845. 

The standing clerks of the association since 1839, have been as fol- 
lows: Z. N. Elli.s, Wm. H. Waggoner, Jos. Baker, G. Swan and Martin 
Thatcher, who is the present incumbent. 

Associations for Mutual Benefit. 

Masons. — Being disaj)pointed in procuring an official list, the follow- 
ing is offered as the best that could be obtained. It is defective in manv 
points, and perhaps erroneous in some. Aurora Lodge, Fort Covington, 
very early, iorfge ©/"JSeneuo/ence, formed at Hopkinton in 1811. Colum- 
bia Lodge, Madrid, August, 1825. Hiram Safford, M.; Oliver Spencer, 
S. W. ; John Crawford, J. W. Hamilton Lodge, at that village, about 
1810. Harmony Lodge, No. 187, Potsdam, 1808. The device of its seal 
was a square and compass. JVorthern Constellation, Malone, before the 
war; revived in the fall of 1852, with Clark Williamson, M. ; F. P. Allen, 
1st S. W. : Aaron Beeman, 1st J. W. JVorthern Light, Stockholm ; re- 
moved to Lawrenceville, and is said to be the only one in the county that 
existed thi-ough the anti-masonic excitement. Olive Branch, Massena, 
1806 or 7. Racket River Lodge, No. 213, Potsdam, fall of 1849. First 
officers, Joshua Blaisdell, M. ; A. T. Hopkins, S. W. ; J. H. Hyer, J. W. 
Rainbow Lodge, No. 12, Chateaugay, 1809. The regalia are said to have 
been stolen by the enemy in their incursion in 1814, which were bought 
up at Montreal- by masons and returned. During the anti-rnasonic ex- 
citement, their charter, regalia and furniture disappeared. St. Lawrence 
Lodge No. Ill, Canton, Dec. 1845. Lodges of masons existed before 
1828 at De Kalb, Gouverneur, Rossie, Norfolk, Parishville, Ogdensburgh, 
and perhaps other places. They now exist at Ogdensburgh, Gouverneur, 
Canton, Potsdam, Lawrenceville and Malone. 

Royal Arch Chapters existed at Malone, Potsdam and Ogdensburgh. At 
present they exist at Potsdam, Canton and Ogdensburgh. St. Laivrence 

* These ehnrehes have places of worship tielongfing to the several denominations of the 
Jiff«r«Mt town?. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 525 

Chapter, No. 24, was formed at Massena, Feb. 9, 1809, with Elisha Den- 
iiison, H. P.; Daniel Robison, K.; John Polley, S. It was removed 
about 1816 to Potsdam. In 1828 it was suspended, and having funds at 
the time these were expended in the purchase of a library, which now 
numbers about 400 Volumes. In 1851 it was revived. Device of its seal, 

a pot of incense. 

* 

Odd Fellows.— .^wHg-a Lodge, No. 319, formed Aug, 0,1847, at Mad- 
rid, with Joseph Baker, John A. Fuller, Cabot Pierce, Wrn. J. Manley, 
Geo. Erwiu, John Thomas, and Frederick Powell, charter members. 
Connected with this lodge are the Daughters of Rebecca, who are ad- 
mitted to a part of each meeting. Mastaqua Lodge, No. 274, formed 
Feb. 5, 1847, at Potsdam, with Noble S. Elderkin, Chas. Boyington, Royal 
H. Munson, Josiah C. Gates, Shuball R. Gurley, and Norris Pierce, char- 
ter members. JVeshoha Lods!:e., No. 78, formed March 15, 1848, at Ma- 
lone, with S. P. Bates, H. S. Brewster, B. W. Clark, S. C. F. Thorndike, 
C. C. Whittlesey, ajjd H. F. Heath, charter members. The device of 
their seal is an Indian in a canoe. JSfoi-folk Lodge, No. 243, formed Aug. 
22, 1849, with E. W. Sackrider, G. W. Floyd, H. G. Bradley, H. L. Sack- 
rider, Q. D. Wicks, charter members. Seal, an eye with rays, a dove 
with an olive branch, and a scroll with the motto " In God we trust," en- 
circled by the name^number, and date of the lodge. Ogdensburgh Lodge, 
No. 273, formed Feb. 24, 1847, with J. H. Haggett, J. M. Doty, D. Bing- 
ham, H. M. Smith, Geo. Boyd, F. B. Hitchcock, and A. M. Hepburne, 
charter members. River De Grasse Lodge, No. 425, formed at Canton, 
Jan. 29, 1852. Seal, an eye, three links, and the letters I. O. of O. F., 
within the name, number, and date. It is believed there is also a lodge 
at Waddington. 

Rechabites. — But one tent (Herculean Tent, No. 388), in the two coun- 
ties. It was formed at Chateaugay in Sept., 1852, with the following as 
its first officers: A. M. Millar, Sh'd; E. A. Keeler, P. C. R.; A. S. 
Bryant, C. R.; D. C. Meigs, D. C. R.; G. Howe, L.; P. B. Fiske, R. S.; 
G. W. Goodspeed, F. Si; M. M. Roberts, T.; C. D. Silver, I. G.; I. 
Spoon, O. G. 

Sons of Temperance. — Oswegatchie Division, No. 2, March 27, 1847. 
Charter members, Geo. Boyd, H. G. Foote, H. Rockwell, Geo. Guest, 2d, 
T. H. Hawley, G. W. Durgan, John Burke, Philip Hazen, Simeon Dilling- 
ham, A. M. Hepburn, Philo Abbott, R. G. James, A. M. Wooley, L. B. 
Stoor, R. S. Armstrong, and Joseph Bates. It meets on Fridays. Stock- 
holm, No' 99, 1847; meets Wednesdays at East Stockholm. Russell, No. 
100, 1850 ; meets Saturdays. Chippewa St., No. 101, 1851, N. Hammond ; 
meets Wednesdays. Union, No. 146, Somerville, Sept. 8, 1852. Char- 
ter, members, Wm. R. Myers, Adam Myers, Hiram Hall, Wm. Harris, 
Chauncey Emmons, James McCarthy, E. Y. Kelsey, Harrison Emmons, 
F. White, C. G. Sharpstone, A. S. Sizeland. St. iau^rence. No. 258, Can- 
ton, June 26, 1847; meets Mondays. Waddington, No, 299, March 29, 
1849. Charter members, James Redington, Richaiti Maguire, David 
Backus, James L. Buckley, Thos. Myers, Henry Stowers, Thos. Shea, 
Wm. Scott, S. E. Sanborn, G. R. Lowe, R. R. Hatch, A. L. Robinson, L. 
S. Wright, T. Short, 2d, John Proctor, L. J. Proctor, B. W. Daniels, J. 
B. Burdick, J. H. Bartholomew, and John Rand. It meets on Satur- 
days. Cenire, No. 348, 1851, Parishville; meets Wednesdays. Racket 
River, No. 367, Potsdam, March 1848. Charter members, Ira Chandler, 
J. Blaisdell, B. Bachelor, H. Shead, T. Douglass, C. O. Hubbell, H. R, 



526 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Ames, B. C. Rich. It meets Monday. Grass River, No. 368, Madrid, 
May 6, 1848. Charter members, Noble Hosford, Hiram T. Fuller, Fran- 
cis F. Pierce, Edgar P. Hill, Thos. Rea, Geo. A. Simons, Nathaniel L. 
Powell, AI)raham Ross, and James A. Wright. Meets Thursdays. Mor- 
ley, No. 369, 1850. Minnesota, No. 399, RaymondviJIe, Jan. 1849. Char- 
ter members, Oliyer Arnold, Jr., Joiin Armstrong, H. B. Hall, Thomas 
Benedict, Joseph Clark, F. A. Clark, H. A. Bowland,and J. W. Denison. 
Meets Saturdays. United Brothers, No. 444, Ogdensbnrgh, Dec. 12, 1848. 
Charter members, S. F. Judd, David Burdett, James H. Russell, D. B. 
Bulsom, A. S. Sawtell,Wm. Lightfoot, Amos Wright, James Pendegrast, 
Thos. Child, H. Young, G. Boyd, Seva P. Taft, O. Fairbanks, J. B. Hag- 
gett, S. Low, P. W. Dunton, and S. L. Boyington. It meets Tuesdays. 
Forest, No. 463, Colton, 1851 ; meets Saturdays. Massena, No. 490, 1 849, 
(gone down). Gouverneur, No. 544, Aug. 1849; meets Fridays. Rich- 
ville, No. 571, 1850. De Peyster, No. 586, 1849 ; meets Saturdays. Ocean 
Rock, No. 652, Millerville, April 9, J 850. Charter members, S.Sowls, C. 
Powers, M. Powers, B. P. Dowd, H. J. Clark, R. H. Miller, J. Miller, J. 
Gainer, J. Cole, H. Holland, G. W. Wright, W. Knight, and J. Barrel!. 
Meets Saturdays. Bounding Billoivs, No. 653, Lawrenceville, 1850; 
meets Wednesdays. St. Regis, No. 659, Brasher Falls; meets Tuesdays. 
It is believed there are two or three other division^ in the county. In 
every instance application was made to some of the officers for facts, but 
many were disregarded, which renders it impossible to make our list 
perfect. This is stated that none may charge partiality or neglect upon 
us where it is not due. 

In Franklin Co. Franklin Division 'No. 430, (Malone), Sept. 9, 1848, 
meets Tuesdays. JVorthern Union, No. 436, (Fort Covington), Sept. 1848. 
Charter members, J. C. Spencer, H, A. Paddock, C. M. Whitney, E. E. 
Whitney, S. Mears, R. H. Spencer, S. F. Lincoln, W. H. Payne, P. B. 
WolfF. 

Cadets of Temperance, and Daughters of Temperance, have been in sev- 
eral instances, established, but it is believed none npw exist. 

Among associations for mutual benefit may be classed Union Stores, of 
which several exist in both counties. These form a part of a general 
system known as the JVew England Protective Union, which originated in 
Boston, in 1845. Each company is independent in pecuniary liabilities, 
and in organization. There exists a central agency at Boston, for the 
purchase of goods at a small commission, and delegates from divisions of 
50 members or more, meet annually on the first Wednesday of October, 
at Boston, and though committees transact all business relating to the 
common interest. Business is done on the cash principle strictly, and 
traffic in ardent spirits is forbidden. Subdivisions are formed on appli- 
cation of 15 or more persons of good moral character, who do not use or 
vend intoxicating drinks. The first of these unions was formed at West 
Potsdam, in the fall of 1851. The following are their present number, 
location and capital of those existing at the close of 1852, as far as received. 
The facts were procured mostly through the kindness of Mr. Timothy 
Gibson, of Nicholville. 

West Potsdam, No. 586, Oct. 14, 1851, capital $900, on an average. 
Trade since organization, $6000. Stephen Barnum, president ; T. Bailey, 
secretary; Morley, W. Byington, president; Nicholville, 301, Nov. 1851, 
Rufus Alden, president ; T. Gibson, secretary ; capital $2000; Bicknell- 
ville, 307, Amos Bicknell, president; Silas Smith, secretary; capital, 
$2,500; Madrid, Norfolk 287, January 9, 1852, capital, $1,500; H. Att- 
water, president; Lloyd C.Yale, financial secretary ; John Yale, recording 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 527 

secretary; Russell, 313, March 3, 1852; capital $500; VV. P. Moore pre- 
sident; Wm. E. Boyd, secretary; Stockholm depot, 312; B. Holmes, pre- 
sident; Parishville, 315, March, 1852, capital $2000; L. Hatch, president; 
Potsdam, 357, April 20, 1852, capital $200 ; sales $1000 monthly, Hexman 
\^itten, president; T. Blaisdell, secretary; Lawrenceville, 399, J. Ferris, 
president; P. Whitney, secretary; N. Lawrence, 400, Sept. 23, 1852; A. 
Townseud, president; L. R. Townsend, secretary; Dickinson, 392, C. 
Taylor, president ; Bombay, 405, Oct. 20, 1852, capital $2000 ; Jas. Mc 
Roberts, president; S. B. Sowles, secretary; located at Bombay Corners 

Agricultural Societies. — In the act of Api-il 7, 1819, for encouraging 
these, St. Lawrence received $100 for two years. A society entitled 
" The St, Lawrence County Society for promotins; agriculture and domestic 
manufactures^' having for its seal these words, encirclingasheaf of wheat, 
was formed in 1822. Membership 50 cents annually. A meeting was 
. to be held on the last Wednesday of February, for the election of officers, 
and on the 3d Tuesday and Wednesday of October, for a fair, which was 
to be held at Canton, Potsdam and Madrid, alternately. This society was 
abandoned in one or two years. 

On the 4th of February, 1834, a second society was formed at Ogdens- 
burgh, named the "5f. Lawrence County Agricultural Society.^' Member- 
ship $1 annually. Not less than two fairs were to be held annually at 
Ogdensburgh. Upon the last day of the first fair in eSfth year, the offi- 
cers were to be elected. Its first officers were George Parish, president ; 
H. Van Rensselaer, Silas Wright, Ji\, and J. C. Clarkson, vice presidents; 
Smith Stilwell, secretary ; Wm. Bacon, Smith Stilwell, Sylvester Gilbert, 
David C. Judson, U. H. Orvis, G. Ogden and Henry M. Fine, managers. 
This also subsisted about two years, and at its first fair distributed $227 
ainong 37 competitors, principally on stock. 

The general law of May 5, 1841, allowed this county $170 annually, 
for five years, and led to the formation of a third society, of which R. 
N. Harrison, was president, and a vice president was appointed to each 
town, an executive committee of 7, and a treasurer and two secretaries. 
Their first fair (Oct. 7, 1841), distributed $361 in 66 premiums. Their 
second (Sept. 14, 1842), $171 in 58 premiums. Nine years next ensued 
without an agricultural society, when the board of supervisors, in 1851, 
passed a resolution strongly in favor of another attempt, and designated 
the Thursday evening following for a preliminary meeting, to take mea- 
sures for an organization. Subsequent meetings were held, and on the 
3d of April, 1852, a convention was held at the court house, and a con- 
stitution adopted. Henry Van Rensselaer, was chosen president. Uriel 
H. Orvis, Jonah Sanford and Hiram Johnson, vice presidents. Henry 
G. Foote, secretary, and Ebenezer Miner, treasurer. A corresponding 
secretary was appointed in each town. Elections are held on the 2d 
Tuesday in June, at the court house, at 1 o'clock P. M., when the presi- 
dent, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer, are chosen, and the execu- 
tive committee (who are the above officers), determine the time in Sept., 
and place for holding the annual fair ; decide upon the prizes, appoint 
judges or committees, and take such action as may promote the objects 
of the society. Membership $1 annually, and none but members allowed 
to compete for premiums. Citizens of adjoining counties entitled to a 
chance for premiums by paying $1. The fiscal year commences with 
October. The constitution was signed by 50 delegates who attended the 
convention. 

The first fair of this society was held at Canton, Sept. 16-17, 1852, on 
premises finely adapted for the purpose, in the lower part of the village, 



528 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

t 

and near Grass river. The grounds had been leased for a term of five 
years, and enclosed in a close board fence. The side towards the road 
is descendinir and has numerous shade trees, while tlie rear part is level 
and affords a fine tour for the trial and exercise of iiorses offered for 
premiums. Both days were delif,ditfully pleasant, and the crowds of in- 
telligent tanners with their families who attended, bespoke the {general 
interest tiiat was lelt, and augured well of the future. Ti)ere were 396 
articles oflE'ered lor premiums, very many of which were highly creditable 
to the county. 

Franklin couniy received $100 annually, by the law of 1819, and the 
board of supervisors raised a similar amount by tax for two years; a so- 
ciety was organized but was soon abandoned. By the act of 1841, this 
county was entitled to $50, but the effbrt that was then made ibr this 
purpose failed. On the 26th of August, 1851, a society was foj-med by a 
convention convened by the notice of the county clerk. Their constitu- 
tion is as follows: 

"We the undersigned, inhabitants of said county, have agreed, and do 
hereby agree, to be and are hereby associated together as a county so- 
ciety, for the promotion of agriculture in and for the said county of 
Franklin. And we severally agree to observe, perform, and abide by, 
the rules, resolutions and by-laws to be hereafter from time to time, 
adopted at any general meeting of this association, in conformity with 
the provisions of the legislature of this state, in relation to the formation, 
government and action of such societies. And we do further agree, that 
this society shall commence its operations from this 26th day of August, 
A. D., 1851." 

The following officers were elected at the first meeting: President, 
Hon. Sidney Lawrence; secretary, Harry S. House; treasurer, Hiram H. 
Thompson ; and a vice-president in each town. 

The vice-presidents were appointed a committee to solicit subscrip- 
tions and obtain funds for the common benefit of the society. The first 
fair of the society was held October 6 and 7, 1852, on a plain half a mile 
east of the village, upon premises that had been leased for five years, and 
enclosed with a permanent fence, for the purpose of affording accommo- 
dations for succeeding fairs. The interest felt throughout the county in 
this fair, gives assurance that the association will be permanent and useful. 
There were eighty-one premiums awarded on domestic quadrupeds; 
eight upon fowls; sixteen upon dairy produce ; thirty-two upon bread, 
fruit, and household goods ; thirty-three upon miscellaneous manufac- 
tures; and eight upon farming implement!?. Three premiums were 
awarded upon the plowing match. 

The St. Lawrence County Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated 
May 12, 1836. Silvester Gilbert, Zenas Clark, 'J'ilden Hurlburd, John L. 
Russell, Edwin Dodge, Sylvester Butrick, Henry Van Rensselaer, George 
Redington, William Bacon, Smith Stillwell, Harvey Flagg, David C. 
Judson, and Baron S. Doty, were named in the act as first directors, 
their places to be supplied by an annual election by members of the 
company. 

Persons insuring were to be members of the company while insured, 
and to have one vote for every hundred dollars of insurance. The ex- 
istence of the company was limited to twenty years. The act has been 
amended May 12, 1836, March 26, 1849, and by several-acts ap[)licable 
to all insurance companies in the state. The company organized Oct. 
13, 1836, and the first officers elected by the directors above named were, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 529 

Henry Van Rensselaer, president; Baron S. Doty, vice-president; Charles 
G. Myers, secretary. 

The following statistics show the business which has been done by 
thjs company: Policies issued, 23,000; total insurance, $18,000,000; 
insurance in force, $15,000,000; premium notes, $420,000; paid losses 
from April 1, 1849, to April 1, 1852, $105,780-41. 

The United States Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated under 
the general act of April 10, 1849, and its office is located at West Pots- 
dam. The following is a list of the persons designated in the charter as 
first directors: Amos Blood, Martin Lester, Alljert M, Skeels, William 
J. Barnum, Chai-les Dart, Orsemus L. Foote, Royal Barnum, Dennison 
G. Wilmarth, William A. Dart, Horace Allen, Truman Li I lie, Jonah 
Sanfbrd, Joseph Barnes, Martin Thatcher, Henry Barber, Amaziah B. 
James, Benjamin Lane, William E. Ellis, Alfred Goss, Lloyd C.Yale, C. 
B. Hawes, A. L. Lock wood, and James Lane. The directors are elected 
annually by the members, aud choose from their number a president, 
vice-president, secretary and treasurer. The capital consisting of cash 
actually paid in, and of premium notes payable at such times as the di- 
rectors shall determine, is fixed at not less than ^100,000. Persons in- 
sured to have the option of giving premium notes liable to assessment in 
case of need, or of paying a sum of'money for insurance in lieu of giving 
notes. The directors hold themselves indemnified and harmless from 
loss arising fi'ora default, neglect or misdeeds of the other directors. 
The duration of the company is fixed at twenty years. The funds of the 
company can not be used for traffic or banking, but may be loaned on 
good security payable on demand. 

Cash premiums for one year, are taken in lieu of a note at 25 per cent 
on the amount which would have been demanded on the note, and the 
insurance may be renewed annually without a new survey. Steam mills, 
cotton factories, powder mills, distilleries, manufactories of printers' ink, 
and extra hazardous property not insured by the company. By the first 
annual report up to the 1st of January, 1852, the number of policies is- 
sued previously was 6,707, upon property valued at $4,918,679. Cash 
pi-emiums less agent's commissions, $35,550*65. Losses and expenses 
paid, $13,085"23. Refunded on cancelled policies, $237*57. Balanceof 
cash premiums, $22,237*84. A dividend of 30 per cent was declared on 
all risks of the first class, and 20 per cent on those of the second class 
which expired previous to Jan. 1, 1852. The company is responsible 
for the correctness of the surveys made by its agents, in this particular 
differing from some other mutual companies. Losses are allowed to the 
full amount insured. 

The JVorth American Mutual Insurance Company. — Was organized at 
Brasher Falls, July 1, 1851, up to Oct. 1, 1852, it had issued 1386 
policies, and had at that time at risk $897,562*50. 

The Franklin County Mutual Insurance Company. — Was incorporated, 
May 12, 1836, with Benjamin Clark, Hiram Horton, Jonathan Stearns, 
Jacob Wead, Aaron Beaman, Jonathan Thompson, WilHam King, 
Sylvester Langdon, Jonathan Wallace, Henry N. Brush, Sidney Law- 
rence, Joseph Plumb, Timothy Beamar, directors. The business was 
to be carried on at Malone. The details of the provisions of this act 
were made to be like those of the Jefferson County Mutual Insurance 
Company, passed in March, previous. Policies were not to be issued 
until applications amounting to $50,000 had been received, and the du- 
ration of the act was limited to twenty years. An organization was 



530 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

effected under this act, in June, ]83(), by a meeting convened at the 
academy, and lias continued in operation since. Benjamin Clark, Asa 
Hiiscall, Jose|)h 11. .fackson, Samuel C Wead, William King, and Abijah 
White, have been successively elected presidents. Uriah D. Meeker, A. 
B. Parmelee, and D. N. Huntington, have held the otJice of secretary, 
and Jonathan Wallace, Benjamin Clark, D. N. Huntingtoii and Albert 
Andrus, that of treasurers. The last mentioned of each of the above are 
the present officers, up to Oct., 1852, it had issued about 4,200 policies, 
and has now^ about $1,000,000 worth of property covered by insurance, 
mostly in Franklin county. Within the last year, it has issued about 
900 policies and paid $2,400 on losses. 

Banks. — The wants of the county led the supervisors in 1825, to yjass 
a resolution in which they asserted the unsound state of their currency 
which mostly consisted of Canada bills, from which loss constantly en- 
sued and set forth the claims of Northern New York, to the benefits of 
the corporate i)rivileges of banks. Passed by a vote of 11 to 7. On the 
30th of April, 1829, the Ogdensburgh Bank, was incorporated for 30 years, 
capital $100,000, in 2,000 shares. Horace Allen, Amos Bacon, David C. 
Judson, Baron S. Doty, and Wm. Bacon, were appointed to open books 
for subsci'iption of stock. This banl^vent into operation soon after, and 
has continued business without interruption. It is the only safety fund 
bank in the two counties. 

On the 9th of Oct., 1838, articles of association were filed for a new 
bank, to commence operation Oct. 15, 1838, and continue 100 years, 
capital $100,000, in 1,000 shares, and to be managed by 21 directors, 
one third of whom to be chosen annually. It began to issue bills in 
Jan., 1839. The name assumed was The St. Lawrence Bank. After 
continuing business two or three years, it became insolvent, and ita 
affairs were closed up. 

On the 26th of Feb., 1841, The Franklin Bank, of Fort Covington, was 
to have begun operations, and continued till Nov. 2, 2301, on a capital of 
$100,000, in 2,000 shares, held by four citizens of Lewis county, but this 
never went into operation. The Bank of Rossie, projected by Samuel 
Linscott of Albany, was designed to commence business, April 15, 1841, 
with a capital of $100,000, but never organized. The Citizen's Bank, 
lately doing business in Ogdensburgh, was organized in Jefferson oounty, 
and in August, 1852, removed to Fulton, Oswego county. The Drover's 
Bank, \now at Ogdensburgh, was originally established in Chautau- 
que county. Circulation, Dec. 1, 1851, $98,887. 

The Frontier Bank, of Potsdam, begun by Henry Keep, at Water- 
town, and removed to this place about May 1, 1851, owned by J. C. 
Dann, of Sackett's Harbor, H. P. Alexander, of Rockton,and Bloomfield 
Usher, of Potsdam, circulating, Dec. 1, 1851, $61,633. The Bank of 
Malone, was established in Sept. 1851, at Malone, and was owned by 
about 40 individuals, securities $35,110.80 in mortgages, and $65,000 in 
United States and New York stocks. The first directors were S. C. 
Wead, Hiram Horton, Wm. King and Wm. Andrus, of Malone, L. 
Fish, of Bangor, Henry B. Smith, of Chateaugay, G. A. Austin, of Or- 
well, Vt., O. A. Burton, of St. Albans, Vt., and D. P. Noyes, of Burling- 
ton, Vt.; S. C. Wead, president, Wm. A. Wheeler, cashier. A majority 
of the directors must reside in the county. This is the first bank for doing 
business in the county that has been established, and it is found eminent- 
ly useful. The Franklin County Bank, principally owned abroad, and 
like the following, having no office of discount and deposit in the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES* 531 

county, was founded several yeai*s since, but is mostly closed. In Dec, 
1851, it reported a circulation of $2,811. The. JVbrthern Bank of JVew 
Yffrk, with a nomiaal existence at Madrid, but owned abroad, and with 
no office or circulation in the county, in Dec, 1851, re)3orted $39,000 in 
circulation. The JVoi'lhern Exchange Bank of Brasher Fallsj of the same 
character as the preceding, reported $132,925 in circulation. 

The Press. 

The first paper published in St. Lawrence county, was the Palladium, 
by John C. Kipp, and Timothy C. Strong, of Middlebury, Vt,, who were 
iurnished by David Parish and Daniel W. Church, with nioney to pur- 
chase a press and erect a building for the purpose of printing a paper in 
1810. The enterprise was started in December of that year. The 
printers had a small quantity of type; Mr. Church built the office and 
sent for the press, while Mr. Parish furnished the nioney with which to 
begin business. Strong continued in the concern less than a year, when 
his partner took the office alone, and sold in the fall of 1812 to John P. 
Sheldon. The first paper was printed on a sheet 11 by 17^ inches, and 
had but two pages, Sheldon enlarged it to a folio, but difficulties being 
experienced in getting regular supplies of paper, many of the numbers 
were issued on a common foolscap sheet. It was printed on an old 
fashioned wooden press, published weekly, and distributed through the 
county by a foot post, an old Swiss about 60 years of age, acting as 
carrier. Sheldon discontinued his paper about 1814. From several 
numbers of this paper before us, it is learned that it was Federal in 
politics and denounced the war. For a time it had but three columns 
and two pages of 7 by II inches, exclusive of margin. 

David R. Strachan and Piatt B. Fairchild, purchased a Ramage press 
of James Bogart, of the Geneva Gazette, and commenced in Dec, 1815 a 
weekly paper under the title of the St. Lawrence Gazette, a small folio 
sheet, 20 by 25 inches, 5 colums to the page, at $2 per annum. Fair- 
child subsequently withdrew, and the paper was continued by the 
remaining x'l'blisher, until April 12, 1826, when Dan. SpafFord and 
James C. Barter purchased the office and continued the jiaper without 
change of name or size, till Dec, 1829, when SpafFord became publisher 
and continued it till about the 1st of January, 1830. He then sold it to 
Preston King, who had also purchased the St. Laivrence Republican pre- 
viously issued at Potsdanj. The Gazette thus ceased to exist, and the 
press on which it had been printed was laid away, and finally destroyed 
in the great fire of 1839. It espoused the cause of Mr. Adams, after his 
election in 1824, and advocated his reelection in 1828.' Its politics were 
changed to republican on its union with the other paper.* 

The JVorthern Light, an anti-masonic paper, was begun at Ogdensburgh, 
July 7. 1831, (20 by 26 inches), by W. B. Rogers, and in October, 183l' 
was assumed by A. Tyler and A. B. James, who published it about a 
year, when the latter became its editor. On the 10th of April, 1834 its 
name was changed to The Times, and at the end of the 4th volume it 
was enlarged to six columns, and its title changed to the Ogdensburgh 
Times. In July, 1837, Dr. Tyler again became associated with Mr. James 

* The author is indebled to a work entitled, The Typographical Miscellany, byj. Mun- 
sell, Albany, 1850, for numerous facts concerning the press of St. Lawrence couniy. They 
were prepared for that work by Mathew W. TiUotson, of Ogdensburgh, one of the present 
publishers of the St. Lawrence Republican. A very minute and extensive account Was also 
furnished by Win. H. AVallace, Esq. of Poisdarn. 



532 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

and tlie name was again changed to the Times and AdveHiser. In July, 
1838. Dr. Albert Tyler became its sole publisher, and continued until 
March, 1844, when it was transferred to Foote and Seely, and it became 
the Frontier Sentinel. Upon the change of parties about 1834, tliepoliticB 
of the paper became Whig, and it has continued till the |)resent time, to 
be the organ of thatpai-ty in the county, under the Ibllowiug names: 

The Frontier Sentinel begun April 2, 1844, by Foote and Seeley, (six 
columns folio), at $1 per annum. Mr. Stephen B. Seeley, of the above 
firm, died August 17, 1844, and the paper was thenceforth continued by 
Henry G. Foote. On the 8th of June, 1847, the name was changed to 
the Ogdensburgh Sentinel, under whicli it has continued till the present 
time. It was at the same time enlarged to eight columns, and the price 
increased to $]*75. On the 27th of November, 1849, this paper was 
transferi'ed to Stillman Foote, by whom it has been continued till the 
present time. In June, 1850, the price was reduced to $1. It has been 
printed since 1847, on an Adams power press. 

The Dally Sentinel was the first attempt to establish a daily paper in 
St. Lawrence count}'. It was started April 14, 1848, by S. Foote, at one 
cent per number, and continued until Sept. 14, of the same year. Its 
jjages were nearly square, and three colunms in width. It was made up 
Irom the matter prepared for the weekly sheet, with a few advertisements. 
The St. Lawrence Budget, a very small advertising sheet, was issued from 
the press of the Sentinel, semi-monthly, for about two years. In 1850-1. 

The Meteorological Register, was the title of a monthly quarto, com- 
menced January 1, 1839, by J. H. Coflin, then principal of the Academy, 
and now of Fayette College, Easton, Pa. It was devoted to scientific in- 
quiries, and continued but four numbers. It was issued by one of the 
printing offices in the village. This highly meritorious publication is be- 
lieved not to have received the patronage which rendered its continuance 
practicable, although conducted with an ability very creditable to its 
editor. The Ogdensburgh Forum, was commenced Apr'il 24, J 848, by A. 
Tyler, to support the Whig party, and the interests of Gen. Taylor. It 
was of small sized folio, in small type, and at first issued tri-weekly and 
weekly, at $1*50, and 50 cts per annum. When first started it was issued 
in the quarto form, with four pages to the sheet, but at the end of six 
months the tri-weekly was discontinued, and after the first year the folio 
form was adopted. It was discontinued in February, 1851. The ofiice 
from which this paper was issued had been supplied with new furniture 
com[)lete, and was at first designed for a job ofiice only, and it was the 
first attempt to establish an office of this kind in St. Lawrence county. 
After the paper was stopped it continued to do job work until 1852, when 
it was sold and removed to Gouverneur. 

I he first attempt to establish a daily paper in St. Lawrence county of 
a character com[)arable with the daily press of the cities, was made in 
March, 1852, by Wm. N. Oswell, a former editor of the St. Lawrence 
Kepublican, assisted by Mr. Fayette Robinson, in the editorial department. 
It was entitled the Daily Morning JVews; professed neutrality in politics, 
and was conducted with an ability and enterprise which entitled it to a 
liberal support.- The presses, tjpe and furniture of this office were new. 
In September, 1852, was commenced the issue from the press of the 
Daily News, a large sheet, neutral in politics, and devoted to literary and 
general intelligence, by the name of The Weekly JVetvs, by William N. 
Oswell. The latter paper soon after was temporarily suspended, but 
again issued in a smaller sheet, and continued as a daily paper. Both of 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 533 

the^e are believed to be now discontinued. The O^densburgh Daily 
Times, a second daily paper, was bejrun October 18, 1852, by William 
Yeaton and Warren Dow, and was printed at the Republican office. It 
proposed to act independent in politics, and the first number was a small 
folio, five columns to the yjage, and appeared to be edited with ability, but 
the publication was arrested by a disastrous fire alter one or two issues. 

The Potsdam Gazette was begun .January 13, 1816, (neutral in politics), 
by Frederick C. Powell, 18 by 22 inches, fi-om a screw press made by J. 
Ouram, in Philadelphia, and bought in New York for $150. It was dis- 
continued in April, 1823. It was issued weekly, and contained four 
columns to the page. Zenas Clark was connected with it a few months. 
In January, 1824, Mr. Powell commenced issuing from the same pi-ess, a 
neutral paper, 20 by 24 inches, four columns folio, entitled The Potsdam 
American, which afterwards was published by Powell and Reddington, 
discontinued in April, 1829. In May, 1829, Elias Williams issued from 
this press and of the same size as the last, an anti-masonic weekly entitled 
The Herald, which continued but from May 29 till August. In April, 
1830, Wm. Hughes y)rinted on the same press an anti-masonic weekly 
called The Patriot. It was 20 by 26 inches, five columns to the page, and 
was stopped early in 1831, when the press was removed to Ogdensburgh, 
by W. B. Rogers, and used in publishing the JVoHhern Light. This was 
afterwards sold to Judge Buell, of Brockville, for $25, and used for job 
work, and its place supplied in 1834, by an iron No. 3, Sijiith press. 

The St. Lawrence Republican was commenced in Potsdam, in the fall of 
1826, or early in the following year, by Wm. H. Wyman, on a Royal 
press. It was afterwards published in company with Jonathan Wallace, 
as a republican paper in opposition to the St. Lawrence Gazette, and was 
the first democratic paper in the colmty. It was 20 by 29 inches, 
weekly, and distributed by a post. In the summer of 1827, it went 
into the hands of Mr. Wallace, and in the winter of 1828, Wyman became 
the proprietor. In 1827 it Avas removed to Canton, and printed awhile 
as the Canton Advertiser and St. Lawrence Republican, and in 1830, to Og- 
densburgh, where it was published by Preston King, until January, 1833. 
Samuel Hoard then purchased it. Up to this time, and until May follow- 
ing, this i)aper had been printed on a Ramage press, bought for $40 in 
New York, in 1826. It had a stone bed for its form, which being broken, 
it was replaced by a wooden plank. In May, 1833, Mr. Hoard brought 
from Fort Covington, an iron Smith press, and enlarged it to 21^ by 32 
inches. In 1834, he took into partnership F. D. Flanders, the present 
editor of the Franklin Gazette. In Decetnber, 1834, it was taken by M. 
W. and J. M. Tillotson, and published two years, when the former with- 
drew, and it was continued by J. M. Tillotson until the fall offl841. In 
April, 1839, the establishment was consumed by fire, but early in the 
summer resumed, and enlarged to 23| by 86 inches, and with seven 
columns to the page. The new press was a Washington press, by Hoe & 
Co. In the fall of 1841, Franklin B. Hitchcock and Henry M. Smith, 
purchased the office, and issued it until July 16, 1848, when the former 
withdrew, and his place was taken by Wm. N. Oswell, who published 
the paper until December 3, 1851, when Hitchcock repurchased of Os- 
well, and it was continued by him and Smith till March 17, 1852. Mr. 
Smith's health then failing, he sold his share toM. W. Tillotson, a formef 
proprietor, and it has since been continued by Hitchcock and Tillotson. 
While owned by Smith & Oswell, a steam power press by Hoe & Co., 
was procured. In the last and most destructive of the fires in Ogdens- 
burgh in October, 1852, this office was again consumed, but the paper 
was continued on a small half sheet a short time, and is at the date of 



634 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

writing (January, 1853), j)ublished in folio, 22 by 25 inches, five columns 
to the page. Before its late disaster, this paper had attained a size, and 
was conducted with an ability that would compare favorably with any 
weekly paper in the country. It is proposed to enlarge it and provide new 
materials for an office during the coming season. This j)aper has long 
been the official organ of the democratic party of the county. 

In 1827, while Mr. Wallace was publishing the St. Lawrence Republi- 
can, he issued a semi-monthly folio, 13 by 20 inches, called The Day 
Star. It was a Universalist paper, and continued six months, when it 
was united with the Gospel Advocate of Utica. While this paper was 
being published the press was removed to Canton. 

In July 1832, C. C. Bill, started a whig paper in Canton, called the 
JVorthern Telegraph, and after printing it a time, sold his interest to Or- 
lando Squires, who commenced publishing a democratic paper on the 
same press, which was called The Canton Democrat, who continued it a 
short time. A paper called The Luminary of the JVorth, was published 
here in July 1834. The St. Lawrence Democrat, a whig paper owned by 
several individuals, and published by Edgar A. Barber, was commenced 
in September 1840, and its publication finally ceased in April 1842. It 
was printed on a No. 3 Washington press. The JVorthern Cabinet, and 
Literary Repositonj, a neutral and literary paper, was begun at Canton, 
Jan. 2, 1843, by Charles Boynton, in the quarto form, semi-monthly, at 
$1 per annum. The press and materials were the same as those which 
had been used in Mr. Barber's paper. On the 11th of April, 1844, Mr. 
Boynton commenced issuing The Enquirer, and Tariff Advocate, a cam- 
paign paper devoted to the whig party, and continued only till the No- 
vember, following. It was a small folio, terms 50 cts., and issued from 
the same press as the preceding. In consequence of this the Cabinet be- 
came unpopular with the democratic party, and it was removed at the end 
of the second year to Potsdam, and continued weekly on the same plan as 
before, one year, when it was changed to folio. The literary matter of this 
folio was issued on a semi-monthly octavo in covers, — double columns — 
with title and index one year, under the name of The Repository, which 
was commenced July 20, 1846. At the end of the fourth volume, the 
Cabinet was sold to Wm. L. Knowles, and thenceforth issued under 
the name of The St. Lawrence Mercury. Mr. Knowles continued its pub- 
lication two years, when he sold to William H. Wallace, who continued 
to publish it about two years longer under the samejname, when he sold, 
in June, 1851, the establishment to H. C. Fay, who changed the name 
to The St Lawrence Journal, and continued its issue till July 1852, when 
it was united with the Potsdam Courier. It professed to be neutral in 
politics. 

The Potsdam Courier was commenced by Vernon Harrington, in fall of 
1851, and continued till July 1852, when it was combined with the 
Journal. It was issued from the same press which had been previously 
used at Gouverneur. It was neutral in politics. The Potsdam Courier 
and Journal formed in July 1852, by the union of the Courier and Jour- 
nal, and published by Harrrington & Fay, is at present the only paper 
published in Potsdam. It professes to be neutral in politics, and is con- 
ducted with much ability. Terms $1 per year. 

The Philomathean, a literary magazine, conducted by the Philomathean 
society of the St. Lawi-ence Academy, was started in the spring of 1849, 
and continued several numbers. It was made of selected productions 
of the members of the society. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 535 

It was proposed to be issued at the end of each academic term, or 
three numbers in a year, at a subscription price of 37^ cts. 

Th- JVorthern JVew Yorker, a small folio weekly paper, neutral in poli- 
tics, was commenced at Gouverneur, April 26, 1849, with the same 
press and materials which had been used in the Carthage papers several 
years previous. Published by W. M. Goodrich, and M. F. Wilson, and 
edited by Charles Anthony. Terms $1. At the end of the first vol- 
ume it was undertaken by N. J. Bruett, who enlarged it one column, 
and continued it but twelve numbers. A very small sheet was continued 
five weeks longer, called the St Lawrence Advertiser, The office was then 
removed to Potsdam. Mr. Wilson commenced May 28, 1850, publishing 
at Columbia village (Madrid), with the press and type formerly used by 
the Theresa Chronicle, 

The True Democrat. It was a small sized folio and professed to sup- 
port the democratic party. At the end of ten months, it was purchased 
by O. L. Ray, and its politics changed from democratic to neutral. At 
the end of a year its name was changed to the Columbian Independent, and 
continued a year longer under the same title, when it was removed to 
Canton, and the name ag-ain changed to the Canton Independent, under 
which it is now published. Like the other county papers now 
published, is issued at $1 per annum. The Canton Weekly Citizen was 
the tide of a very small folio, attempted to be published at Canton, 
commenced with the 1st of Jan. 1852, by J. S. Sargent. It continued 
four weeks. 

The Labourer, is the title of a small but spirited weekly sheet, estab- 
lished at Gouverneur in July 1852, by Martin Mitchell, a gentleman well 
qualified to conduct a journal. It is issued from the same press as that 
which had been used in the Ogdensburgh Forum, and as a job press at 
Ogdensburgh. In 1852, it became the organ of the Free Soil movement, 
in Northern New York. 

T%e Franklin Telegraph, the first paper ever published in Franklin 
county, was commenced at Malone, in 1824, on a Ramage press — had 
four columns to the page, and claimed to be national republican or whig, 
in politics. Its publisher was Francis Bui-nap. Upon the rise of the , 
anti-masonic party, it supported that cause, and was published a short 
time by Elias Williams, as the organ of that party when Williams re- 
moved to Potsdam, and published an anti-masonic paper there a short 
time. The JVorthern Spectator was started at Malone, by John G. Clay- 
ton, who was sent from New York, with a new press and office com- 
plete, by William L, Stone, of the Commercial Advertiser, in the Spring 
of the year 1830. At the end of about two years, it passed into the 
hands of George P. Allen, and subsequently was issued by Frederick P. 
Allen. It was ifrom the time of its first issue, devoted to the interest of 
the whig party and continued to be so after the change of name. Tt 
was discontinued in February 1835, and in the following month The 
Palladium was commenced with the same office by F. P. Allen, who 
continued to publish it ten- years. March 1845, Mr. F. T. Heath, became 
the proprietor, and June, 1850, J. J. Seaverjbecame a partner. It is now 
published by Heath andSeaver, and is the organ of the whig party in the 
county. This and the Pranklin Gazette, were very lately the only papers 
published in the county, and for size, mechanical execution, and editorial 
management, they will compare favorably with any of the weekly issues 
from the country press. 

The first newspaper published in Fort Covington was the Franklin 



536 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Republican, which was started in the spring of 1827, by J. K. Averill, 
upon a press from Plattsburgh. It had four columns to the page, and 
was pubhshed at $2*50 per annum. It was continued till June 1833. 
Six months after its commencement it was bought by Samuel Hoard, and 
James Long, but the latter continued but about a half year, and during 
the last year Mr. Hoard was reassociated with F. D. Flanders. Its poli- 
tics were democratic. 

The Franklin Gazette was begun in the fall of 1837, at Fort Covington, 
by F. D. Flanders, at $1.75 i)er annum; five columns to the page. It 
was democratic in politics. In the fall of 1847, it was removed to JVIa- 
loue, i)revious to which it had been [)rinted on a Ramage press, hut on 
its removal it was enlarged; a Smith press, previously used in the Senti- 
nel office in Ogdensburgh, was procured, and it was published one year 
by Mr. Flanders, in company with Mr. Blaisdell. Since 1848, it has 
been published by Mr. FJanders alone. It has at present six columns 
to the i)age, and is published at $1 per annum. In state politics it has 
claimed to belong to the barnburner section of the democratic party, but 
in 1848, it advocated the election of General Cass to the presidency. 
A small paper called The Messenger, was published in 1850, at Fort 
Covington, at first by J. D. Fisk, and afterwards by J. S. Sergeant. It 
was continued a year, when it was discontinued and the press removed 
to Canton. It claimed to be independent in politics. At first it bore 
the title of Salmon River Messenger. 

The Jeffersonian, is the title of a new democratic paper, recently es- 
tablished at Malone, in Jan. 1853. No particulars could be procured in 
time for our use in the work. 

History op Academies. 

The St. Lawrence Jicademy owes its origin to the spirited efforts of Ben- 
jamin Raymond, who in 1810 erected, at his own expense, a building for 
public purposes, and in the spring of 1812, employed Rev. James John- 
son, of Lynn, Mass., a graduate of Harvard college, as a teacher and 
clergyman, entirely at his own cost. In December, 1812, a subscription 
was started to i-aise $5,000, in shares of $10 each, and Mr. Raymond 
headed the list by signing 100 shares, including the lot and building he 
had erected. Liberty Knowles, Azel Lyman, Samuel Pease, Robert 
McChesney, Benj. Burton, Anthony Y. Elderkin, Joseph P. Reynolds, 
Wm. Smith, James Johnson, Reuel Taylor, Pierce Shepard, Lemuel 
Pinney, John Burroughs, Sevvall Raymond, David Parish, and Jacob 
Redington, each took ten shares. Eighteen others took shares of less 
number, making an aggregate of 312 shares. 

In January, 1813, a petition for incorporation was presented, but this 
being lost or mislaid, oh the 4th of April, 1816, a petition was again pre- 
sented, and was successful. In this it is stated, that a lot nearthe centre 
of the village had been conditionally pledged to the trustees, on which 
was a building 36 feet by 24, having at one end a porch, with a belfry 
and cupola, and that there had been expended upon said building more 
than $700. A resolution of the town meeting was forwanled, praying 
that the lands in town reserved for literary purposes might be conveyed 
to the academy as a permanent fund. Benjamin Raymond, Liberty 
Knowles, Pierce Shepard, Azel Lyman, Joseph P. Reynolds, Sewall Ray- 
mond, Robert McChesney, David Parish, Nathan Ford, Louis Hasbrouek, 
Roswell Hopkins, Russell Attwater, and Ebenezer Hulburd, were re- 
commended as trustees, and the name suggested for the institution was 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 539 

the St. Lawrence Academy. This led to an act of incorporation with 
the above names as trustees, and a grant of the literature lot, which was 
never to be sold, but leased. It was found impossible to effect this, 
because land could be bought on reasonable terms, and none but 
loose and irresponsible characters could be found willing to become 
tenants, subject to an annual tribute. The trustees were accord- 
ingly, by an act of April 5, 1828, authorized to sell the lot, in whole or 
in part, and convey iu fee simple, or otherwise, the lot of land previously 
granted, and invest the avails in a pei-manent fund, the annual income of 
which should be applied to the payment of the wages of tutors in the 
academy, and for no other purpose. 

At the first meeting of the trustees. Sept, 17,1816, it was resolved, 
"that the senior trustee and clerk, be directed to lease the land granted 
by the legislature, in lots not exceeding sixty acres each, for any term of 
time not exceeding fourteen years, for an annual rent of one peck of 
wheat per acre, after the first two years, payable at the village in this 
town on the first day of February, in each year. A preceptor was to be 
employed for one year, commencing on the first Monday in October 
next, on a salary ot $420, and the prices of tuition were fixed at the fol- 
lowing rates, viz: "Reading and writing, $2*50; English grammar, 
cyphering, mathematics, and book-keeping, $3; dead languages, $3*50; 
logic, rhetoric, composition, moral philosophy, natural philosophy, and 
French language, $4." On the 30th of Sept., 1816, a code of by-laws 
was adopted, which among other things provided, that none should be 
admitted as students who could not stand in a class and read in plain 
English readings; and that application for admission should be made in 
writing. Stated attendance at the church where the preceptor worshiped 
was required, unless a desire was expressed in writing by the parents or 
guardians of students, if minors, or by the students themselves, if 21 
years of age, for the privilege of attending elsewhere. Strict ob:^erv- 
ance nf the Sabbath day and evening, and of Saturday evening, was en- 
joined, and strict morality was requii'ed. 

On the 24th of April, 1818, a seal was adopted having for its device a 
pair of globes, and the inscription " St. Lawrence Academy, 1816," 
around them. Nahan Nixon, from Middlebury college, was employed by 
the trustees as the first preceptor in the fall term of 1816, and remained 
one year. At this period the trustees were unable to secure the services 
of any teacher whom they considered fitted for the station, and two years 
elapsed without a school being maintained. In the fall of 1819, the ser- 
vices of Levi S. Ives, now the Episcopal bishop of North Carolina, were 
secured, and he remained two years. On the 28th of January, 1822, the 
trustees petitioned the legislature, praying for the additional grant of the 
literature lots of Louisville and Stockholm, but failed. 

In the fallof 1821, Charles Orvis, a graduate of Hamilton college, and 
at present a physician in Marti nsburgh, Lewis county, was employed for 
one year, when the Rev. Daniel Banks succeeded and remained till his 
death in August, 1827. On the 25th of April, 1825, the first action was 
taken towards erecting a new building, and through the efforts of the 
Hon. Silas Wright in the senate, and the members from our two counties, 
procured a law April 9, 1825, requiring $2,500 to be raised by the sale 
of reserved literature lots, for the academy, on condition that a brick or 
stone edifice, worth at least $3,000 be first erected on ground owned by 
the trustees. The thanks of the board were tendered to Messrs. Wright, 
Vanden Heuvel, and Hascall, for their efforts in procuring this aid; and 
proposals were advertised for erecting a stone edifice to be 68 by 36 feet, 



540 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

four stories high including the basement. The contract was taken by 
Samuel Partridge, to be built under the direction and subject to the ac- 
ceptance of L. Knowles, J. C. Smith and J. P. Reynolds, It is the one 
on the north side of the Presbyterian church, and fronting on the public 
square. The site of the St. Lawrence academy forms a part of a plat 
given the town by the proprietors for that purpose, and held in trust by 
the commissioners of highways. The latter were empowered by an^act 
of April 20, 182.5, to convey such portion as they might deem necessary, 
as a site for the erection of academic buildings. The corner stone of 
the new edifice was laid with masonic ceremonies, by Harmony lodge, 
on the 1st of June, 1825. Present, the trustees of the academy and seve- 
ral clergymen from the neighboring towns, and a large concourse of 
spectators. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Petti bone, of Hopkinton, now of 
Canton. There was deposited under the stone a leaden box inclosing 
a glass jar, corked and sealed, containing several manuscripts, ])amphlets 
and papers, among which was a copy of the Hariford Courant, containing 
the "stamp act," and Washington's farewell address, and also a silver 
plate, on which was neatly engraved the following inscription: 

" Town of Potsdam, county of St. Lawrence, state of New York. 
Settlement of this town commenced by Benjamin Raymond, Esq., from 
Mass., A. D. 1803. St. Lawrence Academy chartered by the state 
through his influence, A. D. 1816. Present trustees, Liberty Knowles, 
Pierce Shepard, Azel Lyman, Joseph P. Reynolds, Sewall Raymond, 
David Parish, Roswell Hopkins, Ebenezer Hulburd, Samuel Partridge, 
Horace Allen, John C. Smith, John Fine, J. A. Vanden Heuvel. Rev. 
Daniel Banks, principal; Mr. Noah Cushman, assistant. This edifice 
erected A. D, 1825 ; expense, $4,000. Alanson Fisher, mason ; Grey C. 
Noble, joiner. This village contains 400 inhabitants; the whole town 
2,700. De Witt Clinton, governor of the state. ' In prosperitate litera- 
turarum, salutem reipublicae cousistere.' June 1, 1825. J. Davidson, 
engraver." 

An appropriate address was delivered by the Rev. James McAuley, of 
Ogdensburgh. Last prayer by Rev. Roswell Pettibone, of Hopkinton. 
Ceremony completed by sacred music, by a large choir of singers, ac- 
companied by the Potsdam band. 

Mr. Banks's place was filled till the close of 1827, by Joseph Hopkins, 
who had been previously employed as an assistant. In the early part 
of 1828, Mr. Asa Brainerd, from Danville, Vt., a graduate of the university 
of Vermont, was employed, and continued to fill the^post of preceptor 
until 1847. He is now at the head of a female seminary in Norwalk, 
Ohio. Wm. H. Parker, who for eight or ten years had been professor 
of languages in the academy, was appointed principal, and held that 
office two years, when he was succeeded by Wra. F. Bascom, the pre- 
sent principal. At an early period a teacher's class was formed lor pre- 
paring instructors for common schools. 

In 1835, this academy was selected by the Regents of the University 
for the establishment of a teacher's department in the 4th senate district, 
and the trustees took measures to provide facilities for it, by increasing 
the number of teachers, and the erection of the stone building south of 
The church. In their official report of 1837, the regents specially com- 
mended this academy for its success in forming a teacher's department, 
and referx'ed to it as an evidence of the utility of the plan. The town at 
their annual meeting in 1835, adopted a petition for a law authorizing a 
tax upon the town of $500, in each of the years 1836 and '7, for the pur- 
pose of erecting an additional academic building, to accommodate the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 541 

prospective wants of this department. An act was accordingly passed, 
authorizing this tax, and in 1836, the academic building south of the 
church was erected. It is four stories high, 76 by 36 feet, having in the 
lower story, a lecture room 32 by 39 feet; a recit.uion room 23i feet; 
an apparatus room 23 by 18^ feet ; a fire-jjroof laboratory 16 by % feet ; 
and another room of the same size. The other stories were mostly de- 
voted to rooms for students. The cost of this was reported $5,200, to 
pay which the tax of $1,000 and a subscription of $1,605, mostly among 
the trustees, was applied. The expenses thus incurred hung as a heavy 
burden upon the trustees until 1849, when an appropriation of $2,000 
was received from the state treasury, by which it has been mostly re- 
lieved from debt. The teachers' department has been eminently useful, 
liaving furnished during the last twenty-Jive years, on an aoerage of 100 
teachers atmually for common schools. A professorshij) of matiiematics, 
and another of languages were instituted in 1835, with the view of in- 
creasing the facilities of this department. 

TTie Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, resulted from a movement began 
March 31, 1826, on which date a subscription was drawn up for procuring 
iuhds to build a second story to the brick school house (then erecting) for 
academical purposes, and to be under the control of the subscribers. 
Every $10 entitled to one vote. By this means $540 or 54 shares were 
raised, and in November of that year, it was resolved that the new insti- 
tution should bear the name of the Gouverneur Union Academy, Xo be 
controlled by three trustees elected on the first Tuesday of October, an- 
nually. This measure was not effected without considerable opposition 
from several inhabitants, who professed a strong attachment to the com- 
mon schools, and attributed to academies an aristocratic tendency subver- 
sive of the general good. Some of these opposers have lived long 
enough to be ashamed of their conduct. The room was completed in 
1827, and a school opened by a Mr. Ruger, a brother of the mathematician. 
He was succeeded by a Mr. Morgan. On the 25th of April, 1828, this 
academy was incorporated by the legislature under the name of the 
Gouverneur High School. John Spencer, Aaron Rowley, David Barrell, 
Harvey D. Smith, Josiah Waid, Alba Smith, Almond Z. Madison, Robert 
Conantand Joel Keyes, and their associates,were by this act incorporated 
as a body politic for the purposes of academical education, with a capital 
limited at $20,000 in shares of $10 each, which were to be deemed per- 
sonal property. The institution was to be governed by nine trustees, 
chosen annually on the first Monday of September, and the persons 
named in the act were to be considered trustees until others were elected. 
Jn the autumn of the same year Isaac Green was employed as a teacher, 
with whatever salary might accrue from tuitions, and a free use of the 
school room in the brick school house was granted for the first term. On 
the 19th of February, 1829, the trustees made a formal application to the 
Regents of the University for a participation in the benefits of the litera- 
ture fund, subject to their visitation. This request was accepted, and 
bears date from the time of application. The premises in the brick 
building being found inadequate to the wants of the school, efforts were 
made in the summer of 1830, to erect a new building on a scale commen- 
surate with the prospective requirements of the institution. On the 6th 
of September in that year, 275^ shares, $2,755, had been subscribed for 
this purfiose, and it was resolved to undertake a new building. The 
trustees at this period received proposals from Mr. Joseph Hopkins, a 
graduate of Hamilton College, who had previously been engaged as a 
teacher at Potsdam, in which this gentleman offered to subscribe $800 to 
33 



542 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the stock of the institution, on condition that apartments for a family 
should be comprised in tlie plan, and that he should have the control of 
tlie school. His plan was to consti-uct three long one story buildings, 
with a colonnade on each side, and so placed as to form three sides of an 
open court or square. A plan proposed by Mr. Philip Kearney, with 
modifications, was adopted. This consisted of a main building 30 by 40 
feet, two stories high, the lower of 12 the upper of 10 ieet. On each side 
was a wing 28 feet square, two stories high, with eight study rooms each. 
In consequence of the change of plan, $400 of Mr. Hopkin's subscrip- 
tion was relinquished. At this time the trustees possessed but barely 
enough funds to erect the tvalls and roof, but trusting in the sentiment in the 
motto of their seal,* that "brighter hours will come" they expended their 
money for these purposes, relying upon the generosity of the community 
for the means to finish their academy. In ftlarch, 1832, the trustees pe- 
titioned for $1000 from the literature fund of the state, but failed to re- 
ceive it. In April, 1834, che building was completed, and the academy 
went into operation under the charge of Mr. Hopkins, who undertook it 
for the tuition money that might accrue, and the literature money that 
was received from tiie regents. In March, 1837, this gentleman resigned, 
and the trustees on the 29th of that month, entered into a compact with 
individuals representing the Methodist Episcopal denomination to the 
following effect : 

John Loveys, Wra. C. Mason, J T. Peck, C. W. Leet and R. Reynolds, 
acting as a committee ap|)ointed by a convention of ministers of the 
Potsdam district, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, undertook the pa- 
tronage and general care of the school, and engaged to provide the 
means to pay off a mortgage then existing upon the property, and em- 
ploy one or more agents to solicit donations for its better endowment, 
and to engage as speedily as possible, three competent and faithful 
teachers; and that the institution should be open to students of any and 
all religious tenets, without preference. The school was to remain strictly 
a literary institution. 

Lewis B. Parsons, Sylvanus Cone, Charles Goodrich, Harvey D. Smith 
and Ira A. Van Duzee, trustees, agreed that at least 100 shares of stock 
should be transferred conditionally to persons authorized to receive it in 
trust for the Methodist denomination, that Methodists might subscribe to 
any amount within the limits of their charter, and that the chapel might 
be used as a place of stated worship on the sabbath and for quarterly 
meetings, when not interfering with the regular exercises of the school. 
The trustees agreed that until a new election the present board would 
appoint such principal and assistant teachers as the committee should 
designate. It was stipulated that the bell should not be included in 
the property conveyed, as it had been procured by general subscription, 
and did not belong to the trustees. This compact was unanimously con- 
firmed by the stockholders on the same day. The Black river confer- 
ence, under whose care the academy thus came, has never formally sanc- 
tioned it, so as to become liable for its debts, although it has been cus- 
tomary to appoint preceptors and a board of visitors annually. They 
have claimed it in their list of seminaries. 

The Rev. Jesse T. Peck (now president of Dickinson College, Carlisle, 
Pa.,) was appointed the first principal under the new regulations, and the 
institution had become quite prosperous when the building was accident 

* Their seal adopted about this time, had for its device a lantern, with the above words 
a<3uiid it. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 545 

ally burned on the night of the 1st day of January, 1839. By this acci- 
dent most of their apparatus and a valuable cabinet of minerals was de- 
stroyed, but that which was regretted more than any other article, was 
their silver-toned bell, which is still spoken of as having been one of the 
clearest soOnding and most excellent of its kind. At that time it was the 
only one in the place. The institution was at this time heavily in debt, 
and this catastrophe left their financeis in a most deploiable condition. To 
enhance this, an insurance of $1,800 in the Jefferson County Mutual 
Company, was repudiated by some technical quibble, which led to fruit- 
less litigation on the part of the trustees, and loss of reputation on that 
of the company. Their remaining resources were $.500 insurance in 
New York; proceeds of subscription due in 1838-9, $1000; ditto, 1840, 
$800; ditto, 1841, $800. Their debts amounted to $4000. In conse- 
quence of.the fire, the inhabitants at the ensuing town meeting, instructed' 
the trustees to petition the legislature for a loan of $2000, to be refunded 
by a tax within four years. A very full attendance and only five or six 
votes in the negative, bespeak the interest which the citizens felt in this 
measure. This loan was accordingly procured at the following session' 
new subscriptions of $1000 in each of the years 1840 and 1841', were 
collected, and the trustees proceeded the same year to erect and finish 
the present edifice, which is herewith represented. Edwin Dodge, Wm. 
E. Sterling, Jesse T. Peck and Harvey D. Smith, were the building com- 
mittee. 

Meanwhile, the school was not allowed to be interrupted, but temporary 
rooms were fitted up and occupied till the building was completely fin- 
ished. The contemplated cost was $4000, but before finished it 
amounted to $5,500. On the 25th of April, 1840, the name was changed 
by the legislature to its present one. Mr. Peck resigned in December, 
1840, and was succeeded by Loren B. Knox, who was principal till July, 
1842, when the Rev. A. W. Cummings, was elected. He remained till 
July, 1844, when the Rev. J. W. Armstrong, succeeded. This gentleman 
continued to discharge the duties of principal with much success until 
the summer of 1850, when he resigned, and Mr. W. W. Clark, was ap- 
pointed to that oflSce. The academy was long oppi-essed by debts, which 
impaired its usefulness and embarrassed the trustees until 1851, when an 
appropriation of $2000 was obtained from the state, with which they re- 
moved all incumbrances, and it now enjoys exemption from this evil. 
This debt arose in part from the fire and in part from the supposed mis- 
conduct of a fiscal agent. Its present facilities for imparting a thorough 
classical and practical education, are superior, and the quiet, moral and 
intelligent community in which it is located, render it ])eculiarly worthy 
of patronage. It is enjoying a good degree of prosperity'. 

T^e Canton Academy, originated from a subscription circulated in the 
spring of 1831, in which 25 citizens of that town, pledged themselves to 
pay $1250, towards erecting a suitable building for an academic school. 

These subscribers met on the 16th of May, 1831, and adopted articles 
of association in the preamble of which are set forth the advantages of 
education, and the necessity of a literary institution among them. They 
provided that a building should be erected two stories high, with a 
cupola and belfry, and not less than 30 by 50 feet. The subscribers 
wei'e to appoint a chairman and clerk, to hold their office during the 
pleasure of the appointing power. Meetings to be legal must be held 
by adjournment, or by written notice left at the residence (if in Canton), 
of subscribers, indicating the time, place and objects of meeting. The 
proposed building was to be owned in shares of $50 each, and every 



546 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

share was to entitle to one vote. A building committee was to be 
apimitited as soon as practicable, who were to solicit donations, and col- 
lect subscriptions, and to expend them on ihe proposed building, being 
required to render an exact account of their receipts and disbursements. 
To become a partner to the compact, a person was to subscribe his name 
and give his note to one of the buildiftg committee, in substance as" 
follows, viz: "Five dollars payable in the month of August next, and the 
remainder in two annual installments payable in cattle, on or before the 
first day of October, or grain, on or belbre the first day of February 
following." These articles were to continue in force until the school 
should be incorporated, and for this, application was immediately to be 
made, by a committee of three, to be named at the next meeting of the 
subscribers. No subscription was binding until the sum of $1,200 was 
signed, and the site selected for the building. 

Joseph Ames 2d, Isaac C. Paige and Wm. Noble, were appointed a 
building committee, and the present site opposite the county buildings 
was presented to the subscribers by David C. Judson, for that purpose. 
At the same meetings, Hiram S. Johnson, Silas Baldwin, Jun., and 
Minet Jenison, were appointed to solicit an incorporation from the board 
of regents, but the amount of property necessary for this was increased 
about this time, so as to put it beyond their present means to gain this 
object. On the 8th of May, 1835, an act was passed by the legislature, 
authorizing a tax of ^500 upon the town of Canton, for a classical 
school, upon condition that an equal sum should be raised by subscrip- 
tion, which tax when collected should be paid over to the trustees of the 
gospel and school lot, to be safely invested, and the income to be paid 
annually for the support of the academy. A competent school must be 
maintained at least eight months in the year, to entitle it to the avails of 
this fund. The requisite sum was accordingly raised, and invested on 
bond and mortgage. On the 9th of April, 1837, another act was passed, 
authorizing a tax upon the town, of $500 annually, for three years, on 
similar conditions as the previous tax, and the requisite additional sum 
was subscribed. 

An act of incorporation was passed, April 24, 1837, appointing Silas 
Wright, Jun., Minet Jenison, Thomas N. Conkey, Chauncey Foote, 
Thomas D. Oliu, Richard N. Harrison, Daniel Mack, Joseph Ames 2d, 
Simeon D. Moody, Darius Clark, Henry Barber, and Amos G. Smith, 
trustees with the usual powers. Although a charter was not obtained 
luitil 1837, a good classical school had been sustained since 1831, under 
the charge of Messrs. Lockwood, Seymour and Barrett, successively, the 
latter having charge at the date of incorporation. 

In 1839, the trustees purchased a lot of Mr. Judson, adjoining the one 
already in their possession, and erected a building upon it, to be occu- 
pied, a part of it by the female department of the academy, and a part, 
as a boai'diug house. After its completion, it was so occupied, until it 
was burned in Nov. 1844. During the summer of 1845, the building 
first erected was thoroughly repaired, and an addition made to it, for the 
accommodation of the female department, which is found to be a much 
more convenient arrangement than the previous one. This the trustees 
were enabled to do without incurring any liabilities, and they feel a 
satisfaction in still being able to say, that the academy is entirely free 
from debt. The cost of the buildings in their present condition is not 
far from $3,000. The presidents of the board of trustees, have been 
Silas Wright, Minet Jenison, and Thomas H. Conkey. The principals 
employed since the incorporation of the academy, have been George H. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 547 

Wood, 1838 41; David Black, 1841-2; SanfordHalbeit, 1842-3; Charles 
Williams, 1843-4; Franklin Wood, 1844-8; Edward W. Johnson, 1848- 
9; Abel Wood, 1849-50; Franklin Wood, irom 1850 till the present 
time. 

Ogdensourgh Academy. — An act of April 6, 1833, directed that the 
money then in the hands of the supervisor and poor masters of the town 
of Osvvegatchie, should be delivered up to D. C. Judson, S. Gilbert, G. 
N. Seymour, M. S. Daniel and H. Thomas, who were appointed com- 
missioners to receive these moneys, and enough more raised by tax upon 
the town, to make $2000, (on condition that a like sum were first sub- 
scribed in the village), and to purchase therewith a lot and buildings, for 
an academy, one room in the building being reserved for a town hall. 
The inhabitants of each school district in town, not in the village, were 
entitled to credit on the tuition of any scholar from their district, to the 
amount of the interest on the tax of the district. The supervisor and 
town clerk, and the president and clerk of the village, were made ex- 
ofiicio trustees of the Academy, who were to audit the accounts of the 
commissioners and to fill vacancies. On the 24th of April 1834, the 
trustees were empowered to grant licenses for a ferry across the St. 
Lawrence, at the village, the rates and rules of which were to be estab- 
lished by the county court of Common Pleas.. The income was to be 
paid over to the above commissioners, and when their term of office 
should expire, on the fulfilment of the duties for which they were ap- 
pointed, to be paid to the treasurer of the academy. The rights thus 
granted were to continue ten years. On the 20th of April, 1835, the 
academy was incorporated with the following trustees. 

" George Parish, John Fine, David Ford, David C. Judson, Henry 
Van Renssalaer, Royal Vilas, Bishop Perkins, Geo. N. Seymour, Baron 
S, Doty, Elijah B. Allen, William Bacon, Smith Stilwell, Sylvester 
Gillet, Amos Bacon, Thomas J. Davies, Joseph W. Smith, Ransom H. 
Gilbert, James Averill, 3d., Duncan Turner, George Ranney, Joseph 
Rosseel, Rodolphus D. Searle, Edmund A. Graham, James G. Hopkins, 
Siljis Wright, Jr., William Hogau, Gouverneur Ogdeu, George Reding- 
ton, and Augustus Chapman, together with the supervisor and town 
clerk, of the town of Osvvagatchie, and the president and clerk of the 
trustees of the village of Ogdensburgh, for the time being. They were 
clothed with the usual powers of such officers. Those who held by 
virtue of town or village office, were to have the care of the town hall. 
Previous to the ])assage of these acts, an academic school had been es- 
tablished. On the 22d of May, 1834, the trustees at a meeting held at 
Canton, fixed the rent of the ferry at $300 per annum, lor three years, 
commencing with the first of June. This rate has since been repeatedly 
changed, and at present amounts to $250 per annum. 

On the 8th of October, 1834, Tayor Lewis, of Waterford, subse- 
quently a professor of languages in New York University, and at present 
a professor of Greek and Latin in Union College, was appointed the first 
principal, with a salary of $600. On the following May, the trustees 
resolved to have four departments in their schools — two male and two 
female. This arrangement was never fully carried out. The first presi- 
dent of ^he board of trustees, was David C. Judson. He was succeeded 
by John Fine. In the fall of 1837, Mr. Lewis was succeeded by James 
H. Coffin, at present^ vice president and professor in Lafayette College, 
at Easton, Pa. In Februaiy 1838, Mr. Coffin was engaged for one year 
at $800, and on the 1st of April 1839, a new agreement was made by 
which he was to receive whatever income might be derived from tuition, 



4 

548 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

ferry, and literature fund, reserving a sufficient sum for repairs. In the 
spring of 1840, the Rev. J. A. Brayton, was engaged, who continued in 
charge of llie school until Sei)temher 1843, when he resigned, and Mr. 
John Bradshaw was employed in Novemher, of the same year, lie 
continued the principal of the institution until the summer of 184'J, 
wiien Messrs. Hart F. Lawrence, and Hoswell G. Pettibone, entered 
jointly into an agreement with the trustees, in which they assumed the 
care and government of the institution, receiving whatever might accrue 
from tuition, literatiu'e fund and the ferry, excepting only sufficient to 
pay insurance and repairs. Under the direction of these gentlemen, the 
academy still remains, enjoying every facility which the ability and tal- 
ents, of competent teachers can impart. Students from abroad are re- 
ceived as boarders at the academy, and are at all times under the care 
and government of the principal. This academy is free from debt. 
The lion. John Fine president of the board of trustees, has filled this 
office for many years. 

The Academic building, was erected by a company for a hotel io 
1819, and opened in January 1820, as the Saint Lawrence House. 
Upon the organization of the academy it was purchased by the com- 
missioners; the village of Ogdeusburgh conti-ibuting $1000 to its pur- 
chase, with the privilege of the chapel for the use of elections and town 
meetings. This is the town hall of Oswegatchie. The academy is 
pleasantly located on the corner of State and Knox streets, directly op- 
posite the old court house, and commands a beautiful prospect of the 
rivers and surrounding country. It embraces apartments for a family 
chapel, study and recitation rooms, a well selected library, and philo- 
sophical apparatus and every facility needed to impart a good thorough 
and practical education. Tbe only assistance which this Academy has 
received from the regents for the purchase of apparatus, was $250, on 
the 28th of February, 1845. In the summer of 1851, a teachers' depart- 
ment was organized by the regents of the university. 

Franklin Academy. — A building wgs erected for academic purposes in 
1806, and at a specia} town meeting in 1810, the clerk was directed to 
solicit from Richard Harrison, a deed of the lot on which it stood, to be 
conveyed to the county judges until trustees were elected. A deed of four 
acres, exclusive of highways, was executed Oct. 12, 1810. A high 
school was maintained by private enterprise many years, under the name 
of the Harrison Academy. In May 1823, an imsuccessful subscription 
was attempted, and in September 1827, renewed and prosecuted until 
an incorporation was obtained from the regents April, 28, 1831. The 
first charter limited its duration to 20 years, and named Benj. Clark, Asa 
Hascall, Jacob Wead, Hiram Horton, Horatio Powell, John Stearns, 
Richard G. Foote, Samuel Peck, Samuel Hyde, Samuel Green, Oliver 
Westcott, Martin L. Parlin and Francis Burnap, of Malone, James 
Duane, of Duane, Joseph Plumb, of Bangor, first trustees. On the 25th 
of February 1833, an act was passed, granting $2000 from the state 
treasury for rebuilding the academy, which was to be charged as a debt 
against the town of Malone, and to be considered a part of the common 
school fund. To repay this, with 6 per cent interest, the supervisors 
were to levy a tax in 1837-8-9. The trustees had during the year 1836, 
erected the present stone edifice, which is three stories high, and 36 by 
64 feet. It was finished in the following year. On the 15tb of Dec. 
1835, the old building had been injured by a fire. 

The principals employed have been Simeon Bicknell, Nathan S. 
Boyuton, Lorenzo Coburu, Worden Reynolds, Elos L. Winslow, George 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



551 



H. Wood, Daniel B. Gorham. The first charter having expired by hn> 
itation, application was made April 27, 1851, for its renewal, which was 
granted, on the condition that its endowment should never be dimin- 
ished below $2500, that it should never be used for other than acade- 
mical purposes, and that before the 27th of April, 1854 it should be re- 
ported free from debt. The first trustees under the new charter were 
Asa Hascall, Hii-am Horton, R. G. Foote, M. L. Parlin, Wm. King, Wm. 
Plumb, Samuel Fisk, Samuel Field, Thomas> R. Powell, S. C. Wead, 
and S. S. Clark. In 1851, $200 being the balance of the proceeds ot 
the sale of a certain piece of land, formerly given by Cone Aiidrus for 
the use of the town of Malone, but recently sold by the commissary 
general, under the act of 1850, directing the sale of Arsenal lots 
was given, and iu 1852, the premises were graded, and when en- 
closed and planted with trees will be highly ornamental. 

Fort Covington Academy was incorporated 'April 21, 1831. William 
Hogan, John A. Savage, Samuel Hoard, and their associates, were to 
coiistitute a body politic for the promotion of literature, science, and the 
arts, and for improvement in education. Capital limited to $2,000, in 
shares of $25 each. The corporation was to be managed by nineteen 
trustees, and William Hogan, John A. Savage, Samuel Hoard, Hiram 
Safford, Jonathan Wallace, Allen Lincoln, George A. Cheeney, Roswell 
Bates, Jabez Parkhurst, George B. R. Gove, Luther Danforth, David L. 
Seymour, Aretus M. Hitchcock, Benjamin Raymond, James P. Wills, 
Ora F. Paddock, Daniel Noble, Daniel Phelps, and John More, were 
named the first. It was made subject to the visitation nf the regents, and 
entitled to a share of the literature fund. The trustees met and organ- 
ized in May, and to raise the required capital, proposed to take notes of 
those who wished to hold stock, leaving the principal in the hands of 
those who give them, and receiving the interest only. In default of pay- 
ment the whole became due. By this means $2,985 was raised by 45 
notes, and by a resolution of Sept. 2d of that year, the upper room m 
the town house was fitted up for academic purposes. In October, the 
Rev. John A. Savage was appointed principal. His successors have been 
Alex. W. Buel, Daniel Branch, Milton Bradley, H. Dodge, E. H. Squier, 

Millar, John Bradshaw, James C. Spencer, C. S. Sanford, Luther 

Humphrey, and Geo. A. Attwood. In 1831, a quantity of apparatus was 
purchased by the academy and village lyceum for their common use, and 
in the summer of 1832, the present stone edifice was built by permission 
granted by the legislature (April 13, 1832), on a public lot between the 
two rivers in the village. It is of stone, 33 by 44, two stories high, and 
if the common in front of the premises were enclosed and adorned with 
shade trees, would be an ornament to the place. This school has not 
been sustained in a liberal manner, and does not flourish. ^ 

Full returns are required to be made by the several academies to the 
regents, which are published annually, and show in a very satisfactory 
manner the comparative condition of the various institutions from year 
to year. From this source the following tables are derived, only a small 
portion of the returns being embraced. 



552 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



Statistics of the several Academies, from theih official 

REPORTS TO the UeOENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

Column No. 1 denotes the year ; 2 the number of students ; 8 the amount re- 
ceived from literature fund ; ^ debts ; ^tuition', 6 total income. 

St. Lawrence. 



1 



2 i 



1817 
1818 
1819 
1820 
1821 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1825 
1826 227 



1827 
1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 
1834 



42 

35 
114 
97 
89 
173 
172 
139 



90 80 



89* 

110* 

117* 

125* 

110* 

95* 

90* 

98* 



170 
171 
255 
314 
349 
359 
336 
434 
231 
286 
291 



37 
00 
32 
51 
03 
21 
53 
09 
45 
50 
05 



331 



250 
416 
357 



210 
3300 

1006 
1275 
1100 
1413 
1400 
1800 
229 
2248 



600 
500 
600 
800 
763 
900 
1207 
1735 
1532 
1476 
1302 
1044 



720 00 
661 00 
760 00 
1245 32 
1300 00 
1424 03 
1715 65 
2231 55 
2126 49 
1842 79 
1783 51 
1452 05 



1 



1835 
1836 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 



4 15 1 



140* 
82* 
93* 
144* 
156* 
150* 
115* 
115* 
163* 
282 
255 
228 
190 
193 
175 
220 
237 
258 



433 
374 
347 
652 
515 
611 
433 
506 
410 
464 
422 
431 
369 
284 
290 
279 
253 



07 1563 
29 1490 



3880 
4300 
4696 
4547 
4670 
3564 
4506 
4732 
5141 
5125 
13:4453 
52 3840 
2107 
1967 
1549 



1279|1810 07 
1776i2294 29 
1747 2232 75 
1209 1685 00 
212012964 00 



2227 
1461 
1452 



2975 00 
2304 00 
1956 00 
173312424 00 
194412567 00 
179512483 00 



1647 
1305 
1250 
1183 
1455 
1513 



670 1552 



2246 00 
1920 00 
1725 00 
1564 00 
1822 00 
1884 00 
2150 00 



GOUVERNEUR. 



18301 
183ll 
1832] 
1833 
1834 
1845 
1836 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 



39* 
35* 
37* 
66* 
57* 
46* 

30* __- 
115* 29 
67*1194 
91*1188 
77* 281 
91* 294 



350 
500 
500 
500 
335 



89 
105 
00 
00 35 
00 206 



148 
39 
1495 
2540 
4801 
3350 
2781 



350 

500 

500 

500 

335 

576 

1536 

889 

1400 

1714 



400 00 


1842 


65* 


269 30 


375 00 


1843 120* 


448 41 


336 63 


1844 


209 


322 66 


450 00 


1845 


191 


310 51 


651 00 


1846 


185 


331 47 


548 00 


1847 


185 


371 33 


314 50 


1848 


285 


364 29 




1849 


299 


452 95 


1665 00 


1850 


277 


276 98 


1863 00 


1851 


226 


180 03 


1736 00 


1852 


217 




2139 00 









2497 
3402 
3702 
3961 
4238 
4535 
4758 
5091 
6000 
5000 
600 



1615 
1500 

969 
1021 

930 
1249 
1486 
1666 
1487 
1211 
1145 



1666 00 
1874 00 
1488 00 
1379 00 
1254 00 
1601 00 
1858 00 
2030 00 
1940 00 
1488 00 
1332 10 



Ogdensburgh. 



1839 


34* 


100 58 


599 


751 


1202 00 


1846 


234 


251 46 




1312 


1840 


92* 


114 57 


511 


669 


1119 00 


1847 


187 


327 19 


50 


1200 


1841 


83* 


220 21 


547 


1451 


2023 00 


1848 


149 


268 56 


. . • 


800 


1842 


54* 


171 97 


376 


1008 


1739 00 


1S49 


173 


109 00 


.... 


937 


1843 


115* 


123 09 


200 


1050 


1508 00 


1850 


211 


243 42 


.... 


1200 


1844 




236 10 


84 


1300 


1848 00 


1851 


235 


270 05 


.... 


1504 


1845 


263 


220 05 





1300 


2049 00 













2095 00 
1889 00 
1540 00 
1618 00 
1559 03 
1997 00 



AND FRANLKIN COUNTIES. 



553 



Canton. 



1 


2 

99* 


3 


4 


5 


6 


1 1 2 


3 


4 


5 1 6 


1839 


92 20 


1038 


753 


921 00 


1846 182 


185 74 


375 


825 1091 00 


1840 


94* 


142 35 


1254 


101)6 


1301 00 


1847 164 


226 51 


328 


725 1089 00 


1841 


59* 


142 49 1354 


820 


1193 00 


1848 116 


135 61 


617|1021 00 


1842 


51* 


90 85i]091 


758|1103 00 


1849 


109 


133 23i 


358 


899 00 


1843 


36* 


108 44' 864 


610 


915 00 


1850 


135 


156 32 ... . 


690 1001 00 


1844 


98 


110 18i 866 


791 


1124 00 


1851 


123 


124 80 .... 


590 924 00 


1845 


126 


88 02 


600 


625 


913 00 1 















Franklin. 



1832 


80* 


109 65 


249 


818 


1833 


82* 


145 16 


260 


840 


1834 


45* 


147 77 


126 


739 


1835 


58* 


160 48 


259 


497 


1836 


37* 


81 00 


900 


400 


1837 


45* 


124 79 


310 


571 


1838 


58*241 75 


874 


647 


1839 


37* 


184 40* 


780 


677 


1840 


40* 


145 82 


816 


762 


1841 


50* 


113 35 


931 


680 


1842 


81* 


162 24 


981 


813 







1097 


48 


767 


00 


971 


79 


1028 


00 


1169 


00 


1722 


00 


833 


00 


1245 


00 



1843 


75* 


187 57 


1118 650 


1844 


175 


254 46 


1078 837 


1845 


235 


383 86 


1146 1070 


1846 


220 


362 91 


1276 933 


1847 


160 


327 19 


847 768 


1848 


153 


239 31 


1120 655 


1849 


169 


297 93 


908 732 


1850 


155 


272 44 


794 805i 


1851 


221 


192 30 


765 1004 


1852 


209 





910.1078. 



1148 00 
1401 00 
1641 00 
1612 00 
1405 00 
1242 00 
1349 00 
1414 00 
1265 00 
2368 00 



Fort Covington. 



1836 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 



40* 
50* 
25* 

68* 
25* 
73* 



69 83 
31 86 
116 04 
100 58 
45 33 
51 82 



50 

130 

90 

75 

ISO 

700 



1842 75* 100 58 607 800 956 00 



450 
340 
353 
500 
400 



570 86 
476 04 
591 00 
720 00 
569 00 



1843 
1844 
1846 
1847 
1849 



45* 
243 

60* 
102 
113 



1850 104 



102 58 


225 


800 


1000 00 


398 74 








71 45 


57 


611 


674 00 


47 54 


100 


241 


375 00 


48 45 


58 


364 


430 00 


35 73 


25 


289 


388 00 



* Number at the date of the report. When this asterisk is omitted, it denotes the number 
during the year. 



The comparative condition of the several Academies, as shown by late reports, 

is as follows. 



Number of departments , 

" teachers 

" academic terms . , 
" week's vacation. . . 

Value of lot and buildings . . . . 

" library . 

" apparatus 

Other academic property 

Total value of prooerty 

Interest on academic property 

Total revenue 

Salaries for year previous, . . , 



St. L. Gouv. Can. Og. : Fk. Fr. C. 

1852 1852 1852 1852 \ 1852 1851 



4 

5 

2 

8 

$8,700 

. 530 

631 

950 

10,801 

92 

1,884 

1,603 



2 

5 

3 

8 

$6,600 

400 

350 

420 

7,770 



1.488 
1^183 



$3,150 $8,000 
260 393 
300! 392 
2,550 
6,260 
178 
924 
800 



8,785 

250 

1,997 

1,668 



2 

2 

3 

10 

$,6000 

241 

203 

1,906 

8,350 

120 

1,265 

896 



2 
1 
3 

7 

$2,700 

200 

160 

800 

3,860 

56 

388 

307 



554 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



CHAPTER VII. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, STATISTICS, &c. 




First steam boat on the great lakes, 1816. , 



ROM ao early 
period attempts 
were made to 
improve the na- 
vigation of the St. 
Lawrence, and in an 
act of April I, 1808, 
J. Wadington, D. A. 
and T. L. Ojtden, 
were authorized to 
build a canal and 
locks at Hamilton, 
and to collect toll at 
the rate of 25 cents 
pel" ton, on all boats 
passing. Locks to be 
50 feet long, 10 feet 
wide, and deep enough to receive boats having two feet draught. On 
page 343, is related what was done under this act. The north shore has 
always been chosen by voyageurs. and the difficulty of crossing over to 
these locks would have rendered their use limited. On the 5th of April, 
1809, means were ])rovided for carrying into effect a concurrent resolu- 
tion of March 27th, directing the surveyor general to authorize some 
competent person to survey the St. Lawrence, and report. By an act of 
April 9, 1811, Russell Attwater and Roswell Hopkins, were appointed to 
expend $600, on the American shore from St. Regis to the Indian vil- 
lage in Lisbon. It is believed that a towing path was made along the 
shore in places, at an early day, and probably with this appropriation. 
In 1833, the subject of cutting a canal from the head of Long Saut to 
Grass river, was pressed upon the legislature, and a subscription raised 
to procure a survej^ Grass river was considered navigable to within 
three miles of Massena village, and there intervened a ravine and low 
land, which it was found required a canal of six miles, one of which 
was through gravel and clay a depth of thirty-five feet. The fall from 
the head of the saut to Lake St. Francis, was found to he fifty feet. Es- 
timated cost, $200,000. It was stated that in 1833, $48,000 was paid for 
cartage and towage past the Long saut, and the cost for towing one boat 
amounted to $500 per annum. This subject was also urged upon con- 
gress by a convention at Canton, Dec. 18, 1833. and D. C. Judson, Wm. 
Ogden, N. F. Hyer, H. Allen, and M. Whitcomb, were appointed to cir- 
culf 'e petitions. Nothing was eflfected or afterwards attempted, as the 
Canadian government soon after undertook this labor. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 555 

Th£. Oswegatchie J^avigation Company, was iuoorporated April 2?- 1831, 
for the purpose of improving, by means of locks, canals and darns, its 
navigation to Black lake, and to the town of Gouverneur; and from the 
Oswegatchie river, along the natural canal to Grass i-iver, and h[) to Can- 
ton village. Ca].ital to be 83,000, and Silvester Gilbert, Jacob A. Vanden 
Heuvel, Smith Stillwell, and Louis Hasbrouck, were appointed a board 
of commissioners to receive subscriptions. A certain portion of the 
work was to be accomplished within five years, and the duration of the 
corporation was limited to thirty years. 

The previous act was renewed April 25, 1836, and continued in force 
thirty years. Baron S. Doty, Silvester Gilbert, Jacob A. Van Heuvel, 
Smith Stillwell, Henry Van Rensselaer, and E. N. Fairchild, were named 
commissioners to receive slock. Unless they met within three months, 
the act was to be void. In 1835, the capital stock was increased to 
$100,000. ^R. Harrison, D. C. Judson, S. Gilbert, H. Van Rensselaer, E. 
Dodge, A. Sprague, and S. D. Moody, were named commissioners to re- 
ceive subscriptions. No actual improvements were ever undertaken 
under these acts. In the petition which procured the passage of the 
above act, it was stated, that at Heuvel locks had been commenced, and 
might be completed at small expense, that the expense of dams and 
locks to improve the natural channel of the Oswegatchie would not cost 
to exceed $12,000, and that a steam boat might be built for $5,000, suf- 
ficient to meet the business of the proposed company. , The fall at Can- 
ton falls, is stated to be nine feet, and at Cooper's fall in De Kalb, as 
eight feet, which being overcome by locks would render the river navi- 
gable as far as the Ox Bow, in Jefferson county. A dam across Grass 
river, and a short canal near the eastern end of the natural canal, would 
bring Canton in navigable communication with the St. Lawrence at Og- 
densburgh. 

The plan of extending the Black river canal to Ogdensburgh, was 
brought forward in 1839, and a survey executed by Edward H. Brodhead, 
which is published in the legislative documents of 1840, embraced the 
several improvements above proposed. 

Several acts have been passed for preventing the obstruction of the 
channels of our rivers by declaring them public highways. Raquctte river 
from its niDuth to Norfolk, and St. Regis from the province line to the 
east line of Stockholm, were so declared April 15, 1810. April 16, 1816, 
the Oswegatchie was made a highway to Streeter's Mills, in Rossie, and 
its obstruction forbidden under a penalty of $100. By a recent act this 
limit has been extened to Cranberry lake. 

An act of 1849, for improving the sources of the Hudson for lumbering 
purposes, led in 1850, to petitions for grants to be expended on Raquette 
and Moose rivers. These were referred to a select committee, who 
through their chairman, Mr. Henrj' J. Raymond, made a very elaijorate 
report, setting forth the advantages of the improvements, and describing 
the wonderful natural water communication of the primitive wilderness 
of Northern New York. This elevated plateau, averaging 1,500 to 1,870 
feet above tide, gives origin to rivers, flowing in different directions. 
The Raqaette, after a crooked and sluggish course through several large 
ponds, and receiving tributaries navigable for logs from many lakes ia 
the interior, on arriving within 50 miles of the St. Lawrence, becomes 
rapid, and descends to near the level of that river befo;'3 reaching Mas- 
sena. In a multitude of places it affords fine cascades for hydraulic pur- 
poses, especially in the villages of Colton, East Pierrepont, Potsdam, 
Raquetteville, Norfolk and Raymoudville, with many intervening places. 



556 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

There is n peculiarity of this river that desei-ves special notice, which is 
its little liability to be affected by drouth and flood, in consequence of its 
being fed from lakes. The highest water commonly occurs several days 
later in this than the neighboring rivers, and a prudent policy should 
lead to the erection of sluices and flood gates at the outlet of tiie lakes to 
retain the excess of the spring flood against any want that might occur 
in the drouth of summer. Such a want has not hitherto been felt, but 
might if the interior country were cleared and cultivated. An act was 
passed April 10, 1850, declaring the Raquette a highway from its mouth 
to the foot of Racket lake, in Hamilton county, and. on the 9th of April, 
an appropriation of $10,000 was made, to be expended by H. Hewitt, A. 
T. Hopkins and C. Russell, in removing obstructions, and improving the 
channel. These consisted in shutting up lost channels and straits around 
islands, in the erection of piers, dams, booms, &c. 

The accession of capital and employment of labor from this improve- 
ment is remarkable. But one gang mill existed on the river at the time 
of the passage of the law, while at present there are either in operation 
or in course of erect ion, cig-Af, and still more that are contemplated. The 
logs sawed at these are brought from the country adjoining Tupper's 
lake. Long lake in Hamilton county, many of the lakes and streams of 
Franklin county, and from the western borders of Essex county. 

Much credit is due to Dr. H. Hewitt, of Potsdam, for exertions in pro- 
curing this improvement, and to Messrs. Wm. A. Dart, of the senate, 
and Noble S. Elderkin. of the assembly, for the zeal and ability with 
which they sustained the measure. 

The first attempt to open a cheap and direct communication between 
the navigable waters of the St. Lawrence and the sea board, began in 
1823, and arose from the wants which had been so severely felt during 
the war. A year or two after the peace, plans for uniting lake Champlain 
with the Connecticut, were discussed and attempted. Judge Raymond 
and Benjamin Wright, while surveying the country before its settlement, 
had formed projects for improving the natural channels of the rivers, and 
to them belongs the merit of the idea. The former was afterwards the 
ardent advocate of a canal. A meeting of the citizens of Clinton, 
Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, convened at Ogdensburgh, August 
28, 1823, to concert measures for a canal, who appointed B. Raymond, of 
Norfolk, S. Partridge, of Potsdam, J. A. Vanden Heuvel, of Ogdensburgh, 
Wm. Hogan, of Fort Covington, Thomas Smith, of Chateaugay and Asa 
Hascall, of Malone, who prepared and published a lengthy report for dis- 
tribution in the sections most to be benefited by the work. It was ac- 
companied by a report from Judge Raymond, who had been employed 
to make a preliminary survey. This improvement proposed to use the 
Oswegatchie, Natural canal and Grass river, to Canton. The petitions 
and the friendly influences towards these works, led to an act for a sur- 
vey under the direction of the canal commissioners, and Holmes Hutch- 
inson, of Utica, was employed. The expense was limited to $1,500. 
The summit was found to be 811 feet above the St. Lawrence, at Og- 
densburgh, and 966 above the lake. This work was commended to the 
legislature by Dewitt Clinton, in his annual message of 1825, but the 
work was found impracticable, and the idea abandoned. 

A Rail Road began to be discussed in 1829, and a full meeting was 
held February 17, 1830, at Montpelier, for promoting a rail road from 
Ogdensburgh, and by way of lake Champlain and the valleys of Onion 
and Connecticut rivers, and through Concord and Lowell to Boston. A 
committee previously appointed, reported favorably on the plan and its 



* AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES 557 

advantages, and estimated that passengers and heavy freight could be 
taken over the whole route in 35 hours. They further predicted that 15 
jniles an hour would hereafter be performed by locomotives. On the 
17th of March, 1830, a similar meeting was held at Ogdensburgh, and a 
coanmittee of 12 appointed to collect information and report to a future 
meeting. Application was also made to congress for aid in constructing 
the Work, but this failing, petitions were next forwarded to the state 
41, legislature, and a convention met at Malone, December 17, 1831, to pro- 
mote this object. This failed, but Was prosecuted until May 21, 1836, 
The lake Charaplain and Ogdensburgh rail road was incorporated with a 
capital of $800,000. S. Gilbert and S. Stilwell, of St. Lawrence; B. 
Clark and J. Stearns, of Franklin, with two from each of the counties of 
Clinton and Essex, and James H. Titus, of New York, were empowered 
to open books for receiving stock. Some declining to act, a law of May 
16, 1837, appointed Wm. H. Harrison, of New York, Wm. F. Haile, of 
Clinton, D. L. Seymour, of Franklin, and J. L. Russell, of St. Lawrence, 
in their place. About this time the plan of a rail road from Ogdensbiu-gh 
directly through to Albany, was discussed. A convention met February 
27, 1837, at Matildaville, for this object. The moneys subscribed for the 
road to lake Champlain, were first reloaned and afterwards i-efunded to 
subscribers. This company failing to organize, a convention met .it 
Malone, August 8, 1838, and. persons appointed to collect statistics. 
These show that there then existed in St. Lawrence county 8 iron fur- 
naces, yielding 3,790 tons; 7 founderies, yielding 785 tons of castings; 
8 trip hammers; 63 asheries, yielding 1,815 tons of pot and pearl ashes; 
6 merchant mills; 42 grist mills; 3 lead mines, yielding 1,673 tons; 1 
lead pipe factory; 1 copperas and alum works; 2 plaster mills and quar- 
ries, (the latter ])roving to be nothing but steatite, or soap stone); 4 mar- 
ble mills; 137 saw mills, 11 of which make 717,700 pieces of lumber 
annually; 2 distilleries; 1 brewery and 2 sattinet and woolen mills. 571 
tons of butter and cheese were made annually, and the whole amount of 
freight from the county was estimated at $117,294. In Franklin county 
were 6 iron works; 1 cotton factory; 17 grist mills; 49 saw mills; 2 
woolen mills; 18 asheries; 12 tanneries; Strip hammers; 2 distilleries, 
and other works, yielding $23,181 worth of freight. These measures led 
to an act of April 18, 1838, authorizing a survey, which was executed by 
Edward F. Johnson, and the expense was limited to $4000. On the 
I4th of May, 1840, commissioners were appointed to survey and estimate 
the cost of a rail road by the several routes, and the public documents 
of 1841 contani the results. Both of the lines surveyed passed south 
east through the county and penetrated the wilderness. The Port Kent 
route passed up the valley of the Ausable, and down the St. Regis, and 
thence by way of Parishville and Potsdam, to Ogdensburgh. Length, 
131 miles; summit, 1,733 ffeet above tide; cost, 2,714,00389 ; maximum 
grade, 95 feet going east, and 90 feet going west; least radius of curve, 
800 feet. The Plattsburgh route led to Malone and Moira, whence a 
route by Norfolk and Columbia, and one by Potsdam, was surveyed. 
Summit, 1,089 feet; distance by Norfolk, 120 and by Potsdam, 122 miles; 
cost of the Norfolk line, $1,778,459-24; of the Potsdam route, $1,923,- 
108-09; of both maximum grade, 40 feet; least radius, 1,300 feet. In 
connection with this report was given the probable cost of improving the 
1 ivers and Natural canal, the aggregate of which was $305,982. A con- 
vention met at Malone, December 22, 1840, who, through a committee, 
memorialized the legislature, and procured the opinions of several mili- 
tary men on the importance of the route as of national use in case of 
war. 



560 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

This measure failed to become a law. Nothing discouraged, the friends 
of this improvement continued active, and finding it impossible to obtain 
assistance from the state began to importune for the ])rivilege of helping 
thetnselves ; -nd here they were met by the ])owerful opi)osition of the 
friends of the central routes, which was conciliated by their being them- 
selves brought to the necessity of feeling the want of votes to carry one 
of their measures. In the session of 1845, Messrs. Hiram Horton, John 
L. Russell and Asa L. Hazelton, representing these two counties, a bill 
was introduced and early passed the assembly, but was delayed in the 
senate till near the close of the session. At this time not less than four- 
teen rail road bills were before the legislature, among which was one 
for increasing the capital of the Syracuse and Utica road. It was partly 
through the influence of the friends of this road who found themselves 
forced to help in order to be helped, that the bill finally passed, receiving 
the governor's signature but twenty minutes before adjournment. This 
act passed May 14, 1845, incoi-porating the Northern Raii, Road, 
ibr fifty years, with a capital of $2,000,0()0, in shares of $50, and naming 
David C. Judson and Joseph Barnes, of St. Lawrence; S. C. Wead, of 
Franklin, and others from Clinton and Essex counties, and New York, 
commissioners to receive and distribute stock. 

Measures were taken to raise the means for a survey, and in the fall 
of 1845, a delegation visited Boston, to induce capitalists to undertake 
the work. They were advised to return and raise along the road as 
much as possible first, which was done; but in their absence about $10,- 
000,000 of rail road stock had been taken, and their chances for success 
were nmch lessened. To set forth the advantages of the route, Mr. 
James G. Hopkins, of Ogdensburgh, in 1845, published a pamphlet, con- 
taining many documents and statistics relating to the matter. It is but 
justice to state that not only these estimates but those that preceded them, 
were so far as relates to the resources of the country, tar below what 
time has developed. The Burlington people and those interested in the 
lines of New England roads connecting with Lake Champlain, early 
perceived the advantages that would ensue from a line which would 
turn a portion of the resources of the great west through their channels. 
In July, 1846, Mr. James Hayward, an experienced engineer, who, since 
1828, had had his attention directed to this I'oute, was employed to sur- 
vey the route, who did so and reported. 

In June, 1846, a company was organized at Ogdensburgh, having 
George Parish, president; J. Leslie Russell, of Canton, Hiram Horton, 
of Malone^ Anthony C. Brown, of Ogdensburgh, Lawrence Myers, of 
Plattsburgh, Charles Paine, of Northfield, Vt., S. F. Belknap, of Windsor, 
Vt., Isaac Spalding, of Nashua, N. IL, and Abbot Lawrence, J. Wiley 
Edmonds, Benjamin Reed, T. P. Chandler, and S. S. Lewis, of Boston, 
dii's^rtors; S. S. Walley, treasurer; and James G. Hopkins, secretary. 
In the fall of 1847, a contract was taken by Sewall F. Belknap for the 
portion east of Malone, and by Chamberlain, Worral & Co., to be com- 
pleted within two years. Work was begun in March, 1848, at the deep 
cutting in Ogdensburgh, and in the fall of that year was opened to Cen- 
treville from Champlain river. Late in 1849, it had reached Ellenburgh ; 
in June, 1850, Chateaugay; October 1st, Malone; and in the same 
month through ; the last work being done near Deer river bridge, in 
Lawrence. 

The following are the distances letween intermediate stations, in miles 
and hundredths: Ogdensburgh, 8-62 to Lisbon; 8-52 to Madrid; 7'48 
to Potsdam ; 3-00 to Knapp's Station ; 7-60 to Brasher Falls and Stock- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 561 

rioim; 574 to Lawrence; 5-79 to Moira; 2-35 to Brush's Mills; 570 to 
Bangor; 6-00 to Malone; 7-37 to Burke; 4*50 to Chateaugay; 7'50 to the 
Summit; 8-50 to Ellenburgh; 8-00 to Chazy, W. S.; 5*50 to Centreville; 
3-31 to Moore's (junction of Montreal and Plattshurgh i-hil road)'; 7-29 to 
Champlain; 4-39 to Rouse's Point. Total 117'16 miles. 

Length in the several towns, in miles and hundredths : Oswegatchie, 
1-97; Lisbon, 11-61; Madrid, 5-48; Potsdam, 5-98 ; Norfolk, 0-97 ; Stock- 
holm, 977; Lawrence, 770; Moira, 6-64; Bangor, 6-32; Malone, 8.G6; 
Bui-ke, 4-99; Chateaugay, 571 ; Clinton, 9-87; Ellenburgh, 3-52 ; Chazy,. 
9-49; Moore's, 971 ; Champlain, 8-23. 

Height of stations above tide, in feet : Ogdensbnrgh, 239 ; Lisbon, 320 ; 
Madrid, 309; Potsdam, 320; Knapp's, 339; Stockholm and B. F., 311; 
Lawrence, 329; Moira, 363; Brush's Mills, 425; Bangor, 565; Malone, 
703; Burke, 862; Chateaugay, 950; Summit, 1,146; Brandy Brook. 935; 
Ellenburgh, 892; Chazy, 573; Centreville, 378; Moore's, 243; Champlain, 
130; Rouse's Point, 84. Least radius 3,000 feet, except in the village of 
Malone, at which all ti*ains stop, where it is 2,000 feet; highest grade 
per mile going east, 27 feet; going west, 40; west of Summit no grade 
either way more than 27 feet. 

From their report of 1852, it is learned that this road has cost, includ- 
ing fixtures and equipment, $5,022,121'31, and possesses very ample 
facilities for the transaction of the immense amount of business in the 
freight department. Amount of land owned in July, 1851, 3077i acres, 
exclusive of road way. Its buildings at that date were as follows; 
Wharves, docks and piers, at Ogdensburgh 4,534 feet; at Rouse's Point, 
165 feet wharf| and a pier of 1,650, which has since become a part of 
the bridge across Lake Champlain. Freight and passenger station at 
Ogdensburgh, 305 by 84 feet. One freight house at ditto, 402 by 82 feet; 
fire proof engine house for six locomotives, and numerous other build- 
ings, the present dimensions and location of which may be seen by re- 
ferring to the plan of the depot grounds on our map of St. Lawrence 
county. Among these, the grain warehouse and elevator, shown on the 
opposite page, deserves notice. It is built on piles in 14 feet water, and 
contains 42 bins, each 30 feet deep and capable of holding 4,000 bushels 
each, or 12 tons of wheat. All these delivered their grain on one tract 
by spouts, and each can load a car with 10 tons in eight or ten minutes, 
the load being weighed on a platform scale in the track. The elevators 
are driven by a steam engine of 15 horse power, and raise daily, 16,000 
to 18,000 bushels, which is weighed as received in draughts of 30 
bushels, and spouted into cars or raised into the bins if stored. The 
cars are sent in on one track and out on another, being changed by a 
traverse table. Vessels laden with grain on the upper lakes, are here un- 
loaded with great facility, and the establishment is found to be eminently 
useful in promoting the business of the road. It was erected by N. 
Taggert, after plans by F. Pelletier the draftsman of the company, 
who has kindly furnished the above data. At Lisbon, Madrid, Potsdam, 
Stockholm, Lawrence, Moira, Bangor, Champlain and Hoyle's Landing, 
are depots, 50 by 100 feet: at Brush's Mills, 80 by 35 feet; at Chateau- 
gay, 200 by 55, a passenger station 37 by 26, and a wood and water 
station, 330 by 35 feet; at Rouses Point a passenger and freight house, 
500 by 104 feet, a station house and hotel, 78 by 50, repair shop, 175 by 
80 feet; and numerous other buildings. Since the date of the last 
report before us, depots have been built at Knapp's, Burke, Malone, and 
other places. 



562 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Much opposition was met from the efforts made by the company to 
procure the right of bridging Lake Champalain, to enable it to connect 
with the eastern roads, and in the sessions of 1850, a special committee 
consisting of Win. A. Dart, George Geddes and Robert Owens, Jun., 
was appointed, who in the recess of the legislature visited the locality 
and reported. An attempt was made to excite the jealousies of New 
York, against Boston, but an exf)ression was obtained from the leading 
interests of that city disclaimingthis, and concurring in the projiosed im- 
provement, and among the objections urged, were the obstruction to 
navigation, the division from the trade of the canals, and consequent loss 
of revenue to the state, and the obstruction it wouhl be to tlie fortress of 
the United States government, north of the road and near the boundary. 
This matter has been since decided, and a floating draw bridge con- 
structed so that trains pass fi-eely over without hinderance. 

It is less the amount of travel over this road than that of freight, that 
gives it importance. Being remote from the great lines of travel, it as 
yet, has not generally attracted that notice which it deserves, but when 
its advantages come to be known and appreciated, it can not fail of draw- 
ing a considerable amount of New England travel going westward. The 
< fficers of the Northern Rail road, can boast of one fact which few other 
roads would be able to do, viz: that they have never caused the death or in- 
jury of a passenger who has entrusted himself to their charge. This ex- 
emption from accident is not due to chance, but mainly to the admira- 
ble precision with which the trains are run, and it is doing injustice to 
no one to assert, that this is principally due to the talents and ability of 
tiie chief engineer Col. Charles L. Schlatter, who has from the be- 
ginning had the management of the road. Every employee is instructed 
in his duties, and no excuses are r-eceived for any violation or neglect of 
them. This inexorable rule has its advantages, which are felt and ap- 
proved by all concerned, and it is said that men can be employed in 
running irains at less wages on this than on many other roads, from the 
feeling of security, resulting from these arrangements. 

The officers of the company as given by the last, are T. P. Chandler, 
R. G.Shaw, Benj. Seaver, H. M. Holbrook, H. G. Kuhn, of Boston; 
Isaac Spaulding, of Nashua, N. H.; G. V. Hogle, of Champlain; Hiram 
Horton, of Malone; John Leslie Russell, of Canton; Geo. N. Seymour, 
and H. Van Rensselaer, of Ogdensburgh, James H. Titus, and Samuel 
J. Beals, of New York, directors. T. P. Chandler, president. .James G. 
Hopkins, of Ogdensburgh, secretary. Wm. T. Eustis (office No. 14 
Merchant's Exchange, Boston), treasurer. Chas. L. Schlatter, of Malone, 
superintendent. 

The Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road originated from the dissatis- 
faction felt by Potsdam and Canton, in not having the Northern R. R. 
pass through their villages. Soon after the Rome and Cape Vincent 
rail road was opened, the want of a connecting link with the Northern 
road began to be felt, and it became an object of importance to decide 
whether this should connect at Ogdensburgh and run along the St. 
Lawrence or at a point east of this and through the interior of the 
county. In July 1851, a convention met at Watertown, and persons ap- 
pointed to collect the means for a sqrvey ; Mr. E. H. Brodhead employed, 
and at a meeting lield at Gouverneur, on the 8th of Jan. 1852, this re- 
port and survey were rendered, and a company formed the next day, 
under the general law of the state. In no place will the route vary 
three miles from a direct line ; the grades will not exceed 36.96 feet to 
the mile, and with one exception, the shortest radius of curve does not 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 563 

exceed 2000 feet. Length 69 miles, estimated cost $293,721-50, for 
grading, bridging, and besides $6000 per mile for superstructure. A 
route was surveyed to Sackett's Harbor in connection with this. 

From this time vigorous efforts were made to secure a sufficient amount 
of stock to commence tlie construction of the road, and by an act passed 
April 7, 1852, the company was authorized, whenever the subscription 
♦o the capital stock should amount to $5000 per mile, to exercise the 
powers, rights and privileges usually possessed by a company incorpo- 
rated tmder the general act. This act was considered necessary in this 
case, in order to secin-e the rights of way, and made contracts for the 
same. In October 1852, the sum of $750,000 having been subscribed, the 
directors felt themselves warranted in entering into a contract for the 
making of the road, and accordingly contracted with Phelps, Matoon, 
and Barnes, of Springfield, Mass., by which the road was to be com- 
pleted July 1, 1854. It will be one of the cheapest roads in the state, 
and must add imtnensely to the prosperity of the already rich and popu- 
lous country through which it passes. Its present officers are O. V 
Brainard, Eli Farwell, Hiram Holcomb, Wm. McAIIaster, Wm. E. 
Sterling, Edwin Dodge, Barzillai Hodskin, Orville Page, Zenas Clark, 
Samuel Partridge, Joseph H. Sandford, Wm. W. Goulding, A. M. Adsit, 
directors. Edwin Dodge, president. Zenas Clark, vice president. Daniel 
Lee, treasurer. H. L. Knowles, secretary. 

Telegraphs. — Northern New York was first brought into direct com- 
munication with the great cities in 1849, by means of the Canadian line 
of telegraphs, operating on the Morse principle. A station was estab- 
lished at Brockville, and another at Prescott. The JVew York State Line 
extended a branch from Watertown to Ogdensburgh, by way of the Old 
Military road, in the summer of 1850. Tije only station in the county is 
at Ogdensburgh. In the summer of 1851, the Vermont and Boston Line 
originally intended to extend only as far as Burlington, was continued on 
to Rouse's Point and Ogdensburgh, partly along the line of the rail road, 
and partly along the highway. It has stations for receiving and transmit- 
ting intelligence at Ogdensburgh, Canton, Potsdam, North Potsdam, Ma- 
lone, and Chateaugay. Both of these lines are operated on the principle 
of Bain's electro-chemical telegraph, and sufficient stock was taken up 
along the routes to defray the expense of erection. 

Steam boat navigation was first attempted on the great lakes, by the 
building of the Ontario, in 1816, by Charles Smyth, David Boyd, Eri 
Lusher, Abram Van Santvoord, John I. De Graff, and their associates, 
who in February 1816, made an unsuccessful attempt to secure an in- 
corporation as the Lake Ontario Steam Boat Company, with a capital of 
$200,000. In their memorial before us, they state that they had p^u*- 
chased of the heirs of Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, the 
right to the exclusive navigation of the St. Lawrence. Their steamer, 
which is shown at the head of this chapter, is engraved from a drawing, 
by Capt. J. Van Cleve. The boat was 110 feet long, 24 wide, 8 deep, 
and measured 237 tons. She had one low pressure cross-head engine, 
of PA inch cylinder and 4 feet stroke. The latter was made at the 
Allaire works, New York. She was designed to be after the model of 
the Sea Horse, then running on the Sound near New York, and was built 
mainly under the direction of Hunter Crane, one of the owners. The 
first trip was made in 18l7, and heR%rival was celebrated at all the ports 
on the lake and river with the most extravagant demonstrations of joy, 
and hailed as a new era to the commerce of our inland seas. In every vil- 

34 



564 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

lage that conld muster a cannon, and from every steeple that had a bell, went 
forth a joyous welcome, and crowds of eager citizens from the adjoining 
country, thronged the siiores to salute its arrival. Bonfires and illumi- 
nations, the congratulation of friends and the interchange of hospitali- 
ties, signalized the event. The trip from Lewistown to Ogdensburgh 
required ten days. Fare $16. Deck fire $8. Master, Capt. Maliaby, 
U. S. N. The Ontario continued till 1832, seldom exceeding five miles 
an hour, and was finally broken up at Oswego. The Frontenac, a British 
steamer, at Kingston, and the Walk-in-the- Water, on Lake Erie, followed 
soon after. 

The Martha Ogden, was built at Sackett's Harbor, about 1819, with 
Albert Crane, managing, owner the first season. She was lost in a gale 
off Stoney point, and the passengers and crew saved by being landed in 
a basket, drawn back and forth on a rope from the wreck to the shore. 
No one was lost, and the engine was recovered and placed in the Onta- 
rio. The Sophia, originally a schooner, was fitted up as a steamer at S. 
Harbor, at an early day. The Robins, was another small schooner built 
over, but never did much business. The Black Haivk, built at French 
Creek, by G. S. Weeks, and owned by Smith, Merrick & Co., was used 
several seasons as a packet, and afterwards sold to Canadians, and the 
name changed to The Dolphin. The Paul Pry was built at Heuvelton, 
in 1830. by Paul Boynton, for parties in Ogdensburgh, and run some 
time on Black lake to Rossie. About 1834, she was passed into the St. 
Lawrence, at great delay and expense, and used as a ferry until from the 
affair at the Windmill, in 1838, she became obnoxious to the Canadians, 
and was run on Black river bay afterwards. The Rossie, a small steamer, 
was built near Pope's mills, about 1837, by White & Hooker, of Morris- 
town, and ran two seasons on Black lake. This was a small affair and 
proved unprofitable. 

An act of January 28, 1831, incorporated the Lake Ontario Steam Boat 
Company; capital, $100,000; duration till May, 1850. The affairs were 
to be managed by fifteen directors, and the office to be kept at Oswego. 
This company built the steamer United States, which was launched in 
November, 1831, and came out July 1st, 1832, under the command of 
Elias Trowbridge. Length, 142 feet; width, 26 feet beam, 55 feet over 
all; depth, 10 feet; engines, two low pressure ones of 40 inch cylinder 
and 8 feet stroke. Cost, $56,000. This steamer, so much in advance of 
anything that had preceded it on the American side, run on the through 
line till 1838, when, from having become obnoxious to the Canadians on 
account of the use made of her at the affair of the Windmill, she was 
run upon the lake only afterwards, and was finally broken up at Oswego, 
in 1843, and her engines transferred to the Rochester. This was the first 
and only boat owned by this company. 

The Oswego was built at that place in 1833; of 286 tons; was used for 
several seasons on the through line, but after running six years, the en- 
gines were taken out and placed in the steamer St. Lawrence. She 
was changed to a sail vessel and lost. The Brownville was built on 
Black river, below the village of that name, in Jefferson county. In 
going down the St. Lawi-ence, she took fire and was burned to the 
water's edge, but was run on an island, and her crew saved. She was 
afterwards rebuilt, and run awhile with the former name, and subse- 
quently lengthened at Sackett's Harbor, and her name changed to the 
William Jlvery. The engines, built by Wm. Avery, of Syracuse, which 
had previously been high pressure, were changed to condensing. With 
a few minor exceptions, there are at present no high pressure engines 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 565 

employed on the lake oi- river, except in propellers. In 1834, the Wm. 
Avei-y was run between Ogdensburgh and Niagara, with W. W. Sher- 
man as master. She was dismantled in 1835. The Charles Carroll was 
built at S. Harbor, and riiu from Kingston to Rochester, in 1834. After- 
wards she was rebuilt and lengthened at Sackett's Harbor, in the summer 
of 1834, and her name changed, to the America. Her engine was high 
pressure. The America, with D: Howe master, was running from Og- 
densburgh to Lewiston late in the season of 1834. 

The Jack Downing was a very small steamer built by P. Boynton, at 
Carthage, Jefferson county, in 1834; drawn on wheels to S. Harbor, 
launched, fitted up, and intended as a ferry at Ogdensburgh ; but used 
for this purpose a short time at Waddington, and afterwards run from 
Fort Covington to Cornwall. Her engine was in 1837, transferred to 
the Henry Burden, a boat on a novel principle, being supported on two 
hollow cylindrical floats and the wheel between them. It was afterwards 
taken by the Rideau canal to Ogdensburgh, and used a short time as a 
ferry. 

The Oneida, of 297 tons, was built at Oswego, in 1836. A. Smith was 
her first master. Her owners were principally Henry Fitzhugh, of Os- 
wego, E. B. Allen and G. N. Seymour, of Ogdensburgh. In 1838, and 
during some part of 1840, she was in the employ of government. With 
these exceptions, this vessel made regular trips from Ogdensburgh to 
Lewiston, until 1845, when her engine was taken out, and she was fitted 
up as a sail vessel. The engine of this boat is now in the steamer 
British Queen, one of the American line of boats from Ogdensburgh to 
Montreal. Lost as a sail vessel on Lake Erie. The Telegraph, a steamer 
having 196 tonnage, was built near Dexter, Jeflferson county, and first 
came out in the fall of 1836. She was owned by parties in Utica, Water- 
town and Sackett's Harbor. Sprague was her first captain. She was 
in the employ of government in the fall of 1838, the whole of 1839, and 
some part of the spring of 1840. Changed to a sail vessel and burnt on 
Lake St. Clair. The Express was built at Pultneyville, Wayne county, 
H. N. Throop, master and one of the owners, about the year 1839. It 
was used on the through line for several years, and afterwards ran from 
Lewiston to Hamilton. It was finally laid up in 1850. The Saiiit Law- 
rence, 402 tons, was enrolled at Oswego in 1839, the engines being the 
same as those which had been used in the Oswego. In 1844, it was 
rebuilt, and the tonnage increased to 434 tons. Her first trif) was per- 
formed in June, 1839. Cost about $.50,000. It was run till 1851, most 
of the time as one of the through line, when it was dismanded at French 
Creek. This is said to have been the first steamer on this lake, that had 
state rooms on the main deck. Length, 180 feet; beam, 23 feet; liold, 
11 feet. In 1839, she was commanded by John Evans; in 1840-6, by J. 
Van Cleve. Her place on the line was supplied by the Cataract. 

The George Clinton and the President, were small boats built at Os- 
wego, in 1842, and the former was wrecked on the south shore of the 
lake in 1850. About 1842, a stock company called the Ontario Steam 
and Canal Boat Company, was formed at Oswego, who in 1842, built the 
Lady of the Lake, of 423 tons, G. S. Weeks, builder; used on the through 
line until 1852, when she was chartered as a ferry in connection with 
the rail road from Cape Vincent to Kingston. This was the first Ameri- 
can boat on this water that had state rooms on the upper deck. J. J. 
Taylor was her master for several years. The Rochester, built for this 
company by G. S. Weeks, at Oswego, in 1843, of 354 tons, and run on 
the lake and river until 1848, since which she has run from Lewiston to 



566 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Hamilton. In July, 184.'5, the JVxagara, of 473 tons, came out, having 
been tlie first of a series of steamers built at French creei<, by .T. Oad^s. 
Her lericth was 182 feet; beam, 27i feet; total iireadth, 47 fee't; hold, 7i 
feet. Enfjine from the Archimedes works, with cylinder of 40 inches 
and 11 feet stroke. Wheels ;30 feet in diameter.' The Britith Queen 
was built on Long: Island between Clayton and Kingston, in 1846, by 
Oades, the engines being those of the Oneida. Length, 180 feet; beam, 
42 feet; engine double, each cylinder 26 inches in diameter. The British 
Empire was built at the same time and place with the last. 

TTie Cataract, came out in .Inly, 1837. She measures 577 tons, and 
Avas commanded the first season by James Van Cleve. Length of keel, 
902 feet, breadth of beam 27i feet, breadth across the guards, 48 feet, 
<Iepth of hold 10 feet, diameter of wheels, .30 feet, engines built by H. 
R. Dunham & Co., at the Archimedes works in New York, and the 
cylinder has a diameter of 44 inches, and a stroke of 11 feet, cost about 
$60,000. She was commanded in 1847-8, by J. Van Cleve; in 1849-51, 
by R. B. Chapman; in 1852, by A. D. Kilby. 

Ontario, built in the summer of 1847, length of keel, 222 feet; a deck, 
233 feet, and over all, 240 feet 6 inches; breadth of beam, 32 feet 2 
inchps, and over all 54 feet 8 inches; depth of hold, 12 feet; machinery 
made by T. F. Secor & Co., New York, cylinder .50 inches in diameter 
and 11 feet stroke; tonnage 900, cost about $80,000. 

Bay State. This maErnificent steamer came out for the first time in 
June, 1849, with J. Van Cleve, master, the first season. She has a 
tonnage of 935, and the following dimensions, viz: length 222 feet, 
breadth of beam 3H feet, total breadth .58 feet; depth of hold 12 feet; 
engines from the Archimedes works, New York, with a cylinder 56 
inches in diameter and 11 feet stroke; wheels 32 feet in diameter. 

The JVortherner, was built at Oswego, by G. S. Weeks, and came out 
in May, 1850, she has a tonnage of 90,5, length 232 feet, beam 30^ feet, 
total breadth 58 feet, depth of hold 12^ feet, wheels .32 feet in diameter, 
cost $95,000, engines by T. F. Secor & Co. of New York, with cylinder 
of 60 inches in diameter, and a stroke of 11 feet. 

The JVew York, the largest American steamer on the lake, was built 
in 1851-2, and made her first trip in August last, with R. B. Chaj)man, 
master, cost about $100,000, tonnage 994, length 224 feet, beam 32i feet, 
entire breadth 64 feet, engines b'.iilt by H. R. Dunham && Co. New York, 
Cylinder 60 inches in diameter, with 12 feet stroke, wheels 34 feet 
in diameter. 

Besides the above, there have been built or run upon the river and 
lake, the John Marshall, Utica, Caroline, Prescott, Swan, Express, Gleaner, 
and a few others, mostly small. 

Shortly after the formation of the Steam and Canal Boat Company, a 
new one was organized, called the St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company. 
The two were, in 1848, united in one, which assumed the name of the 
Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company, having a capital of $750, 
000, and at present the following officers: E. B. Allen, president; E. B. 
Allen, G.N. Seymour, H. Van Rensselaer, A. Chapman, E. G. Merrick, 
S. Buckley, H. Fitzhugh, A. Munson, T. S. Faxton, H. White, L. 
Wright, directors; and James Van Cleve, secretary and treasurer. 

This company is the owner of eleven steamers in daily service during 
the season of navigation. Their names, routes, and names of masters, 
as they existed in the summer and fall of 1852, are as follows: 



% 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 567 

Express Line. — From Ogdensburgli, l»y way of Toronto to Lewiston, 
and back, a daily line of two steamers, viz: Bay State, Capt. John Led- 
yard. J\'ew York, Capt. R. B. Chapman. 

Mail ii?ie.— 'From Ogdensbiirgh to Lewiston, touching at King.ston, 
and all the principal American ports, except Cape Vincent. A daily 
line of four steamers, viz: JVortherner, Capt. R. F. Child. Cataract, Capt. 

A. D. Kilby. JViagara, Capt. J. B. Estes. Ontario, Capt. H. N. Tin-oop. 

The American Line, from Ogdensburgli to Montreal, a daily line of 
three steamers, viz: British ^ueen, Capt. T. Laflamme. British Empire^ 
Capt. D. S. Allen. Jenny Lind, Capt. L. Moody. 

Rail Road Ferry. — From Cape Vincent to Kingston : Lady of the. Lake. 
Capt. S. L. Seymour. 

Line fi-om Lewiston to Hamilton, at the head of Lake Ontario; 
Rochester, Capt. John Mason. 

It is a singular fact, that not a single accident has ever occurred upon 
any American steamer, on Lake Ontario, or the St. Lawrence, which 
has caused the death or injury of a passenger. This is not due to chance, 
so much as to skilful management. 

It is believed that the steam packets on Lake Ontario, although they 
may be wanting in the gaudy ornaments, and dazzling array of ailding 
and carving, which is so ostentatiously displayed on the steamers of the 
North river, yet thej' will compare in real convenience, neatness and 
comfort, in the careful and attentive deportment of the officers and sub- 
ordinates employed, in skilful management, punctuality and safety, with 
any class of boats in the world. This opinion will be readily endorsed 
by any one who has enjoyed the accommodation which they afford. 

Of the above steamers, the Niagai'a, Cataract, Ontario, Bay State, and 
New York, were built at French Creek by John Oades, and the British 
Queen and British Empire, by the same builder at the foot of Long 
island, in the St. Lawrence. Of propellei's, the pioneer on the lake was, 
the Oswego, built at that place in 1841, since which, about a dozen have 
been built on the lake. In 1851, a line now numbering ten propellers, 
was established by Crawford & Co., to run in connection with the 
Northern rail road for forwarding freight. In 1852, this line transported 
about 30,000 tons of flour and produce, eastward, and 20,000 of mer- 
chandise, westward. Most of these vessels have cabins for passengers. 
Most of them were built at Cleveland, Ohio. 

Prominent among the enterprises which are destined to exert their 
influence for the promotion of the commercial interests of Ogdensburgh, 
may be placed the project which has been planned and is expected to 
be carried into effect during the coming season, which is the con- 
struction of a submarine raihvay, for taking vessels and steamers out of 
the river for repairs. The want of such a convenience has long been a 
desideratum, by the commercial interests of the St. Lawrence, but 
nothing was di.ne towards effecting this object, till the 29th of Septem- 
ber, 1852, when a meeting of parties interested was held, and a com 
pany formed, called the Ogdetisburgh Marine Railway Company, with a 
capital of $15,000, and liberty to increase this amount at pleasure. This 
association was formed under the provision of a general act for the 
government of Marine Railway Companies, passed February 17, 1848. 
The following officers were chosen at the first meeting. 

Henry Van Rensselaer, E. N. Fairchild, E. B. Allen, Edwin Clark, 
and Allen Chaney, trustees. Henry Van Rensselaer, president. Walter 

B. Alien, secretary. The duration of tlie company wag limited to fifty 



568 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

years. Shares $50 each. It is j)roposed to construct this work on the 
west side of the Oswegatchie, ahove the villa<^e a short distance and 
near I'igeon point. The shore at the j)hice can he made u good ship 
yard, and the hnsiness wliich this enterprise will create, must lead to 
the rapid settlement of the western part of the village. The clieapness 
of a marine railway, when compared with the cost of dry dock, for the 
repair of vessels, gives to the latter an incom[)arahle advantage over the 
ibrnier, while the benefits arising from each are alike. This contem- 
])lated improvement, with a ship yard, will give to Ogdensburgh, wheu 
combined with oth^r advantages which the place possesses, an import- 
ance in a commercial point of view, that will greatly promote its growth 
ati'd prosperity. 

State Roads. — Attention was early directed towards opening a southern 
route from St. Lawrence county, and a law of April 1, 1S08, made ])ro- 
vision for this by taxing the lands through which it passed for a road from 
Canton to Chester, in Essex county, and by several acts of 1810, tq 1814, 
a further sum was appropriated for this purpose, and the road was opened 
under the direction of Russell Attwater, hut was little .traveled, and soon 
fell into disuse. On the 19th of .Tune, 1812, a road was directed to be 
opened from near the foot of sloop navigation of the St. Lawrence, to 
Albany, and again in 1815, a further tax was laid with which a road was 
opened by Mr. Attwater, from Russellsouthwards, and made passable for 
teams, but like the other, soon fell into decay. Previous to 1810, the land 
proprietors had by subscription, built a bridge over the Saranac, which 
was swept away by a flood, and in opening a road towards Hopkinton, to 
aid which a law of April 5, 1810, imposed a tax on the adjacent lands, 
and appointed two commissioners to repair and construct a road from the 
North west bay to Hopkinton. In 1812, 1816 and 1824, a further tax 
was laid. The several towns were to be taxed four years for its support, 
and it was then to be assumed as a highway. A road was constructed 
and for some time travelled, but had so fallen into decay as to be scarcely 
passable. The several towns within two or three years have under 
taken to i-eopen it as a highway. In April, 1816, commissioners were 
appointed to lay out a road from Ogdensburgh, by way of Hamilton to 
Massena; from Massena through Potsdam to Russell, and from Russell 
through Columbia village to Hamilton, at the expense of the adjacent 
lands. On the 16th of April, 1827, John Richards, Ezra Thuber and 
Jonah Sanford, were directed to survey and level a route for a road from 
Lake Champlain to Hopkinton, and in 1829, $2.5,836 was applied for its 
construction. When done, the governor was to appoint three commis- 
sioners to erect toll gates and take charge of the road, which was soon 
after completed, and in 1833 a line of stages started between Port Kent 
and Hopkinton. This road is still used, the gates having for many years 
been taken down, and it has been and is of essential benefit to the coun- 
try. An act of April 18, 1828, directed a road to be opened from Canton 
to Antwerp, at the expense of the adjacent lands. 

Several other special provisions have been made for roads in the two 
counties. The first turnpike was made by the St. Lawrence Turnpike 
Company, incorporated April 5, 1810, and consisting of the principal 
.land owners. It was designed to run from Carthage to Malone, and was 
opened by Russell Attwater, as agent for the company. In 1813, it was 
relieved from the obligation of finishing it beyond the line of Bangor 
east, or the Oswegatchie State road, west. After the war the road lost 
its importance, and in 1829 was divided into road districts. It still bears 
the name of the Russell turnpike. The Ogdensburgh Turnpike Company, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 569 

was formed June 8, 1812, when D. Pariali, L. Hasbrouck, N. Ford, J. 
Rosseel, Charles Hill, Ebeiiezer Legro, and their associates, were incor- 
poi-ated with $50,000 capital, and soon after built what is since mostly a 
plank road from Wilna to Ogdensburgli, by way of Rossie. In April, 

1826, the road was abandoned to the public. The Parishville Turnpike 
Company, was incorporated February 5, 1813, when D. Parish, N. Ford, 
L. Hasbrouck, J. Tibbets, Jr., B. Raymond and Daniel Hoard, were em- 
powered to build with a ca])ital of $50,000, tlie present direct road from 
Ogdensburgh through Canton, and Potsdam to Parishville. In March, 

1827, this road was given up to the towns through which it passed, and 
in April, J831, the part between Ogdensburgh and Canton, was directed 
to be improved by a tax upon the three towns of $500 for two years, to 
be expended by a commissioner named in each town. With this sum 
and tolls collected for its support, an excellent road was kept uj). In 
1850, the route was directed to be planked, and a sum not exceeding 
$10,000 was allowed to be borrowed on six years time, upon the credit 
of the tolls, and incidentally upon the credit of Ogdensburgh village, 
Lisbon and Canton. This has mostly been done. 

Plank Roads. — A road from Ogdensburgh to Heuvelton, having been in- 
corporated by a specialact, was opened in September, 1849. Capital, 
$5000, with privilege of increasing to $20,000. Its earnings have been 
about $2000 annually. The Gouverneur, Somerville and Jintwerp Com- 
panies, like the following, was formed under the general law. It was or- 
ganized December 30, 1848, and finished September, 1850. Length, 
12 miles, 124 rods; capital, $13,000. Six miles of this i-oad are in Jef- 
ferson county. First directors ; C. P. Egbert, S. B. Van Duzee, Gilbert 
Wait, Nathaniel L. Gill; treasurer, M.s.vi\ii Thatcher; secretary, Charles 
Anthony. The Gouverneur, Richville and Canton Plank Road Conipany^s 
road extends from the village of Gouverneur to the line of Canton. Formed 
July 6, 1849; length 16 miles; capital, $16,000. Its first officers were 
Wm. E. Sterling, S. B. Van Duzee, John Smith, J. Burnett E. Miner, T. 
Cad well, directors; E. Miuer, president ; Wm. E. Sterling, treasurer; C. 
A. Parker, secretary. 

The Canton Plank Road, a continuation of tlie latter road, extending 
from the village of Canton to the town line of De Kalb, was built under 
a special act passed March 24, 1849, which authorized a tax in the town 
of Canton, of $60C0 for the first year, and $1,500 annually, for three suc- 
cessive years afterwards, for constructing the road, which was to be owned 
by the town. Hiram S. Johnson, James P. Curamings and Benjamin 
Squire, were named as commissioners to locate the road. The nett earn- 
ings after keeping the road in repair and repaying money borrowed lor 
its construction, were to be applied to the support of roads and bridges 
in town. Luman Moody, Theodore Caldwell and Joseph J. Herriman, 
were appointed commissioners to build the road, and superintend it after 
its completion. The latter were to be divided by lot into classes, and to 
hold their office for three years, vacancies to be supplied by election at 
town meetings. 

TTie Canton, Morely and Madrid Plank Road Company, formed January, 
1851; road finished August, 1851; length, 11| miles. Silas H. Clark, 
Alfred Goss, H. Hodskiu, J. C. Harrison, E. Miner, R. Harrison, A. S. 
Robinson, first directors. The Potsdam Plank Road Company, was formed 
October 17, 1850; length 5 miles, 154 rods, from Potsdam village to the 
Northern Rail Road; cost $6 439-43; finished October 8, 1851; divided, 
8 per cent; dividend, July 1, 1852; first directors, John McCall Robert 



5 70 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

McGill, John Burroughs, Jun., Stephen Given, Juu., Benjamin G. Bald 
win. 

The Hammond, Rossie and .Antwerp Plank Road Company, formed Jan- 
uary 23, 1850, completed in December tbllovviug. Length 20 miles; 
capital, $35,000; 7 miles are in Jefferson county. There is an embank- 
ment 41 feet high at the Rossie hills, and the deepest rock cutting is 22 
feet; directors, Ira Hinsdale, E. Brainerd, Z.Gates, A. P. Morse and 
D. W. Baldwin. 

The Morristown and Hammond Plank Road Company, a continua- 
tion of the former, was laid along the route of the former road, and 
through a country which offered but few obstacles to its construction. 
President and treasurer, Moses Birdsall ; secretary, Henry Hooker. 
Length, IO4 miles ; capital, $10,000, in 200 shares of $50 each ; organized 
in July, 1851; completed in May, 1852. This, with the preceding, forms 
a continuous plank road communication with routes leading to Utica, 
Rome, Watertown, &c., and terminating on the St. Lawrence river, in the 
village of Morristown. 

The Heuvelton and Canton Falls (now Rensselaer Falls) P. R. Co., as 
originally organized, had a length of about ten miles. It has been con- 
tinued to the road from Canton to Hermon, by the same company, and 
twelve chains on that road to meet a plank road in Hermon, since con- 
structed, from the town line of Canton, through the village of Hermon. 
It is designed to continue this road through to Edwards. The first 
directors were Henry Van Rensselaer (president), Elijah B. Allen, E. N. 
Fairchild, D, Simpson and John Shull, jr. 

The office of the company is in Ogdensburgh, at the land offic of Mr. 
Van Rensselaer, who is the principal owner of the road. Through a 
part of the distance it was laid through unsettled lands, which have thus 
been brought directly into market and opened for settlement. 

The Hermon P. JR. Co. was formed on the first day of March, 1851. 
David W. Weeks, Seymour Thatcher, Edward Maddock, L. H. Sheldon, 
Noah C. Williams, were the first directors. Capital, $4,000, in shares of 
$50 each, and the length of the road is four and a half miles. It extends 
from the village of Marshville, to the town line of Canton, where it con- 
nects with the Canton Falls plank road to Ogdensburgh. The road was 
finished about the first of July, 1852. It has been proposed to extend 
this road on to Edwards, and thence through to Carthage, in Jefferson 
county. 

The Heuvelton and De Kalh P. R. Co. was organized Feb. 6, 1849, and 
extended to intersect the Gouverneur and Canton plank road at a point 
three miles east of Richville. Its length is about 13 miles. The whole 
road is not yet finished, but it is expected that it will be opened through 
early in 1853. The first directors were Wm. H. Cleghorn, Wm. Thurs- 
ton, John Pickens, R. W. Judson, Pelatiah Stacey, Andrew Rowlston, 
Lewis Sanford. 

The JSforfolk, Raymondville and Massena P. R. Co. was organized Feb. 
14, 1851, to be completed in 1852. Length, 10 miles 44 chains; capital, 
$8,500, in 170 shares, of $50 each. A portion only of this road 
was completed at the close of the season of 1852. It is a continu- 
ation of the Potsdam road. It forms a direct communication be- 
tween the rail road and several thriving villages. Uriah H. Orvis. G. J. 
Hall, N. F. Beals, C, Sackrider, B. G. Baldwin, E. D. Ransom, Hiram 
Attwater, Justus Webber and Marcus Robins were first directors. U. 
H. Orvis, president; G. J. Hall, secretary. 



AND fRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



571 



But about two miles of plank road exist in Franklin county, near the 
extreme southeast corner. 



Statistics. 



si:?^ 4X*4*rUl 



The foUowing table exhihits the population of the several touons in the two 
counties, as shown hy the censuses. 



ISIO 1820 



Brasher, .... 

Canton, 

Colton 

De Kalb, 

De Peyster,. . 
Edwards, . . . 

Pine, 

Fowler, 

Gouverneur, . 
Hammond, . . 
Hermon, .... 
Hopkinton, . . 
Lawrence, . . . 

Lisbon, 

Louisville,. . . 
Macomb, . . . . 

Madrid, 

Massena, . . . . 
Morristown, . 

Norfolk, 

Oswegatchie, 
Parishville,. . 
Pierrepont, . . 
Pitcairn, . . . . 
Potsdam, . . . . 

Rossie, 

Russell, 

Stockholm, . . 



699 



541 



227 



372 



820 



1,337 



709 



182.5 1S30 1S35 1S40 | 1845 1850 



401 
1,898 



76G 

7S7 



605 
765 



1,671 
1,267 



581 



930 
831 



1,420 1,930 



955 



1,245 



928 



394 
307 



944 
837 



1,661 
594 
235 



1,911 
869 
486 
822 



884 



1,474 
864 



825 
2,440 



1,060 

814 
633 



939 
2,412 



1,200 
788 
739 



1,447 

1,552 

767 

688 

827 

1,097 

1,891 

1,076 



2,118 
3.465 



1,531 

1,074 

956 



1,571 
1,796 
1,327 
870 
910 
1,241 
2,411 
1,315 



2,639 

1,701 

1,723 

665 

3,133 

9.59 

558 



3.112 

1,074 

480 

1,449 



3,459 4.069 

2,070l 2.2S8 

1.61S| 2,339 

1,039'| 1,373 

3,924i 4,656 

1,479 1,657 

749 922 



3,650 
650 
659 

1,944 



3,810 

655 

722 

2,047 



Total, 7,885 16,03727,506, 36, 351 42,047 56,706 62,354 68,617 



1 ,752 
2,538 
1,845 
1.271 
1^147 
1,845 
3,508 
1,693 



4,511 
2.726 
2JS09 
1,728 
5,719 
2,250 
1,430 
396 
4,473 
1,553 
1,373 
2,995 



2,218 
4,035 

466 
1,723 
1,138 
1,064 

243 
1,840 
2,600 
1.911 
1^550 
1,435 
2,0551 
4,376 
1,970 
1,113 
4,376 
2^798 
2,328 
1,544 
6,414 
2,090 
1,450 

553 
4,856 
1,386 
1,499 
3,293 



2,548 
4,685 

506 
2,389 

906 
1,023 

293 
1,8J3 
2,783 
1,819 
1,690 
1.470 
2,209 
5,209 
2,054 
1,197 
4.856 
2,915 
2,274 
1,753 
7,756 
2,131 
1,459 

503 
5.349 
1^471 
1,808 
3.661 



1810 1820 1 1825 | 1830 1835 | 1840 1845 I 1850 



Bangor, 

Bellmont, 

Bombay, 

Brandon, 

Burke, 

Chateaugay, . . .,; . . 

Constable, Pf7) 

Dickinson, i,,^ 

Duane, 

Fort Covington, . 

Franklin, 

Harrietstown, . . . 

Malone, 

Moira, 

Westville, 



Tot&l,. 



370 



828 
637 
495 



979 



1,130 



4,439 



910i 1,076 



316 



1,035 

'382 

1,357 

417 



1,384 2,016 2,039 

1.016 693! 724 

'899, 446 597 



1,289 
472 

1,446 
531 



I 247 

2,1361 2,901 



1,633 



7,978 



2,207 

791 
619 



11,312 



237| 
1,665: 



2,824 
1,122 
1,005 

324 
2,094 

192 



2,589 
798 
661 



I 3,2291 
962 

I 1.028 



1,606 

510 

1,667 

578 

1,285 

1.952 

1,177 

1,074 

178 

2,369 

361 

129 

3,637 

1,013 

1,159 



2,160 

660 
1,963 

590 
2,477 
3,728 
1,447 
1,119 

222 

2,641 

'724 

181 
4,549 
1,340 
1,301 



12,50l|l6,518il8,692 25,102 



572 HISTORY OF ST. LAWllENCE 

jyames, ages and residences of Pensioners, from the census of 1840. 

St, Lawrence County — Parishville. — Josepli Arrnsby, 76; Hepsebah 
Mitcbell, 78; Simeon Howard, 79; Elijah Alien, 82. 

Hop/cinton. — Solomon Chittenden, 78. 

Stockholm.— K])\n-a\m Kna|)p, 83; Mercy Dunham, 78; Luke Fletcher, 
81; Martin Brockway, 79; Rlioda Skinner, 83; Wni, Burrows, 81; Tho- 
mas Scott, 80; Elizabeth Wliiston, 83. 

Lawrence. — Elizabeth Sanders, 78; Sarah Barnes, 74. 

J\l'orfolk. — Daniel Bradish, 79; Trypliena CoUanier, 79; Theodonis 
Woodard, 79; Elizabeth Lawrence, 81; Elijah Brown, 84; Jemima 
Sawyer, 75; Griffin Place, 78; Guy Carpenter, 56i Russel Attwater, 79. 

Massena. — Daniel Kenney, 80; Elijah Fla^g, 80; Daniel Kinney, 80; 
John Policy, 79; Eben Policy, 53; John Policy, 55. 

Louisville. — Asa Day, 80; Oliver Barret, 79; Asher Blunt, 81; Elias 
Kingsley, 79. 

Pierrepont. — Frederick Squire, 45; Reuben Butler, 45; Joseph Dir- 
iiick, 73; Nathan Crary, 78; David Bradley, 81. 

Bussell. — Miles Cook, 75; John Knox, 81 ; Samuel Barrows, 73; Abra- 
ham Wells, 83; Gilbert Ray, 76; John Gillmore, 87. 

Fowler. — Ebenezer Parker, 84; Jacob Deland, 78. 

Edwards. — Abel Pratt, 83; Comfort Johnson, 87. 

De Peyster. — Joseph Shaw, 79; Jonathan Fellows, 78. 

Oswegatchie. — Sarah June, 81 ; Benjamin Salts, 78; Esther Dollestun, 
78; Richard Vaii Ornum, 82; Noah Spencer, 87; Daniel Chapman, 81. 

Morristown. — Phinehas Maxon, 85; M. Demuiiug, 80; Stephen Smith, 
84; Sarah K. Thurber, 91 ; Wm. Lee, 74. 

Hammond. — Emanuel Dake, 86. 

Rossie. — Henry Apple, 86. 

Gouverneur. — John Garrett, 85 ; Polly Hulbert, 72 ; Solomon Cross, 82; 
Eli Skinner, 81 ; Stephen Porter, 79. 

ifennon.— David Page, 57 ; Asher Williams, 79. 

De Kalb.— John C. Cook, 27. 

Lisbon. — Isaac Mitchell, 80; Samuel Wallace, 80; Hughey Willson, 
84; Amon Lawrence, 49; Jane Turner, 89. 

Canton. — Asa Briggs, 88; Eber Goodnow, 75; Joshua Conkey, 80; 
Lucy Tutde. 95; Isaac Robinson, 79; Lydia Low, 72; Olive Tuttle, 67; 
John Daniels, 80. 

Potsdam. — Wm. Carpenter, 87; Eunice Perigo, 93; Elijah Ames, 79; 
Ebenezer Atwood, 74; Mary Aikins, 74; John Bowker, 85; .Jane Dailey, 
88; Stephen Chandler, 86; Lucy Chandler, 76; Daniel Shaw, 86; Na- 
than Estabrook, 80; Nathaniel Parmeter, 54; Nathan Parmeter, 81; 
Ruth Brush, 77; Dyer Williams, 81; Giles Parnielee, 76; John Fobes, 
78; John Moore, 82; Ammi Courier, 75; Sylvanus Willes, 84; Thomas 
Palmer, 80. 

Madrid. — John Erwin, 59; Samuel Daniels, 78; Abiram Hurlbut, 76; 
Peter Eaton, 58; Rebecca Packard, 66; Lucy Byington, 80; James 
Corey, 78; Isaac Buck, 77; Manasseh Sawyer, 81 ; Isaac Bartholomew, 
78; Margaret Allen, 86; Jacob Redington, 81. — Total number, 118. 

Franklin County — Malone. — Simeon Graves, 87; Eno.s Wood, 79; 
Aaron Parks, 75; Samuel Smith, 81; Jesse Chipman, 85; Samuel Forbs, 
78; Nathan Beeman, 86; Chester Morris, 71. 

Fort Covington. — Francis Clark, 86. 

Dickinson. — Betsey Lathrop, 78. 

Bombay. — Asa Jackson, 79. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



573 



Westvillt. — Barnabas Berry, 82. 

Bangor, — Gabriel Cornish, 82. 

Franklin.— SaWy Merrill, 83. 

Brandon. — Heury Stevens, 83. 

Moira. — Jno. Lawrence, 78; Tho's Spencer, 84; John Kimball, 76; 
Elkanah Philips, 84; Uriah Kingsley, 80. 
—-^dlmont—EbeuezGi- Webb, 82. — Total number, 2L 

In 1810, St. Lawrence county had live slaves. The state then con- 
tained 14,638 slaves. It had 247 looms making 19,047 yards woolen; 
36,000 of linen, and 1,926 of mixed cloth ; 5 fulling mills, dressing 14,000 
yards; 2 carding machines, using 10,500 lbs. wool; 12 tanneries, using 
1767 hides; 2 distilleries, making 25,000 gallons spirits, worth 80 cts. per 
gallon, and one trip hammer. Franklin county had 63 looms; 2 cai-d- 
ing machines, and fulling mills; made 5138 yards of woolen cloth; 1913 
of linen ; 859 of cotton ; 3 mixed, and 1076 hides, worth $425 — and 
$175 during the previous year. 

According to the census of 1850, the average number of deer killed in 
the county of St. Lawrence within the last year, was 3500, valued at $3 
dollars each. By the same, the resources of the counties were shown 
as follows : 

St. Law. 
Acres impr'd, 337,086 

" un impr'd 262,627 
Val. of farms, 9,245,542 2,298,912 
No. of horses, 13,811 



Fanklin. 


St. Law. 


Fr'klin. 


103,203 No. of oxen. 


6,555 


1,945 


64,156 " other cattle, 


34,441 


8,876 


2,298,912 " sheep, 


89,910 


27,430 


3,650 " swine, 


18,423 


5,220 



of cows, 



33,365 



6,974 Val. of live stock, 2,144,176 502,589 



The District of Osivegatchie was established March 2, 1811, and the 
following statistics, procured by the Hon. Preston King, at t^ie treasury 
department, for this purpose, show the business of this district very satis- 
lactorily. The collectors have been Alt^ander Richards, 1811-20; 
Aaron Hackley, 1821 to 1827; Nathan Myers, 1827-9; Baron S. Doty, 
1829-36; Smith Stilwell, Oct. 1, 1836— Sept. 11, 1840; David C. Judson, 
Sept. 12, 1840, Feb. 16, 1849; James C, Barter, Aug. 7, 1849, till 
the present time. No duties were collected till 1815, since which the 
receipts have been as follows: 



1EAK. 


DOL. CTS. 


YEAR 


DOL CTS 


YEAR. 


DOL- CTS 


YEAR. 


DOL CTS. 


1815.. 


..11.729-37 


1825.. 


. 1,34930 1835.. 


. 2,954-75 


1843.. 


. 743-35 


1816.. 


.. 4,409-80 


1826.. 


. 1,207-87 1836.. 


..10,581,00 


1844.. 


. 2,03209 


1817.. 


.. 6,176-02 


1827.. 


. 768-02 1836.. 


.. 2,228-97 


1845.. 


. 2,884-26 


1818.. 


.. 5,155-98 


1828.. 


. 2,103-33 1837.. 


.. 4,316-79 


1846.. 


. 1,852-26 


1819.. 


.. 2,716-01 


1829.. 


. 2,044-91 1838.. 


.. 2,847-52 


1847.. 


. 4,55009 


1820.. 


.. 1,677-01 


1830.. 


. 2,329-76 1839.. 


.. 2,497-68 


1848.. 


. 5,106-75 


1821.. 


.. 1,339-45 


1831.. 


. 3,314-60 


1840.. 


.. 1,111-25'1S49». 


. 7,505-19 


J822.. 


.. 2,307-35 


1832.. 


. 3,847-04 


1840.. 


.. 542-22 lS49t. 


. 1,32519 


1823.. 


.. 2,462-07 


1833.. 


. 3,295-99 


1841.. 


.. 1,4-20-08 1850t 


11,210-37 


1824. . 


.. 1,913-59 


1834.. 


. 2,525-53 


1842.. 


. . 1,268-68 


1851.. 


.20,048-95 



Subordinate offices exist at Oak Point, Morristown, Louisville, Mas- 
sena and WaddingtOK. 

The District of Chainplain, was established March 2, 1799, and in- 
cludes Franklin county. From an official statement procured throuoh 
the same channel as the above, it appears that Peter Sailly, F. S. C 
Sailly, David B. McNeil, Wm. F. Haile, Ezra Smith, and Oliver Pea- 



• To Feb. 7. tFrom Feb. 7 to Aug. 6. jFrom Aug. 6, to Jan. 1. 



674 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



body, have been collectors of the district. The deputies at Fort Cov- 
inpton have been, Seth Blanchard, John Hunsden, James Campbell, 
John McCrea, James 15. Spencer, James Campbell, Samuel H. Payne, 
Eszra Stiles, George B. R. Gove. At Hogansbugrh, B. Harrington, 
A. K. Williams, E. Bowker, and J. S. Eldridge. Belonging to the 
revenue department, are light houses at Ogdensburgh; Cross over 
island) Sunken rock, and Rock island, under the supervision of the 
collector of Oswegatchie district. They have stationary lights with 
parabolic reflectors. 

Post Offices have been established in St. Lawrence county as follows 
with names of first postmasters and date of formation, as far as can be 
ascertained. A fire which destroyed the post oflSce building in 1836, 
has made it difficult to settle some points. To such as are not known 
the star (*) has been prefixed, which denotes the time when the office 
commenced rendering. The author is indebted to the kindness of the 
Hon. Preston King for the following list: 



Post Offices. 
Black Lake (Osweeatchie), 
Blink Bonny (De Kalb), 
Brasher's Falls, 
Brier Hill (Hammond), 
Buck's Bridge (Potsdam), 
Brasher Iron Works, 
*Canton, 
Colton,f 

Craiy's Mills (Canton), 
De Kalb, 
De Peyster, 
East Pierrepont, 
East De Kalb, 
East Pitcairn, 
Edenton (De Peyster), 
Edwards, 

Edwardsville (Morristown), 
Fowler, 

Flackville (Lisbon), 
Fullersville Iron Works,t 
Gouverneur, 
Hammond, 
Helena (Brasher), 
Hermon, 

Heuvelton (Oswegatchie), 
*Hopkinlon, 
Lawrenceville, 
*Lisbon, 
*Louisville, 
Louisville Landing, 
Lisbon Centre, 
Madrid, 
Massena, 
Massena Centre, 
Macomb,§ 



Date of establishment. 

Dec. 18, 1850, 
Dec. 9, 1850, 
July 22, 1840, 
March 6, 1851, 
March 30, 1836, 
July 14, 1849, 
Dec. 27, 1808, 
June 19, 1851, 
Dec. 10, 1849, 
Dec. 9, 1806, 
Sept. 10, 1827, 
Aug. 31, 1832, 
July 14, 1851, 
Jan. 15, 1850, 
June 13, 1850, 
Jan. 4, 1828, 
March 22, 1837, 
Nov. 19, 1821, 
July 8, 1847, 
April 6, 1848, 
Aug. 3, 1824, 
Oct. 16, 1824, 
Feb. 13, 1827, 
Dec. 20, 1828, 
Feb. 5, 1828, 
Nov. 3, 1807, 
April 7, 1829, 
July 1, 1810, 
Sept. 11,1811, 
April 9, 1850, 
Dec. 19, 1850, 
April 5. 1826, 
Sept. 19, 1811, 
July 13, 1851, 
May 13, 1812, 



First Postmaster. 

Wm. H. Davis. 
Wm. Cleghorn, jr. 
Calvin T. Hulburd. 
David Griffin. 
Owen Buck. 
Isaac W. Skinner. 
Daniel W. Sayre* 
Israel C. Draper. 
Truman Hunt. 
William Cleghorn. 
Smith Stillwell. 
Joseph Dimick. 
John H. Bartlett. 
Charles H. Bowles. 
Benjamin F. Partridge. 
Orra Shead. 
Jonathan S. Edwards. 
Theodosius O. Fowler. 
Lauren Sage. 
Charles G, Edgerton. 
Moses Rowley. 
Arnold Smith. 
David McMurphy. 
Benjamin Healey. 
George Seaman. 
Theophilus Laughlin. 
Josiah Sanders. 
James Thompson. 
Benjamin Willard. 
Ralph D. Marsh. 
John McBride. 
John Horton. 
Calvin Hubbard. 
Augustus Wheeler. 
David Day 2d. 



t Formed as Matildavitle, June 17, 1837, William R. Stark, jrostmaster. 

i Formed as Fullerville about 1830. 

? Formed as WasMumville, July 27, 1S37, David Day 2d, postmaster. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



575 



Morley (Canton), 

Morristown, 

Nicholville (Lawrence), 

Norfolk, 

North Lawrence, 

North Potsdam, 

North Russel, 

North Stockholm, 

Oak Point (Hammond), 

*Ogdensburgh, 

Parishville, 

Pierrepont, 

Pitcairn, 

Pope's Mills (Macomb), 

Potsdam, 

Rackett River (Massena), 

Raymondville (Norfolk), 

Rensselaer Falls (Canton), 

Richville (De Kalb), 

Rossie, 

Russell, 

Shiiigle Creek (Rossie), 

Somerville (Rossie), 

South Edwards, 

South Hammond, 

Southville (Stockholm), 

*Stockholm, 

Stockholm Depot, 

Waddington,f 

West Fowler, 

West Potsdam, 

West Stockholm, 



*Bangor, 
Bombay, 

Brush's Mills (Moira), 
5 Burke (formerly 
I West Chateaugay), 
*Chateaugay, 
Dickinson, 
Duane, 

East Constable, 
Fort Covington, 
Franklin Falls, 
Harriettstown, 
Hogansburgh (Bombay), 
*Maloue, 

Merrillsville (Franklin), 
*Moira, 
North Bangor, 
South Dickinson, 
Trout River (Burke), 
West Constable, 



April 3, 1839, 
July 18, 1816, 
Jan. 7. 1831, 
May 22, 1823, 
Dec. 12, 1850, 
Dec. 30, 1850, 
Feb. 17, 1848, 
March 8, 1851, 
March 31, 1841, 
April 1, 1807, 
Aug. 2, 1813, 
June 5, 1820, 
June 5, 1840, 
July 14, 1849, 
April 21, 1807, 
Feb. 28, 1842, 
Sept. 2, 1840, 
Dec. 19, 1851, 
March 5, 1828, 
May 16, 1816, 
June 27, 1812, 
Feb. 6, 1828, 
May 2, 1828, 
Sept. 16, 1828, 
Jan. 14, 1833, 
May 6, 1825, 
Oct. 1, 1807, 
April 23, 1851, 
April 28, 1827, 
Jan. 15, 1850, 
Sept. 22, 1847, 
March 25, 1825, 

Franklin Countt. 

Feb. 17, 1812, 
Jan. 3, 1838, 
Aug. 11, 1849, 
Nov. 4, 1844, 
Feb. 25, 1829, 
April 1, 1807, 
June 10, 1828, 
March 25, 1833. 
June 12, 1828, 
May 7, 1818, 
Jan. 21, 1851, 
Aug. 11, 1849, 
July 22, 1824, 
Oct. 1, 1810, 
July 29, 1837, 
Jan. 1, 1808, 
Jan. 31, 1848, 
Feb. 3, 1842, 
Feb. 24, 1852, 
Jan. 12, 1828, 



Lorenzo Fenton. 
David Ford. 
Clemens C. Palmer. 
Phineas Attwater. 
John H. Conant. 
RoUin Ashley. 
Linus A. Clark. 
Stephen House. 
James H. Consall. 
Lewis Hasbrook. 
Daniel Hoard. 
Peter Post. 
John Sloper. 
Russell Covell. 
Pierce Shepherd. 
Peter Vilas. 
John Woodard. 
Archibald Shull. 
John C. Rich. 
Roswell Ryon. 
Pliny Goddard. 
James Bailey. 
Solomon Pratt. 
James C. Haile. 
Jonathan King. 
Hosea Brooks. 
William Gaj'. 
Jason W. Stearns. 
Alexander Richards. 
Thomas Mitchell. 
Wm. T. Galloway. 
Joseph H. Sanford. 



Henry Blanchard. 
Wilson Randall. 
Henry N. Brush. 
Hiram Miner. ) 
Ezra Stiles. I 
Amasa Fairman. 
Benjamin Heath. 
Franklin C. Hatch. 
Henry H. Hawkins. 
William Hogan. 
John Stearns. 
Alanson B. Neal. 
William Hogan. 
John H. Russell. 
John R. Merrill. 
Appleton Foot. 
George H. Stevens. 
Eldred Baker. 
Elisha Hollister. 
Ebenezer Man. 



t Formed as Madrid, December 14, 1807, A.. Richards, postmaster. 



576 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

List of those who have been aclmitted to practice in the court of Com- 
mon Pleas, in St. Lawrence county, with the year when admitted. It 
embraces many lawyers living in adjoining counties: 

Julius C. Abel, '32; Horace Alien, '16; Charles Anthony, '40; Frederick 
M. Attwater, '17; Jeremiah Bailey, '2i); Benjamin G. Baldwin, '."^l ; Cyrus 
W. Baldwin, '40; S. Baldwin, Jr., '28; Charles E. Beardsley, '28; Amos 
Benedict, '06; M. M. Berry, '21; Isaac W. Bostwick, '11; W. W. Bowen, 
'09; George Boyd, '10; A. C. Brown, '22; Wm. C. Brown, '40; D. W. 
Bucklin, '19 Justin Butterfield, '13; H. Wm. Channing, '16; David M. 
Chapin, '33; Samuel Chi[)inan, '05; Palmer Cleveland, '10; Ela Collins, 
'15; Georee C. Conant, '10; John Cook, '17; Wm. C. Cooke, '43; Wm. 
A. Dart, '38; Charles Dayan, '25; Thomas Denny, '28; Edwin Dodiie, 
'29; Stephen G. Dodge, '38; Joseph M. Doty, '41; James Edwards, '21; 
Edward Elderkin, '38; Charles A. Eldridge, '46; John Fine, '17; J. R. 
Flandnrs, '45; H. G. Foote, '43; t^tillman Foote, '41; Jacob J. Ford, '22; 
Wm. D. Ford, '10; E. Fowler, '25; G. W. Gardner, '33; Ransom H. 
Gillet, '24; Edmund A. Graham, '25; John W. Grant, '27; Aaron Hackley, 
Jr., '21; Louis Hasbrouck, '11; Louis Hasbrouck, '38; A. Hay ward, '32; 
Wm. B. Hickock, '45; Britton A. Hill, '38; J. G. Hopkins, '25; L. C. 
Hubbell, '21: C. T. Hulburd, '33; Richard S. Hunt, '44; N. F. Hyer,'32; 
A. B. James, '37; R. W. Judson, '38; Preston King, '30; Henry L. 
Knowles, '38; Liberty Knowles, '10; Wm. L. Knowles, '44; Alfred 
Lathrop)'17; Samuel Livermore, '10; Jno, Lynde, '12; A. McCollom, 
'03; James D. McLaren, '40; Henry C. Martindale, '11 ; Morris L.Miller, 
'03; Charles G. Mvers, '32; Mattllew Myers, '09; Gouv'r Ogden, '10; 
Lewis M. Ogden, '10; Wm. Ogden, '24; C. A. Parker, '45; Adriel Pea- 
body, '05; Bishop Perkins, '15; Matthew Perkins, '02; Samuel H. Piatt, 
'32; R. M. Popham, '10; Wm. S. Radcliff, '10; George Redington, '23; 
James Redington, '31; Amos Reed, '45; Alexander Richards, Jr., 17; 
Samuel Rockwell, '10; Cephas L.Rockwood, '30; J. L. Russell, '30 ; Tho's 
V. Russell, '38; Elam Rust, '33; John Scott, '10; S. B. Seeley, '37; Geo. 
C. Sherman, '32; Benjamin Skinner, Jr., '02: Levi Smith, '.33: Simeon 
Smith, '40; Micah Sterling, '15: Egbert Ten Eyck, '03: Halsey Town- 
send, '21; J. A. Vanden Heuvel, '22;Wm. H. Vining, '17; James P. 
Warford,'07; Samuel Warford, '08; Samuel Whittlesey, '08: Charles B. 
Wright, '45; Silas Wright, Jr., '19; 

Persons in St. Lawrence county admitted to the Supreme Court since 
1847, in the order of their admission : 

Bennett H. Vary, J. Addison Brown, Joseph Mac Naughton, Winslow 
T. Barker, Martin Thitcher, Ezekiel E. Cooley, Asahel Clark, Charles 
C Montgomery, Theodore E. Parker, Orrin L. Ray, Benjamin H. Fuller, 
William H.Andrews, James H. Barter, Henry M. Eastman, John Powell, 
Jun., Sylvester T. Pierce, Charles Rich, William H. Sawyer, John H. 
Sigourney. 

Members of the bar of Franklin county, derived from Mr. Joseph H. 
Jackson, of Malone, and by several lawyers in the county: 

George S. Adams, William M. Berry,f Marshall Conant, Leander 
Douglass, George W. Field,t Putnam B. Fish, Edward Fitch, Richard G. 
Foote, Joseph R. Flanders, Azel. Hay ward,* Asa Hascall,* Albert Hobbs, 
William L. Horton, John Hutton, William Hogan,f Joseph H. Jackson, 

"* Dead, f Removed. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



577 



David Jones * Edear A Keeler, Sidney Lawrence, William C. McVicker, 
Horace Meriani,t Joseph Moulton,t Henry A. Paddock, Ashbel B. Par- 
melee, Jabez Parkhurst, Walter H. Payne, Purdy,* John H. Russell, 

Joel J, Seaver, Elisha B. Smith, James C. Spencer, Francis Storms,t 
Horace A. Taylor, Jonathan Wallace, Almon Wheeler,* C. H. Wheeler,* 
William A. Wheeler, George H. Wood,t Thomas Wright, Junt 
St. Lawrence County. 

List of Public Officers.— The Sheriffs of St. Lawrence county, have 
been Thomas J. Davies, John Boyd, T. J. Davies, Joseph York, David 
C. Judson, Charles D. Raymond, Levi Lockwood, Minet Jenison, 
Lemuel Buck, Jonathan Hoit, Luman Moody, Benjamin Squire, Noble 
S. Elderkin, Josiah Waid, Henry Barber, and Reuben Nott. Mr. Lock- 
wood first held the oflSce by election, his predecessors having been 
appointed by the governor. 

County Clerks.— hou'is Hasbrouck, till March 1, 1817, with two years 
interval, in which Alexander Richards held the office. Myrtle B. Hitch- 
cock, Joseph York, James G. Hopkins, Wm. H. Root, Alvin C. Low, 
John L. Russell, (appointed July 8, 1843, to fill for a short time the 
vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Low,) Martin Thatcher, George 
S. Winslow. 

The following are fac similes of the signatures of cierks, with one 
exception, in which it could not be procured. It was inconvenient to 
arrange them in chronological order. 





'^^^^t^^4^/,Je^^ 






*Dead. t Removed. 





fuA^Jl^yiAJ^ 



573 HISTORY OP ST LAWRENCE 

I\rst Judges— Nathan Ford, 1809 till 1820. David A. O^den, till 1824. 
John Fine, till 1825; D. A. 0<rden, till 1829; John Fine, till 1838. 
Horace Allen, John Fine, from 1843 who held nntil the adoption of the 
new constitution. By tliis the office was made elective, and at a special 
election in June, 1847, Edwin Dodge was chosen, and in 1851, reelected. 

Assislant Justices. — By appointment, Stillman Foote, John Tibbits, 
Jim., March 10, 1802; Luke McCracken, Robert Livingston, Daniel W. 
Church, March 5, 1806; Daniel W. Church, Stillman Foote, April 8, 
1808; .John Tibbits, Jun., Luke McCracken, Charles Cox, Daniel W. 
Church, Stillman Foote, David Ford, David Robinson, Reuben Ashman, 
March 6,1811; Charles Cox, June 5, 1812; Daniel W. Church, John 
Tibbits, Jun., Stillman Foote, David Ford, Daniel Robinson, Reuben 
Ashman, April 5, 1814; Reuben Ashman, Jason Fenton, D. W. Church, 
Richard Townsend, Zephaniah French, Timothy Pope, John Polley, 
Charles Hill, Caleb Hough, Jun., April 15, 1815; Caleb Hough, Moses 
A. Bunnell, John Lyttle, Reuben Streeter, N. F. Winslow, March 16, 
1818. 

Judges. — Alexander J. Turner, Joseph Edsall, March 10, 1802; Rus- 
sell Attwater, Benjamin Raymond, Alexander Richarda and Joseph 
Edsall, April 8, 1808; Roswell Hopkins, March 27, 1810; R. Attwater, 
A. Richards, B. Raymond, R. Hopkins, Robert Livingston, David A. 
Ogden, March, 6, 1811; David A. Ogden, R. Livingston, June 5, 1812; 
R. Attwater, A. Richards, R. Hopkins, B. Raymond, D. Ogden, R. 
Livingston, April 5, 1814 ; R. Attwater, A. Richards, R. Livingston, 
Thomas J. Davies, N. F. Winslow, April 15, 1815; R. Attwater, R. 
Livingston, T.J. Davies, i. Fenton, A. Richards, March 16, 1818; Amasa 
Hackley, Jun., Jason Fenton, R. Livingston, Ansel Baily, Smith Stilwell, 
January, 24, 1823; R. Livingston, J. Fenton, S. Stillwell, A.Bailey, 
March 28, 1828; David C. Judson, .Tabez Willes, Asa Sprague, Jun., 
Chauncey Pettibone, March 13, 1829; Minet Jenison, January 10, 1832; 
Minet Jenison, Jan. 13, 1837; Zenas Clark, March 27, 1835; Minet Jeni- 
son, Jan. 21, 1837 ; Edwin Dodge, George Redington, Phinneas Attwater, 
March 19, 1845. This list is necessarily imperfect from the defective 
manner in which the records of appointments were formerly kept. 
Among those who have held the office, not above mentioned, are James 
Averill, Anthony C. Brown, Isaac R. Hopkins. 

Justices of Sessions. — (elected), .Joseph Barnes, James C. Barter, 1847; 
Joseph Barnes, Chilleab BilUng, 1849; Joseph Barnes, Silas Baldwin, 
1850; Joseph H. Beard, Silas Baldwin, 1851; and reelected in 1852. 

District Attorneys. — Amos Benedict, Samuel Whittlesey, A Benedict, 
Jesse L. Billings, and Ela Collins, while Lewis and Jefferson were 
united wtth this county as a district. Since 1818, John Scott, was the 
first one who held the office in the county; he was succeeded by Bishop 
Perkins. This office is now elective, and Charles G. Myers, was chosen 
at the special judicial election of une, 1847, and reelected in 1851. 

Surrogates. — Mathew Perkins, March 10, 1802. The earliest record of 
business done by the office bears date April 27, 1805. Andrew McCol- 
lom, Feb. 16, 1809. George Bovd, Gouverneur Ogden, March 3, 1813. 
Silas Wright, Jun., Feb. 24, 182L Horace Allen, Jan. 21, 1824. James 
Redington, March 30, 1840. Charles G. Myers, March 30, 1844. Benja- 
min G. Baldwin, July 1, 1847. 

All but the last named, held their office by appointment of the gover- 
nor. Since the adoption of the present constitution it has become in St. 
Lawrence county a separate elective office. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 579 

Coroners.— Seth Ranney, William Shaw, Feb. 29, 1804. S. Ranney, 
Win. Staples, Nicholas Reynolds, Marcli 5, 1805. John Lyon, Wil- 
liam Staples, Nicholas Reynolds, April 8, 1808. Benjamin Willard, 
Kelsey J. Thurber, John Boyd, Stephen Langworthj^, March 6, 1811. 
Wm. S. Guest, Wm. Perry, \Vins!ow Whitcomb, Clement Tuttle, June 
15, 1812. Joshua Dewey, Stephen Slawson, Caleb Hough, Jr., March 3, 

1813. John Herrick, Enoch Story, John Pierce, Levi Green, John Wil- 
liams, Dyer Burnham, Kirtland Griffin, Jeremiah Matherson, March 2, 

1814. J. Dewey, C. Hough, B. Willard, J. Boyd, K. J. Thurber, April 
15, 1815. J. Dewey, C. Hough, B. Willard, J. Boyd, K. J. Thurber, 
March 16, 1816. Reuben Attwater, N. F. Winslow, C. Hough, Elijah 
Baker, John Lyttle, Ira Ransom, K. J. Thurber, March 16,1818; R. Att- 
water, Elijah Baker, Ira Ransom, Joseph York, John Lyttle, Enos C. 
Eastman, April 8, 1819. R. Attwater, E, Baker, J. Lytle, J. York, E. C. 
Eastman, Wm. S. Guest, Charles Whalan, Hazen Rolf, and Jabez Willes, 
1820. Wm.S. Guest, Peter Pollard, Ira Collins, Thomas Bingham. Hazen 
Rolf, Zoraster Culver, Caleb Hough, Henry C. Green, Thomas D. Olin, 
Nathaniel Ives, Feb. 28, 1821. In 1822, the same with the addition of 
Thomas Hill. We are not able to procure six years. 

In 1828, John E. Perkins, Henry Foot, Samuel C. Barter, S. Pratt. In 
1831, Darius Clark, Wm. S. Paddock, Justus Pickit, Michael S. Daniels. 
In 1834, Abijah Rowley, Allen McLeod, Jr., Gideon Sprague, Almond Z. 
Madison. In 1837, S. Pratt, D. Clark, John Stone, Rudolphus Searle. la 
1840, D. Clark, Joseph H. Ripley, Royal Vilas, Smith Low. In 1843, D. 
Clark, Charles N. L. Sprague, Luther Lanphear,'R. Vilas. In 1846, D. 
Clark, Henry D. Lauglilin, Wm. S, Paddock, Heman W. Tucker. In 
1847, Wm. S. Paddock, re-elected. In 1849, H. D. Laughlin, Cyrua 
Abernethy. In 1851, L. Lamphear, Wm. S. Paddock. In 1852, T. O. 
Benjamin, Alexander, R. Gregor, John C. Preston. 

Loan Commissioners. — In 1808, $4,473 school moneys was received, to 
be loaned in the county, and the persons appointed to this trust up to 
1840, have been Russell Attwater, Alex. Richard, Thomas J. Davies, 
Joseph W. Smith, Smith Stillwell, Jason Fenton, Geo. Ranney, Alvin C. 
Low, Joseph Ames, 2d. In 1837,. $103,501, of the United States de- 
posit fund was received for loaning in the county, and George Ranney 
and Joseph Ames, 2d, were the commissioners first appointed. In 1850, 
this and the loan of 1808, were consolidated, and but one set of officers 
are required. 

Deputy Superintendents of Schools, appointed by the Supervisors. — Sylves- 
ter Ford, 1841, for the east section of Lisbon, Canton and Russell, and Jos. 
Hopkins for these and all the towns west. In 1843, George S. Winslow, 
for the whole county. Mr. Winslow resigned his office in 1844, and 
Charles Rich was appointed to the western, and Frederick P. Sprague, 
to the eastern sections.- In 1845, Sprague resigned, and Mr. Rich was 
appointed for the whole county, for the ensuing year. In 1846, Luke 
Carton was appointed, and held the office till it was abolished. 

Congressional Districts. — In March, 1802, St. Lawrence, with Herkimer 
and Oneida, were formed the 15th district. In 1812, with Lewis and 
Jefferson, the 18th. In 1822, with Oswego, Lewis and Jefferson, the 20th. 
In 1832, with Franklin, the 14th. In 1842, with Lewis, the 18th, and in 
1851, with Herkimer, the 17th. The representations, so far as ascertained, 
have been as follows, the years given being those in which they came 
into office: 1811, Silas Stowe ; 1813 and 1815, Moss Kent; 1817, 
David A. Ogden; 1821, Macah Sterling; 1823, Ela Collins ; 1825, Nicol 

35 



5 so HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Fosdick; 1827, Silas Wright; 18Q9, Jonah Sanford; 1831, Wm. Hopan; 
1833 and 1835, R. H. Gillet; 1837, James B. Spencer; 1839, John Fine; 
1841, Henry Van Rensselaer; 1843 and 1845, Preston King; 1847, Wm. 
Collins; 1849 and 18'21, Preston King; 1853, Bishop Perkins. 

Senators. — The jonrnals of the senate contain the following names of 
members from St. Lawrence county. Russell Attwater, 1814; Silas 
Wright, 1824; Jal.ez Willis, 1835; James G. Hopkins, 1840. Under the 
old constitution this formed a part of the western district. Under that 
of 1822, a |)art of the 4th. Under that of 184G with Franklin it formed 
the 12th, which has been represented by John Fine, Wm. A. Dart, and 
till 1854, by Henry B. Smith. 

Jlssemhly Districts. — This county was separated from Oneida and united 
with Jefterson and Lewis, about 1807, when Moss Kent, of Jefferson 
county, was the member. In 1808, Lewis Graves. In 1810 St. Law- 
rence was made a separate district, and has been represented as follows. 
In 1810-3, Roswell Hopkins; 1814; Louis Hasbrouck; 1815, David A. 
Ogden, 1816-18; Wm. W. Bowen ; 1819-21, Joseph York; 1822, Wm- 
H. Vining; 1823-4, Nathaniel F. Winslow; 1825, Jacob A. Vandeu Heu- 
vel ; 1826, Baron S. Doty. 

From this period till 1847, the county elected two members on a gen- 
eral ticket, viz: 1827, Sylvester Gilbert, Baron S. Doty; 1828, Moses 
Rowley, Jabez Willes; 1829, Harvey D. Smith, Jonah Sanford; 1830, 
J. Sanford, Asa Sprague; 1831, A. Sprague, Joseph Freeman; 1832, 
Wm. Allen, Edwin Dodge; 1833, Wm. Allen, Sylvester Butrick; 1834, 
S. Butrick, J. Willes; 1835-7, Preston King, Wm. S. Paddock; 1838, P. 
King, Myron G. Peck; 1839, M. G. Peck, Asa Sprague; 1840, A. 
Sprague, Zenas Clark; 1841, Z.Clark, S. Pratt; 1842-4, George Red- 
dington, Calvin T. Hnlburd; 1845, John L. Russell, Asa L. Hazleton ; 
1846, A. L. Hazleton, Bishop Perkins. 

The county is now divided into three assembly districts, as follows. 
In each of these one member is annually elected. 

Thejirst district comprises De Peyster, De Kalb, Fowler, Gouverneur, 
Hammond, Macomb, Morristown, Oswegatchie, Pitcairn, and Rossie. 

The second district, Lisbon, Madrid, Norfolk, Canton, Russell, Hermon, 
Fir»e, Edwards, and Pierrepont. 

The third district, Brasher, Massena, Potsdam, Stockholm, Lawrence 
Hopkinton, Colton, Parish vi lie, and Louisville. 

1847. Bishop Perkins, of Oswegatchie; 2d, Henry Barber, of Canton 
3d, Phineas Attwater, of Norfolk. 1848. 1st, Charles G. Myers, of 
Oswegatchie; 2d, John S. Chipman, of Madrid; .'id, Benjamin Holmes, 
of Stockholm. 1849. 1st, Harlow Goddard, of De Kalb; 2d, J. B. 
Picket, of Edwards; 3d, Noble S. Eldrkin, of Potsdam. 1850, Harlow 
Goddard, of De Kalb; 2, John Horton, of Madrid; 3d, Noble S. Elder- 
kin, of Potsdam. 1851. 1st, Smith Stillwell, of Oswegatchie; 2d, John 
Horton, of Madrid ; 3d, Noble S. Elderkin, of Potsdam. 1852. 1st, 
Smith Stilwell, of Oswegatchie; 2d, Benjamin Smith, of Russell; 3d, 
Parker W. Rose, of Parishville. 1853. 1st, Barnabas Hall, of Gouver- 
neur; 2d, Benjamin Smith, of Russell; 3d, Parker W. Rose, of Parish- 
ville. 

Public Officers, Franklin County. 

Sheriffs. — John Wood, Samuel Chapman, Zerubabel Curtis, James 
Campbell, John Wood, by api)ointment; John Mitchell, elected in 1822; 
Reeve Peck, John Backus, Orrin Lawrence, Aaron Beeman, Guy Meigs 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 581 

Wm. Andrews, Loyal C. Lathrop, Benj W. Clark, Rufus R. Stephens, 
and Janries C. Drake, elected in 1851. 

County Clerks.— James S. Allen, Gates Hoit, Asa Wheeler, Gates Hoit, 
Asa VViieeler, and Ebeiiezer Brovvnson, successively by a[)i)ointment. 
Asa Wheeler, elected 18'22 8; Abel Wilson, 1828-31; Samuel S.Clark, 
18314; Uriah D. Meeker, 1834-43; Lanriston Amsden, 1843-6; Henry 
S. Brewster, 1846-9; Samuel C. F. Tliorndike, 1849-52. 

Count}! Treasurers. — Nathan Wood, Hiram Horton, appointed Dec. 5. 
1810; Jacob Wead,.Tune 12,1821; Samuel C. Wead, April 24, 1843: S, 
S. Clark, Dec. 4, 1843. By election S. S. Wead, 1848; Wni. W. King, 
1851. 

First Judges.— Ehenezer Brownson, Feb. 21, 1809; Geo, F. Harrison, 
April 7, 1814; Joshua Nichols, Feb. 28, 1815; Albon Man, July 8,1816; 
Hiram Horton, Nov. 10, 1820; F. Brownson, Jan. 31, 1823; Henry S. 
Waterman, April 18, 1823 ; B. Clark, March 19, 1825; W. Hogan, March 20, 
1829; Rosvvell Bates, March 28, 1837; Henry B. Smith, February 24, 1843; 
Joseph R. Flanders, (elected) June 1847; John Hutton, (elected) No- 
vember, 1851. 

.Assistant Justices. — Jesse Chipman. Solomon Wyman, February 21, 
1809; Solomon Wyman, John Mazuzan, Fel)ruary 21. 1811; Amasa 
Fairman, February 26, 1812; Cone Andrus, Elisha Nichols, A.M.Hitch- 
cock, Wareham IJajJtinjrs, March 29, 1814; Seth Blanchard, James^S. 
Allen, John H. Russell, March 13, 1817. 

The following is a list of those who have been appointed judges, with 
the year of their appointment: 

Cone Andrus, '17; Wm. Bailey, '08; Roswell Bates, '23; Seth Blanch- 
ard, '12; Ebenezer Brownson, "'08; James Campbell, '17; Benjamin 
Clark, '23; Gideon Collins, '23; Silas Cushman, '09; Siunuel Hard, ';29; 
Geo. F. Harrison, '10; Wareham Hastings, '17; Wm. Hogan, '28; Hiram 
Horton, '14; Gates Hoit, '14; Moses Uoyt, '23; John B. Jackson, '22; 
Wm. King, '43; Sylvester Langdon, 34; Clark Lawrence, 31: Sidney 
Lawrence, 32; Albon Man, '10; Alric Man, '14; Joshua Nichols, '08; 
Jason Pierce, '24; Horatio Powell, '26; John H. Russell, '31; Elvin K. 
Smith, '43; Henry B. Smith, '33; Salmon Smith. '23; James B.Spencer, 
'14; Henrv Stevens, '45: Henry B. Titus, 32; John Varnel, '29; Asa 
Wheeler, "'08; Charles H. Wheeler, '22; Amherst K. Williams, '37. 

Justices of Sessions.— (Elected) Elisha B. Smith, Frederick P. Allen, 
1847; George W. Darling, Samuel Manning, 1849; Jonathan Wallace, 
Solon Parvin, 1850; Milton Heath, Elisha Hollister, 1851. 

»Surrog-a<es.— Joshua Nichols, March 2.3, 1808; Albon Man, April 7, 
1814; Ebenezer Brownson, July 8,1816; James B. Spencer, July 8, 1828; 
Sydney Lawrence, May 16, 1837; Martin L. Parlin, March 31, 1843. 

Since the adoption of the constitution of 1846, this office has been 
merged in that of the county judge. Joseph R. Flanders and John Hut- 
ton have accordingly acted in the capacity of surrogates since the adoption 
of the present constitution. 

Coroners. — Ezekiel Payne, Oliver Brewster, 1808: Joseph Mason, 
Anthony Sprag-ue, February, 1809; John Amsden, February 13, 1810; 
Noah Moody, Libiiis Fairman, February 26, 1812; John Wood, L. Fair- 
man, March 30, 1813; L. Fairman, Abel Wilson, March 29, 1814; L. 



582 HISTORY OF 8T. LAWRENCE 

Fairman, Leonard Conant, February 28, 18L5; L. Fairman, L. Conanf, 
March 1(5, 1816; N. Moody, March 27, 181G; John P. Andrus, July 8, 
1816; N. Moody, John P. Andrus, March 13, 1817; N. Moody, SamUel 
Peck, June 16, 1818; N. Moody, S. Peck, L. Fairman, March 13, ISli); 
S. Peck, L. Fairman, February 12, .1820; S. Peck, S. Hyde, Warren 
liriggs, John Mitchell, CM. Ervvin, February 13, 1821: S. Peck, S. 
Hyde, W. Brig-gs, C. M. Ervvin, Jeduthan Sherman, March 6, 1822. 

Elected by the people under the late constitution: 

Aretus M. Hitchcock, Samuel Hyde, Samuel B, Roberts, Luther Tay- 
lor, 1828; Asa|)h Watkins, Sidney Lawrence, Ezra Styles, Allen Lincoln, 
1831; Leonard Conant, Lowell W. Gurnsey, George A. Cheeney, Timo- 
thy Beaman, 1834; Archibald Fisher, Leonard Conant, George A. 
Cheenev, Simeon Bellows, 1837; Luther Taylor, Timothy Beaman, 
Eliflha kellog, Milton Heath, Thomas S.Mears, 1840; Carlos C. Keeler, 
Lucius Plumb, Samuel H. Payne, Dorius Cox, 1843; Henry Mallon, Eli 
B. Smith, Reuben Cady, Samuel H. Payne, 1846; Samuel H. Payne (did 
not qualify in 1846), 1847; William Gillis, Thomas J. Looker, Jonathan 
Hoyt, Charles J. Rider, 1849; John R. Merrill, 1851. 

Deputy Superintendents of Common Schools, for the county of Franklin, 

ap|)ointed by the board of supervisors: 

Dana H. Stevens, of Moira (Mr. S. was a physician, and died in Moira 
about 1850), appointed November 12, 1841; Elos L. Winslow, appointed 
November, 1845? DeWitt C. Backus, appointed November, 1847, but 
the office was abolished before he entered upon its duties. 

Congressional Districts. — In 1812, Franklin was, with Washington, 
Clinton and Essex, made the 12th district; in 1822, with Clinton, Essex 
and Warren, the 19th; in 1832, with St. Lawrence, the 14th; in 1842, 
with Warren, Clinton, and a part of Hamilton, the 15th; and in 1851, 
with Clinton and Essex, the 16th. 

Superinte7idents of the Poor. — A. White, B. Roberts, S, Langdon, 1848. 

Loan Commissioners. — Asa Wheeler, John Mazuzan, April 11,1808; 
William Bailey, Amasa Fairman, February 13, 1810; John L. Fuller, 
March 30, 1813, in place of Fairman (declined); John H. Russell, 1814; 
Thomas Smith, Cone Andrus, February 5, 1820; John McCrea, Febru- 
ary 25, 1822; James Campbell, Thomas Smith, February 7, 1824; Asa 
AVheeler, James Campbell, April 8, 1826; Oliver Westcott, James B. 
Spencer, February 20, 1829; Ebenezer R. Daggett, Orlando Furness, 
March 9, 1832; William King, in place of Furness (deceased). May 11, 
1835; Aaron Beeman, in place of Daggett, February 13, 1840; Cephas 
Watson, in place of King, February 13, 1840; Hiram B. Miner, in place 
of Beeman, February 24, 1843; Ebenezer R. Daggett, in place of Wat- 
eon, February 24, 1843; Ebenezer R. Daggett reappointed, March 19, 
1845; Reuben Cady, in place of Miner, March 19, 1845; Thomas J. 
Looker, in place of Daggett, March 3, 1848; Samuel C. F. Thorndyke, 
in place of Cady, March 3, 1848. 

At this period the old loan fund of 1808, was consolidated with the 

United States deposit fund. 

Commissioners of U. S. Deposit Fund. — Orrin Lawrence, Goodi'ich 
Hazen, April 11, 1837; George B. R. Gove, in place of Lawrence, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1840: Joshua Dickinson, in place of Hazen, February 13, 1841; 
HamWt B. Mears, in place of Gove, February 24, 1943; Jamgs Adani8> 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 583 

in place of Dickinson, Februaiy 24, 1843; Martin R. Diirkee, in place of 
Adams, March 9, 1845; John Roberts, 4th, in place of Durkee, MiJrch3, 
1848; Henry H. Hosford, March 3, 1848; Henry H. Hosford, March 19, 
1850; John Roberts, 4th, March 19, 1850. 

This county received $30,771*91 of the United States deposit fund. 

Jlssemhlymen from Franklin County, — By its act of incorporation, this 
county was attached to Clinton, forming one district, which was repre- 
sented by the following persons: 1802, William Bailey; 1803-4, Peter 
Sailly ; 1805, Benjamin Mqoers ; 1806, William Bailey ; 1807, 
Nathaniel Piatt ; 1808, Elisha Arnold; 1809, Kinner Newcomb; 
1810-11, Gates Hoit; 1812, no returns; 1813-14, Allen R. Moore; 
181.5, Robert Plutt; 1816-17, Benjamin Mooers; 1818, Gates Hoit; 1819, 
Ebenezer Brownson; 1820-1, Piatt Newcomb; 1822, Abijah North; 
1823, William Hogan. In 1823, Franklin county was erected into a 
single assembly district, and has since so remained. 1824, George B. 
R. Gove; 1825-6, Asa Hascall; 1827, James Campbell; 1828-30, Luther 
Bradish; 1831-2, James B. Spencer; 1833-4, Jabez Parkhurst; 1835, Asa 
Hascaii; 1836-8, Luther Bradish; 1839. Asa Hascall; 1840-1, John S. 
Eldridge; 1842, Thomas R. Powell; 1843, Joseph H. Jackson; 1844, 
Francis D. Flanders; 1845, Hiram Horton; 1846, Sidney Lawrence; 
1847, Joseph' R. Flanders; 1848, EIos L. Winslow; 1849, George B. R. 
Gove; 1850-1, Wm. A. Wheeierj 1852-3, Darius W. Lawrence. 



5 84 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



CHAPTER VIII. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 




'T is the most pleasing part of the historifin's duties to record 
the names and services of those who have acted n leading part 
in the events which make up the annals of any period or of any 
country ; and, in sliort, history may be considered but the record 
of tiie actions of leading men, as all popular movements and all 
the events of life are originated and guided by a few. In a vi^ork 
like the present, it is a delicate task to discriminate in the selec- 
tion of subjects for notice, and numl)ers are necessarily omitted 
from the impossibility of obtaining data concerning them. We trust it 
will not be deemed invidious that a few living citizens are noticed in the 
following pages. We have been induced to this from a frequently ex- 
pressed desire of numerous friends, and regret our inability to extend 
them to that of others, who through a long series of years, have been 
foremost in measures tending to the general welfare of the country, and 
the promotion of its internal improvement and prosperity. 

RussEi.L Attwater was born June 20. 1762, at Cheshire, Ct, and was 
a son of Reuben Attwater, of Englisb descent, and one of the committee 
of safety in New Haven county during the revolution. Mr. Attwater en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits at Blauford, Mass., in early life, and while 
on'business in New York in 1798, he was induced by McCormick, with 
whom he had dealings, to purchase parts of the present towns of Russell, 
Pierrepont, Hopkinton, &c., and to become an agent for McCormick, 
Harrison and others. An Account of his labors has been given in our 
history of Russell, Norfolk and Brasher. In 1808 he was appointed an 
associate judge, and held the office many years. In the opening of the 
St. Lawrence turnpike, and the roads towards Lake George and Albany, 
he had the principal direction, and his energies were for many years de- 
voted to the promotion of tiie various internal improvements of the coun- 
try. In 1814 he was elected a senator, and in 1816 a presidential elector, 
and voted for Clinton. He died at the residence of his son, Phinneas 
Attwater, in Norfolk, in June, 1851. 

Thomas B. Benepict was a son of a clergyman, a native of Woodbnry, 
Ct., where he was born October 23, 1783. When a young man, he came 
into De Kalb with judge Cooper, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. 
In 1812 he held a colonel's commission, and had principal charge of the 
military operations at Ogdensburgh in the summer of 1812. During the 
war he was promoted to a brigadier general. He was a man of much 
ability, and merited the confidence reposed in him, but military affairs 
impaired his relish for the quiet pursuits of peace, and presented tem[)ta- 
tions to which stronger men have vielded. He died at De Kalb, March 
11,1829. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



585 



John Boyd was born in New York city, August 2, 1772, and settled in 
Hamilton in 1805. Being appointed sheriff, lie removed to Ogdensburgh, 
and remained with an interval of two years, a citizen of that village till 
his death, July 17, 1833, after a long illness. He possessed much perse- 
verance and energy, and was an active and useful member of society 
who deeply felt the loss occasioned by his death. 

James Campbeli,. Few citizens of Franklin county have held more 
public offices or have seen more of the growth and progress of that 
country than Mr. Campbell. He was born in Rockingham, Vt,, June 3, 
1784, and in 1809 settled at French Mills, as a mechanic. In 1812 he 
was ?^ppointed inspector of customs, and during the snmmer of 1812, he 
acted as adjutant of the 66th regiment, then including the county, and 
assisttantU. S. store keeper, to receive the immense quantities of suj)plies 
ordered to the place during the sojourn of Wilkinson's armv. From 
1815 to 1818, he held the office of sheriff, and from 1818 to 1823, was 
one of the judges of the county. In 1820, as deputy marshal!, he took 
the census of the county, and in 1827, was a member of assembly. In 
various military and civil capacities, as justice, presidential elector, and 
in numerous town and county offices, he has been equally useful. 

Daniel W. Church, whom we have so often mentioned as a pioneer 
millwright, and to whom we are indebted for many facts relating to the 

origin of the several towns, was born 
May 10, 1772, in Brattleboro, Vt., and 
moved into the county in 1801, and 
for many years was actively engaged 
in erecting the first mills in various 
parts of this county and Franklin. 
In the hardships and labors neces- 
sarily involved in these pursuits, 
there was constantly afforded an op- 
P portunity for the exercise of that 
presence of znind and self reliance 
which rendered him particularly 
useful to the country, and during the 
military operations at Ogdensburgh, 
which terminated with its capture in 
February, 1813, he was particularly 
active. He is living at an advanced 
age, with a son in Morris- 
town. 

Thomas J. Da vies, a na- 
tive of Washington, Conn., 
/ came into the county in 

1800, at the age of 33, selected a farm on Black lake, eight miles from Og- 
densburgh, commenced improvements and in the following winter brought 
in his family by way of Vermont and Canada, and from an early period, 
took a leading part in political and public affairs, being the first acting 
sheriff of the county, which office he held for many years. He also for 
some time, held the office of county judge. He died on his farm at Black 
lake, April 18, 1845. Judge Davies, with only an ordinary education, 
possessed a business talent which joined with much energy of character, 
rendered him valuable as a public officer, and prosperous in his private 
affairs. He acted with the democratic party. His son, Charles Davies, 
has attained distinction as a mathematician, and for many years held a 
professorship in the military academy at West Point. 




CATfij 



Qi^n'JL ']/^^(^^cJv 



I 
586 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

John Fine was born in New York, AHgnst26, 1794, and was prepared 
for college by Andrew Smith, a Scotchman, a well known and severe 
teacher. He entered Columbia college in 1805, and graduated in 1809, 
at the age of J 5, receiving the second honor, the English salutatory. 
Among his college classmates were bishops B. T. Onderdonk and J. 
Kemper, Rev. Dr. W. E. Wyatt, Rev. C. R. DufFee and J. Brady; Drs. 
J. W. Francis and E. N. Bi'bby, and the Hon. Murray Hoffman. Mr. 
Fine studied law four years with P. W. Kadcliff, one j'ear with G. W. 
Strong, and attended a course of law lectures of one year under judges 
Reeve and Gould, at Litchfield, Conn. He removed to St. Lawrence 
county in 1815, and formed a law ytartnership with Louis Hasbrouck, 
which continued until the death of the latter in 1834. In 1824 he' was 
apppinted first judge of the county, and was continued in this office by 
reappointment till March, 1839. In the fall of 1838, he was elected to 
congress, and in the latter of the two years was on the committee on 
foreign affairs. In 1844 he was reappointed first judge, and held that 
office until the adoption of the new constitution in 1847. During his 
service of over eighteen years on the bench, </irce on/i/ of his decisions 
were reversed. In 1848 he was elected to the state senate, and served 
one term, during which period he introduced and aided in carrying into 
a law, the bill to punish criminally the seduction of females, and also the 
bill to protect the property of married women. The latter has made a 
great change in the common law, and raises the female sex from a menial 
and dependant condition, as regards the conti'ol of their property, to an 
equality with man. The refinements of civilized society, and the spirit 
of the Christian religion, justify the law which has been incorporated 
into our code, and from the favor with which it has been received by the 
public, there is a probability it will never be repealed. Judge Fine re- 
ceived the degree of Master of Arts from Columbia college, in 1812, and 
that of Doctor of Laws, from Hamilton college, in 1850. In 1847 and 
1849, he was nominated forjudge of the supreme court, but on each oc- 
casion was unsuccessful, the venerable Daniel Cady, of Johnstown, being 
elected. From 1821 to 1833, he held the office of county treasurer, and 
upon resigning, the board of supervisors passed resolutions expressive 
of their confidence in his integrity and ability.* In 1852 he published a 
volume of lectures on bw, for the use of his sons, of which Judge Cady 
has said : "I do not believe there is another work in the English lan- 
guage which contains so much legal information in so few words; all 
1 read and hear of the lectures, strengthens my conviction that they 
should be in the hands of every student who wishes to acquire in the 
shortest lime, a knowledge of the laws of his country." The high station 
and distinguished attainments of the one by whom this opinion was 
given, confer great value upon it. In the various benevolent movements 
of the day, and especially in the founding and support of the County Bible 
society, Judge Fine has been foremost, and he will long be regarded as 
the efficient supporter of this and other benevolent societies; as a dis- 
tinguished lawyer, an able jurist, and as one who in every respect baa 
adorned and elevated the society in which he has lived. 

Stillman Foote, the first pe^rmanent settler of Canton, was born in 

* " Resolved, That the board regrets that Mr. Fine finds the dnties of the oSice incompatible 
with his other businesSj and that in accepting his resignation they have been governed by a 
desire to comply with his request. 

Eesolved, That this board have the fullest confidence in the able manner in •which he has 
dischiirged his official duties, which have been highly aatisfaclory to the board of supervisor 
and to the public." 



AND FRANLKIN COUNTIES. ' 589 

Sinisbury, Ct., Sept. 10, 1783, and was the son of Daniel Foote, who 
was one of the first settlers of Middlebmy, Vt., where he erected the 
first mills. In 1840, at the age of 80, he divided his property among hia 
children, and with that londness for the life of a pioneer, charactei istic 
with the family, he accompanied his son in 1801 to Canton, where be 
died. S. Foote was the first magistrate appointed in town, and for many 
years took a prominent part in pnblic affairs. He died in 1834. 
George Foote, his brother, was born in 1749, and in the revolution was 
taken prisoner, but escaped. At an early day he settledln Canton, where 
he died May 12, 1830. 

David Ford, the pioneer of Morristown, was a native of New Jersey, 
and followed Judge Ford, his brother, to the county, in 1804. In early 
life he was a zealous politician, of the federal school, and in 1794, par- 
ticipated in the military expedition called out to suppress the whiskey 
riots of Western Pennsylvania. In this affair he held a major's commis- 
sion in a troop of horse. He died at Ogdensburgh, Nov. 6, 1835, at the 
age of 75. 

Nathaw Ford, was born at Morristown, N. J., Dec. 3, 1763, and hav- 
ing at an early age lost both parents, he spent his childhood with his pa- 
ternal grand-father, Jacob Ford, and remained after the death of the 
latter in 1777, with the family, receiving but a common education. In 
1779-80, he, though a youth of but 17, solicited a service in the continent- 
al armies, and obtained and faithfully discharged the duties of assistant 
deputy quarter master general during the memorable winter of suffering 
in which the American army lay encamped on the hills back of Morris- 
town. While still a young man, he obtained the confidence of several 
of the parties, who had, many of them, been officers in the revolution, 
and who had become interested in the land speculations of Northern 
New York, and was sent by them in 1794 and 1795 to explore the north- 
ern part of the state where they had made their purchases, and also to 
examine and report upon several of the islands near Kingston, which 
they were proposing to purchase upon speculation. 

We have given some of the details of his settlement at Oswegatchie, 
from which it will be learned that he was a man of indotnitabie energy 
and force of character, which proved adequate to the trying emergencies 
which surrounded him, and which would have discouraged common 
men from proceeding. The Oswegatchie Indians often proved annoying, 
especially when stimulated by ardent spirits, and on one occasion a num- 
ber of them in the night time, entered the old stone garrison which he 
inhabited, seized Dick his negro slave, and was about to put him into the 
fire which was burning in the room, but the cries of the frightened negro 
aroused Mr. Ford, who seized his sword, and without waiting to dress, 
he rushed into the room, and succeeded with the help he assembled, in 
diiving out the intruders. This affair probably occurred in a drunken 
row, for after the Indians had been driven from the house they began to 
quarrel among themselves, and one Battise, said to be a chief of the 
tribe, got stripped and beaten till he was nearly dead. • During the night 
he knocked at the door of Mr. Lyon for admission, and was allowed to 
enter and spend the night on the floor. In the tnorning as he arose to 
depart, he stooped down to the hearth, blackened both hands with coal, 
and rubbing them over his face, he with a whoop and a bound, sallied 
forth to avenge the injuries he had received on the previous night. These 
Indians were peculiarly addicted to intemperance, having for many years 
resided near a post where liquors were easily procured, and in conse- 
quence frequent quarrels arose among them, and the night was often 



690 HISTORY OF ST. I-AWRENCE 

made hideous by their bacchanalian riots and yelling. Two or three of 
their number got killed at these i-evels in 1796 and 7. 

Early in 1803, a dispute concerning timber on Ogden's island, alluded 
to on p. 343, had reached such a pitch that life was threatened, and the 
affair necessarily came under the notice of Judge Ford, who wrote to 
Governor Clinton as follows: "Upon my arrival here, I availed myself 
of the first safe opportunity to forward the letter (your excellency did 
nie the honor to commit to my care), to the chiefs of the St. Regis vil- 
lage. Upon inquiry, I found they had carried a very high hand respect- 
ing the island business, and absolutely went so far as to threaten the 
taking of scalps. This threat was made by Gray, and was jH-evioiis to 
Judge Edsall's sending the express forward. Upon my being inlbrnjed 
of this outrageous conduct, I wrote Gray a letter upon the subject, and 
wished to know how he durst throw out such threats against the citizens 
of this state; and told him it was absolutely necessary for him to come 
forward and make such concessions as conduct like this required ; that 
harmony and good understanding the citizens of this country were wil- 
ling to cultivate, but threats like this they would be far from submitting 
to, and the sooner he gave satisfactory explanations upon the subject, the 
sooner harmonj- would be restored. Had he resided in the county or 
state, as a magistrate, I should have pursued a different method with 
him. Col. Lewis, vvlio was on his way home from Oneida, (and who 
had not seen your excellency's letter to the chiefs, or mine to Gray), 
called upon me. 1 explained to him the subject of your excellency's let- 
ter, and also mine to Gray. I told him it was a matter of astonishment, 
that he and Gray should have to act in such 0})en defiance of the laws 
of the state as they had done respecting the sale of the timber upon the 
island; had it been by common Indians, some little apology might have 
been made ibr them, but for him and Grey, there certainly could be none, 
because they knew better, and they as certainly could have no doubt 
resting upon their minds as to the islands being comprehended in the 
isale of those lands to the state; and as an evidence that at the time of the 
treaty, he and Gray applied to your excellency, to know if the islands 
would not be taken possession of before the corn which was then upon 
them would be fit to gather. This was too strong a circumstance to 
admit of a quibble, and too well grounded in their recollection to be de- 
nied. He attempted a weak apology, and concluded by saying, he hoped 
good understanding would not be broken up, and that similar conduct 
would not take place. I then stated to him Gray's threats, and the 
necessity there was of his coming forward and making satisfactory ac- 
knowledgements which should be made as public as his threats had 
been. This he assured me he should do, and accordingly Gray came 
up, and after making the fullest recantation, declared he never meant or 
intended harm to any of the citzens of this state, and that he must have 
been in liquor when so unguarded an expression escaped him, and 
hoped the thing might be overlooked. I then talked with him upon the 
subject of the island. He did not pretend but that the islands were con- 
tained in the sales'to the state, but attempted to apologize by impressing 
the idea of a grant made to the St. Regis people of that particular island, 
by the Oswegatchie Indians. I found no difficulty to confound him in 
this specious pretext, for it has been his and Lewis's uniform declara- 
tion to me, that the Oswegatchie Indians never had any claim whatever, 
to lands in this part of the state, consequently they could not grant an 
island in the river. In consequence of his excellency's letter, the busi- 
ness of the island I hope is happily concluded, and I hope a similar oc- 




/^^^-J^i 



2^^^.->Z^ '?>..^ 




AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 593 

casion will not present itself. I consider it proper to give your excel- 
lency the earliest information upon this subject, and it was but yesterday 
that Gray cnrne forward." 

Mr. Ford was appointed first Judge, which office he held for many 
years, and in this capacity he ever evinced that promptness and decision, 
joined with sound judgement, that rendered him peculiarly valuable to 
the public, and a terror to evil doers. In politics he was federal, and 
although he denounced the policy of the war, his course was such as to 
secure the confidence of the officers stationed at Ogdensburgh, and he 
was particularly useful in disuading from predatory incursions for plun- 
dering which led only to retaliations. For several years previous to his 
death, which occurred in April, 1829, his constitution had been yielding 
to the insidious approaches of consumption, but the vigor of his mind 
remained unimpaired, and he continued to feel a deep interest in public 
affiiirs, after his strength had denied him the power of taking part in 
them.' He had seen and/e/f the first fefeble beginnings of a colony which 
had "-rown up to a j)opuious and thriving town, and the howling wilder- 
ness traversed only by savages and wild beasts, transformed into cidtiva- 
ted fields and inhabited by an intelligent and prosperous people. With 
the pro"^ress of a third of a century before him, he looked forward into 
coming°years, and with the prophetic faith natural to his employment, 
realized in his mental vision tl;ie change which a century would work in 
the condition of the country around him. Some time before his death, 
a friend conversing on this subject, asked him if, in his dreams, the 
future aspect of the town ever presented itself. The idea instantly struck 
him, and with an energy beyond his strength, and an eye kindling with 
enthusiasm be replied, "■Dreamt I see it! A rich and populous city! A 
wide extent of coimtry covered with houses; a harbor crowded with the 
fleet of the lakes!" He then went on and in glowing language, portray- 
ed the coming greatness and opulence which natural advantages were 
destined to confer upon the town. From the earliest period, Mr. Ford 
had taken the strongest interest in the welfare of the Presbyterian 
church in the village, and the day before his death, he had a conversa- 
tion with some of the officers of the society, in which he said, " You 
know the deep intej^st I have always taken in the society, and how 
ardently I feel at the close of life for its welfare. I enjoin it upon you 
all to cultivate peace among each other, and let no jealousies or dissen- 
tions creep in among you. Let every one of you try to excell the rest 
in giving up their own individual wishes for the good of the whole. 1 
am drawing nfear the close of life, I look forward to the salvation pur- 
chased by Christ, as abundantly sufficient to save all who will put their 

trust in him." , . . , , • ^ 

In person, Mr. Ford was thm and slender, and his features are well 
represented in the portrait given ; his eye possessed unusual brilliancy, and 
when excited by any topic that engaged his whole soul, it sparkled with 
enthusiasm and feeling. In his manners he was courteous and graceful, 
and his hos[)itality was of that elegant kind which while it made its 
recipients at ease, gave them a sense of welcome, and a home feeling, so 
eminently pleasing to the guests. He was interred in the family vault, 
in the western part of the village, which is neatly enclosed in a wall, 
and the grounds within are suitably adorned with shrubbery. 

Asa Hascall a native of Vermont, removed from Essex county 
where he had acquired the legal ])rofessioii, and settled at Malone, in 
1815 In 1818 he was elected supervisor of Malone which office he 
held till 1838. From 1840 to 1843, he held the same office. He was for 



^94 HISTORY OP ST. LAWRENCE 

many years a justice of the peace and district attorney for Franklin 
county. He also repeatedly represented his district in assemhiy. He 
died in Malone, January 5, 1852, at the age of 66, having for several 
years been disabled by a paralytic stroke. In his private and i)ublic life, 
lie was a true specimen of the noblest work of God. In every station 
which he held he always acquitted himself like a man. The members 
of the bar in the county, were accustomed to look to him with a feeling 
bordering upon reverence, as a pattern of integrity and worth in their 
})rofession^ whom they might safely imitate. As a citizen, as a lawyer, 
and above all, as a Christian, his influence was great and unbounded, 
and employed to a good account." 

Louis Hasbroock, was the fifth in descent from a family of French 
Huguenots, who fled from France to Holland, and thence to New York, 
and settled on the Hudson, in the present town of New Paltz, Ulster 
county. He was born at New Paltz, on the banks of the Wallkill, April 
22, 1777, and received his collegiate education at Nassau Hall, in Prince- 
ton, at which he graduated Sept. 25, 1797, and studied law in New York, 
under Josiah Ogden Hoffman and Cadwallader Golden. In August, 1801, 
he was admitted at Albany to practice in the supreme court, and in Sep- 
tember following, to the Ulster court of common pleas. While at Albany, 
at the time of his admission to the supreme court, he met with Judge 
Ford, and was persuaded to come to Ogdensburgh to settle, and through 
the same influence he received an appointment as clerk of the county, 
March 10, 1802. In June he arrived at Ogdensburgh, and officiated at 
the first court held in the old garrison in that month. He came by horse- 
back, with others, through the Mohawk and Black river countries. He 
returned in October, and continued for two years to spend his winters 
below, and his summers in Ogdensburgh. In May, 1804, he started with 
the view of making a permanent residence, accompanied by his wife, 
brother, a lady cousin, and a female slave, and proceeded up the Mo- 
hawk valley and the Black river settlements, in a wagon, as far as Cof- 
fin's tavern, in West Carthage. It being impossible to proceed further 
by wagon, he hired another horse of a Frenchman called Battise, and 
proceeded on from thence with three horses to the five travelers. One 
of the horses was used as a pack horse, and across tt were laid two bags 
containing provision and clothing. Their outfit for a march of several 
days through a wilderness, with no guide but a line of marked trees, and 
only casual opportunities of procuring supplies from the huts of scattered 
settlers, consisted of some dried beef, a few lemons for making lemon- 
ade, hard crackers, and a little tea and sugar. For milk, bread, and 
other provisions, they trusted to the supplies they might procure along 
the road of inhabitants, or kill in the forest with their fire arms. Mr. 
Joseph Hasbrouckled the waj, and the others followed in Indian file, 
adopting at times the practice of riding and tying, and at others mounting 
do«t>le. The route led through Wilna, Antwerp, and somewhere near 
thit Hne of the Old State road, to the Oswegatchie, at the present village 
of Heuvelton, where they crossed the river in a scow. Their first night 
was spent at Lewis's, their second at Lee's (now Mordecai Cook's, in 
Antwerp), their third at Bristol's (De Peyster's), and their fourth at the 
old garrison in Ogdensburgh. The Hasbrouck mansion was erected the 
year previous, and finished in 1804. Mr. H. moved for a few weeks into 
Judge Ford's building, at the garrison. Mr. Hasbrouck arrived in the in- 
fancy of its settlement, and commenced the practice of law in that vil- 
lage, which he continued till his death. He held the office of county 
clerk until 1817. During a period of thirty-two years, in which he saw 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 595 

the progressive and rapid rise of the county, from a wilderness to a pop- 
ulous and prosperous district, he was intimately.concerned with its busi- 
ness and its interests, and was extensively known to its citizens, by all 
classes of whom he was highly esteemed for the many excellent quali- 
ties he possessed. With the purest rectitude of principle in all his 
conduct, he united a kindness and benevolence of disposition, that made 
him alike respected and beloved by all. Modest and unpretending in 
his manners, he sought not public distinction, and preferred the walks 
of private life, from which he could not be prevailed to withdraw, until 
at the fall election of 1832, he reluctfntly consented to allow his political 
friends to nominate him for the office of senator of this state. To this 
office he was elected, and continued until his decease, which resulted 
from the hydrothorax on the 20th of Aug., 18.34. The members of the 
bar of the county of St. Lawrence, resident in Ogdensburgh, convened 
the day after, and testified their respect for the amiable character of the 
deceased by passing a series of resolutions highly expressive of their 
esteem for his merits, and sorrow at his death ; and followed in a body to 
his last resting place, the remains of the citizen whose memory it was 
their privilege to honor. The trustees of the village also called a meet- 
ing of the inhabitants to consider the proper measures to be taken for 
paying suitable respect to his memory. The meeting thus assembled, 
adopted measures for testifying their sorrow and expressing their sympa- 
thy with the family of the deceased. 

RoswELii Hopkins, was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, in May, 
1757. At an early age he embarked in the arduous struggle of the revo- 
lution, and was engaged in the battle of Bennington, and also at the 
capture of Burgoyne, near Stillwater. He afterwards served two cam- 
paigns as a volunteer at West Point, and its vicinity. His campaign at 
this latter place, was terminated, however, by his being taken a prisoner, 
when he was put on board one of the British prison ships, and eventu- 
ally landed at Newport, Rhode Island, where he was incarcerated with 
others for a considerable period, and for four days immediately subse- 
quent to landing, without taking a morsel of food. He. was released 
from this place on parole, about the close of the war. He settled in Ar- 
lington, in Vermont, where he resided till after he was appointed secre- 
tary of state, when he removed to Bennington, then the seat of the state 
government. Besides the office of secretary of state, (to which he was 
reelected annually, by the general assembly, ibr ten years or more in suc- 
cession, till he gave in his resignation), he held various other responsible 
state offices, and was once appointed elector of president and vice presi- 
dent of the United States. At the period of the early settlement of this 
region. Judge Hopkins purchased d large tract of land, including the 
townsiiip of Hopkinton, in this county, and removed his family from 
Vermont to his late residence. During all the hardships and privations 
incident to the settlement of a new country, a wide field is necessarily 
opened for the exercise of all those charities and acts of soothing kind- 
ness which have distinguished the conduct of some of the proprietors of 
this county. The course of Judge Hopkins with respect to the settlers 
of his land, to whom he stood in the relation of a father, was strongly 
marked by that unbounded generosity and munificence, which formed 
so prominent a feature in his character. Soon after the organization of 
the county, he was appointed a judge of the court of common pleas, the 
duties of which station he discharged with his usual ability, for several 
years. He was elected to a seat in the legislature of this state, four years 
euccesaively, from 1810 to 1813. For some years before his death he 



596 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

took no part in public affairs, but continued to enjoy the confidence and 
esteem of ail vvlio knew iiim. He died at the age of 73, Sept. 5, 1 8*^9, 
in Chazy, from injury sustained by being thrown from a wagon, and his 
remains were brought back and interred in Hopkinton. 

Hiram Horton. B'ew persons held a more conspicuous place in 
public life among the pioneers of Franklin county than Judge Horton. 
He was a native of Springfield, Mass., and his ancestors were among the 
first settlers of that place. In his youth he failed to enjoy the ad- 
vantages of an education, arid vvas never able to attend a district school 
but six weeks in his life, but feeling the importance of this element, so 
necessary for the nerformance of the active duties of life, he set himself 
about the task of ielf education, and at the age of twenty, had fitted him- 
self to become the teacher of a district school, and was employed as an 
assistant by the secretary of state in Vermont. At about this time he re- 
moved to Brandon, Vt., where he purchased a commodious farm on 
Otter creek, and now in part occupied by the village of Brandon, and by 
a diligent and successful course of industry, acq)nred a considerable 
amount of property. In 1808, he removed to Malone, where he pur- 
chased the mill privileges on both sides of Salmon river, and erected the 
first mills worthy of the name. He subsequently filled the offices of 
supervisor, county treasurer, judge, and first judge, and was for many 
years an agant for Pierrepont and Ellice, in the sale and settlement of 
their lands. His death occurred Oct. 5, 1824, at Malone, at the age of 
.64. During the war he was a federalist, but sustained the measures of 
government in prosecuting that measure, and towards the close of hia 
life his political preferences were in favor of Clinton. 

David C. Judson, came into the county of St. Lawrence in the spring 
of 1808, his father's family having settled on Black lake, in Osvvegatchie, 
two years previously, from Washington, Ct. It being the period of the 
embargo, Mr. J. engaged in no permanent business, until 1811, wlien on 
the appointment of the late Thomas J. Davies, to the office of sheriff, 
he in connection with his friend xVIr. York, undertook to do all the active 
duties of the office throughout the county, the former taking all east of 
the east line of Lisbon and Canton, and the latter the remainder. 

He accordingly located at Hamilton, in Madrid, and this arrangement 
continued during the official term of Mr. Davies, .nnd of Mr. York, his 
successor. In 1818, he was appointed sheriff, and assuming the active du- 
ties of the western half, and thus became thoroughly conversant with the 
entire county, and a witness of its early and feeble beginnings, which was 
of eminent service to him in subsequent lite. In the division of the demo- 
cratic party, during the era of good feeling in national politics, in rela-' 
tion to Mr. Clinton and his policy, Mr. J. adhering to Mr. C was re- 
moved from the office of sheriff, on the triumph of the Bucktail party, in 
1821. 

He was immediately after nominated and elected to the senate fr^^m 
the eastern district. The constitution of 1821, coming into operation in 
1822, by which all legislative and judicial offices were vacated, he de- 
clined renomination, and was principally instrumental in securing the 
nomination of Silas Wright, Jr., who was elected, and then first occu- 
I)ied the field in which he became so eminent. In the selection of a 
new suite for the public buildings, Mr. Judson from his intimate know- 
ledge of tiie county, gave his influence for a change, believing that the 
public wants required it, and his identification with this measure con- 
tributed to his election to the assembly in 1818, the county having be- 




Er^rE^vad Dy J C Bu-Ure mm a DaaJcrreOType 



ii \\ I ' 1 (' 






Cn-( 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 599 

fore been decidedly federal. The measure was brought forward this 
session, but defeated, principally through the influence of the late George 
Parish. In 1826 it was again brought forward, aided by Mr. Wright, in 
the senate, and Mr. Judson, notwithstanding his interests, and residence 
at Ogdensburgh, gave his influence for it. It was at lasL successful, 
having been made the issue of the election of ]8'27, and ha was one of 
the building committee appointed to superintend the erection of the 
new buildings, which were completed in time for the fall term of 1829, 
at a cost of less than $7000. 

From 1829 till 1840, he was one of the judges of the county court. 
In the fall of 1829, he was chosen cashier of the Qgdensburgh Bank, 
and remained till 1840, Avhen he resigned, and in the fall of that year 
was appointed collector of the district of Oswegatchie, by Van Buren, 
and held this station under the different presidents, until 1849, since 
which he has enjoyed " the post of honor — a private station." It is sel- 
dom that an individual is found, who for nearly half a century, has been 
so extensively and so intimately concerned in public affairs, and it is but 
justice to add, that his worth is appreciated as extensively as his name is 
known, and in most of the public improvements of the county in gen- 
eral, and of Ogdensburgh and vicinity ,in particular, we witness some of 
the beneficial results of his influence. 

Dr. Robert McChesnex, a native of Troy, studied his profession 
with Dr. Joseph White, of Cherry Valley, and David Little, of Spring- 
tield, N. Y., and in 1810, removed to Madrid, and in the year following 
to Potsdam. He there engaged in the practice of his profession with 
increasing reputation and success, until his death in May 1824, at the 
age of 3t3. He was a man of sound judgment and fine abilities, and en- 
joyed to a high degree the confidence of the public. 

David A. Ogdex, with his father Abraham Ogden, and his brother 
Thomas L. Ogden, all of whom then resided in Newark, New Jersey, 
purchased of William Constable in 1796, the town of Madrid. After 
the decease of their father the two brothers became the owners of this 
property, one third of which they sold in 1803, to Joshua Waddington, 
of New York. David A. Ogden, was the eldest of a family of twelve 
children. His father Abraham Ogden, was a native of New Jersey, 
where he spent the greater part of his life, and his ancestors were 
among the earliest settlers of that state. He resided in Morristown, 
during the time when the American army lay in winter quarters there, 
and his house was occupied by General Washington, as his quarters, 
during his sojourn there. Mr. Abraham Ogden, followed the profession 
of his father, that of a lawyer. Upon the organization of the general 
government, he received the unsolicited appointment of district attor- 
ney for the state of New Jersey, which ofiice he held until his death, in 
1798. Besides the purchase of Madrid as above stated, Mr. A. Ogden, in 
company with Mr. Hoffman, his brother-in-law, purchased a tract in 
Hague and Cambray, since called the Ogden and Hoffman tract. He 
was a brother of Samuel Ogden, the early owner of Oswegatchie, and 
th.e person from whom the present village of Ogdensburgh derived its 
name. D. A. Ogden, studied law in his father's office, and at about the 
period of the death of the latter, he removed to New York, and in com- 
pany with his brother T. L. Ogden, commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession, where they formed a business connection with Alexander Hamil- 
ton, which gave them a prominence in their profession, and terminated 
with the memorable duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, which 
cast a gloom of sorrow over the nation. Mr. Ogden continued the 



600 fflSTORY Of ST. LAWRENCE 

practice of his profession in New York until 1812, when he retired from 
that pursuit, to carry into execution a plan which he had for some years 
cherished, to remove to the St. Lawrence, and fix his permanent residence 
on its beautiful shores. In pursuance of this, he built a fine and sub- 
stantial dwelling on the island opposite the village of Waddington and 
commenced its improvement as a farm, which comprises nearly eight 
hundred acres. He was at this time in the prime of life, and carried 
with him those tastes for rural employments, which he had imbibed in 
early life, which with his favorite literary pursuits, were well calculated 
to render his residence agreeable, not only to himself, but to those who 
might associate with him. He early turned his attention to improving 
the natural advantages of his location, not only as an agricultural but as 
a commercial and manufacturing district. 

A feeling of brotherhood, and community of interest, was engendered 
by the difficulties encountered by the pioneer settlers, and many early 
emigrants speak with gratitude of the sympathy and assistance they re- 
ceived from him in time of need. He was once elected to congress, 
and for eight years held the office of first judge of the county court, 
when on account of declining health, he retired from the bench. At 
the announcement of his intention to do this, the grand jury then in 
session, passed a resolution expressive of their regard, and containing 
settlements highly complimentary to his character as a citizen and as a 
judge. With these exceptions he held no public offices. His death oc- 
ccured at Montreal, June 9, 1829, at the age of sixty. His remains were 
brought back to Waddington and interred. The St. Lawrence county 
bar, ujjon the news of his death being received, met and passed a series 
of resolutions highly expressive of their sense of the loss which they had 
to sustain in his death. 

David Parish, was the second son of John Parish, an English gen- 
tleman, a resident of Hamburgh, who was the first to hold the office of 
United States Consul at that place. The subject of this notice was one 
of five brothers, whose names were .John, David, Richard, Charles and 
George. The first is still living in Bohemia, and has attained much dis- 
tinction as an astronomer, which science he has pursued as an amateur, 
and a number of important discoveries have been made by him at his 
private observatory. He is the proprietor of a large crown estate, and 
to which a great number of serfs belong; and he bears the title of Baron 
Seuftenberg. Charles Parish, and Richard Parish, the latter the father 
of George Parish, Esq., of Ogdensburgh, still reside at Hamburgh, in 
Germany. Mr. David Parish was educated as a banker, which pursuit 
was the business of his father; and the financial operations in which 
they were engaged, were on a most extensive scale. About the year 
1808, there was an enterprise undertaken by some of the principal mer- 
chants and capitalists of Europe, in which they entered into an agree- 
ment with the French government, then in the hands of Bonaparte, to 
transfer a large amount of credits to Europe from the Spanish colonies 
in Mexico. The wars between France and England, and the restrictions 
upon commerce, which then existed, rendered the navigation of the 
Atlantic with valuable cargoes, extremely perilous, from their liability to 
capture by British cruisers, which swarmed in every sea where an 
opportunity existed for annoying the commerce of France. The only 
practicable way of transferring to Europe an equivalent for the specie 
which had been intercepted by blockade in the ports of the Spanish 
colonies, was to procure its shipment to maritime cities in the United 
States, where it could be invested in colonial produce, and shipped to 




r.uril \-l ,,.A1|.; 




i^ 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 603 

neutral ports in Europe, under the American flag, which in certain cases 
was allowed, by the arrogant British government, to pursue a commerce 
with Europe. The causes were then being developed which soon 
ripened into an open war between the United States and Great Britain, 
which principally grew out of the arbitrary assumptions of the latter 
government. The principal commercial house engaged in the enterprise 
above mentioned, was that of Hope &. Co., of Amsterdam, and Mr. 
David Parish was employed to visit the United States, to carry into effect 
the arrangements which had been made for the accomplishment of this 
object. Vessels built with express reference to speed, and manned by 
picked crews and experienced pilots, were employed to enter the block- 
aded ports whenever circumstances warranted, and convey the funds to 
such American ports as they might be able to enter. On several occa- 
sions very narrow escapes from capture occurred on these voyages, which 
, were generally remarkably successful, and proved very lucrative to the 
projectors. While engaged in carrying these measures into effect, Mr. 
Parish resided in Philadelphia, and his business brought him infrequent 
contact with the financial men of that place, among whom were Robert 
Morris, Gouverneur Morris, the Ogden families and Le Ray de Chaumont. 
Among the more prominent of the subjects which engaged these gentle- 
men at that time, was the purchase and settlement of lands in the state 
of New York, and this subject being kept prominently before him, he 
was induced to listen to overtures from them on the subject of purchases. 
From the peculiar organization of European society, the ownership of 
large landed estates confers importance upon the possessor, and places 
him on a level far superior to that of the owner of a similar amount of 
capital invested in manufacturing or commercial pursuits; and this is 
coveted as the most desirable species of weulth, as well from its perma- 
nence and freedom from loss by accident or fraud, as from the certain 
revenues which it produces, and the importance in social life which it 
confers. 

The gentlemen above mentioned were at that time engaged in settling 
their lands in the northern part of the state, and Mr. Parish, with the 
view of learning the value of the tracts offered him, sent Mr. Joseph 
Rosseel, then a young man, who had escaped from the military con- 
scriptions of his natiye country, to explore the country, and make to him 
a report of its value. The result was the purchase of extensive tracts in 
Rossie, Antwerp, Hopkinton, Parishville, &c., and the village of Ogdens- 
burgh, excepting parts previously sold. In September, 1814, the town- 
ship of Hammond, and at various times, other tracts have been added to 
these purchases. Soon after acquiring an interest in these lands, Mr. 
Parish commenced the task of their improvement and settlement with 
much energy, and possessing resources which enabled him to undertake 
that which mefti of limited means would not have been able to accom- 
plish. In 1810, he erected the large stone store on Water street, and 
his dwelling in Ogdensburgh, and in 1813, commenced the construction 
of a blast furnace at Rossie. The settlement of Parishville, and the 
openingof lines of communication between different sections of the coun- 
ty, and to the markets; the erection of mills, and openingof mines of iron 
ore, were among the enterprises in which he engaged, and which gave 
life and spirit to the settlements which he projected, and employment 
for the industry of those who had no other means to meet the payments 
due on their purchases, than the labor of their hands. The war checked 
the prosperity of Ogdensburgh, but scarcely affected the back settle- 
ments of Parishville and Rossie, which rather increased in proportion as 
36 



604 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the front diminished in popnlation, from tlie accessions which they re- 
ceived from the timid, and those thrown out of employment by the war. 

While the war was pending, and in anticipation of the event, the 
government negotiated a loan of $16,000,000, and Stephen Girard 
and David Parish became parties to the loan of $7,000,000 of this sum. 
With occasional interruptions, Mr. Parish continued to be engaged in 
the improvement of his estates in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties, 
until tlie year 1816, when he returned to Europe. Not long after this, 
he was induced, through the influence of Count Metternich, the cele- 
brated Austrian minister, to engage in a partnership with the commer- 
cial house of Fries & Co., of Vienna, with the expectation that they 
should have a share of the patronage of the Austrian government in its 
financial operations. The parties with whom he became associated, 
sustained the style of living and equipage which can be afforded only 
by princes with imperial revenues, and although their dwellings con- 
tained galleries of paintings, and elaborate treasures of the fine arts, and 
they displayed all the dazzling parade of wealth, the real condition of 
the firm was most corrupt, and its affairs were fast tending to irretriev- 
able bankruptcy. This fact Mr. Parish did not, unfortunately, discover, 
until it was too late to recede, and he found himself involved in the ruin 
which shortly overtook them. 

A large portion of his European estates were sacrificed to satisfy the 
claims of creditors of the house with which he was involved. The 
business in America, which had for some time previous been managed 
by David and George Parish, was soon after assumed by the latter. Mr. 
David Parish will long be gratefully remembered, by the citizen of St. 
Lawrence county, as their early benefactor, and is never mentioned by 
those who enjoyed an acquaintance with him, without a warm expression 
of esteem and respect. His wealth enabled him to extend those offices 
of kindness and support to those who needed, which with many would 
exist in intention only: the deserving poor found in him a benefactor; 
the man of enterprise and industry, a patron; the gentleman of culti- 
vated mind, and enlightened views, a companion, who could appreciate 
and enjoy his society; and every member of the community in which 
he lived felt towards him a sentiment of respect and regard, which was 
as universal as it was deserved. 

The portrait which we give, was engraved after a miniature, painted 
on ivory, by Spornberg, at Cheltenham, in England, in .1810, and is said 
by those who knew him, to be a correct resemblance. Mr. Parish was, 
by a special act of the legislature, passed in November, 1808, empowered 
to hold and convey real estate, but this act did not confer upon him the 
full right of citizenship. 

George Parish, was a younger brother of David Parish, who received 
a finished commercial education in Europe, and came to Ogdensburgh 
to reside, in 1816. He had pi*eviously held the office of collector in the 
East Indies, and was a gentleman of great intelligence, polished man- 
ners, and a capacity for the transaction of business which is seldom sur- 
passed. He continued the improvements which his brother had com- 
menced, and was among the first of our land proprietors who adopted 
towards settlers the equitable and accommodating system of receiving 
payments in kind, of whatever surplus grain, stock or labor he might 
have in exchange for land. The greater portion of the northern part of 
the state was purchased and held by capitalists, who bought upon specu- 
lation, and sold their lands through agents who received money only for 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 605 

their lands. The proprietors residing in the cities felt no personal 
interest in the afiairs of their settlements, further than to realize as large 
a profit as possible, and expended money for roads and improvements 
only so far as it tended to enhance the value of their property and make 
it more saleable. The moneys received were usually remitted to the 
owners, and the country not benefited by its expenditure; and this sys- 
tem very naturally gave rise to a feeling of ill will towards the proprietor, 
which was evinced in various ways. 

To this may be traced ihe causes of those abuses of power in voting 
for taxes, of which our past history affords many examples, and which, 
in some instances in Franklin county, grew into a studenduous system 
of fraud and crime, which required the action of the legislature to sup- 
press, by withdrawing the power which had been exceeded. 

The privations of a poineer settler, who has to contend against the 
rugged wildness of nature, in addition to povertj', want of access to 
markets, and the numerous casualties which befall those who advance 
beyond the precincts of civilizatiou, and lay the foundation of what it is 
his ambition to make a home, and a freehold, are of such a nature that it 
requires persevering industry and rigid economy on the one side, and 
forbearance, liberal accommodation and easy terms on the other, ia 
order that the purchaser and the landlord may each derive the greatest 
benefit, and the settlement prosper to their mutual advantage. During 
his residence in the count}% he acquired the general respect of the 
inhabitants, by his courtesy and kindness. With the graces and urbanity 
derived from his early education and former associations, and a true 
sense of the requirements which genuine politeness, unattended with 
ostentation, or aristocratic airs, dictate, he assumed no position in the 
society of those around him which was calculated to convey a feeling of 
superiority. During his administration of the estates of the family in this 
country, he spent several years in traveling in the north and east of 
Europe. In the course of these journeys, he traversed Norway and 
Sweden, visited St. Petersburgh, Moscow, Astrachan and many other 
cities in the east of Europe, and was preparing to undertake an exten- 
sive tour over Asia, when he died suddenly at Paris, France, on the 22d 
of April, 1839, at the age of 58. 

Dr. Horatio Powell, a native of Hartford, Vt., removed to Malone, 
and engaged in the practice of medicine, in 1811. From that period 
till within a few years before his death, he continued in the practice of 
that laborious profession, and acquired to a great degree the confidence 
and patronage of the citizens of Franklin county. For several of the 
latter years of his life, he was disabled by a paralytic affection. He died 
at Malone, November 12, 1849. 

Benjamin Raymond, a son of Paul Raymond, was born at Richmond, 
Mass., October 19, 1774. Jn his youth he received such advantages as 
his native town afforded, and while a young man removed to Rome, and 
became acquainted with Mr. B. Wright, which led to a friendship that 
endured for life. In this way he became connected with the surveys of 
northern New York, of which we have given an account. While tra- 
versing the country, the several parties would occasionally meet, and 
spend the night together, exchanging the news which they might chance 
to pick up, compare notes, and speculate on the probable destiny which 
the future held in store for the country which they were exploring. On 
one occasion, Mr. Raj'mond, in a letter to Wright, distinctly expressed 
his belief, that the navigable icaters of the St. Lawrence would at a future 



606 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

day be united taith those of take Champtain, so as to afford a channel of 
communication hetiveen them; and this germ of an idea of a canal he never 
lost sight of, but often and repeatedly urged it upon the public notice, 
and lived to see a concerted and general movement towards its realiza- 
tion, nor was the project wholly abandoned, until it gave place to a 
scheme for a rail road, which has but recently been completed. 

Having traveled through St. Lawrence county in various directions as 
a surveyor, and observed the character of tlie soil and surface, he pro- 
cured, on his return, from the proprietors of Potsdam, an agency for the 
sale and settlement of that town; and in this he was aided by the influ- 
ence and recommendation of his iriend Wright. In May, 1803, he 
started for his location from Rome, in a bateau, laden with iron for a 
mill, provisions for the season, and several men, and proceeded by the 
slow and difficult water route to Point Iroquois, above the present village 
of Waddington, where he hired teams, and opened a road sufficient to 
allow the passage of wagons to a point on Raquette river, about half a 
mile below the present site of Potsdam village. Here he built a raft, 
and floated up his effects to the falls, where he landed on the west side 
of the river, opened a land office in a bark shanty, and commenced the 
erection of mills. During the first year, he got in operation a saw mill, 
cleared a small tract and made arrangements for removing his family. 
In 1804, he returned and spent the summer, erecting a grist mill and a 
house, which was the first framed dwelling in town. The principal 
roads from the village to the neighboring towns are very direct, and were 
surveyed by Mr. Raymond, during the first season of his residence, with 
the view of making his settlement a central point with relation to the 
surrounding towns. During the second year of his residence, he opened 
a small store, for the accommodation of his settlers, and in 1810, he built 
a house, which he called an academy, and subsequently conveyed for that 
purpose. In the founding of this institution, and in securing its endow- 
ment by an appropriation from the state, he was peculiarly active and 
successful, and the St. Lawrence Academy may justly be considered as 
owing its origin to the zeal and energy of Mr. Raymond. He also took 
an active part in organizing the first religious society in town, and in se- 
curing the services of a clergyman. 

About the year 1810, he became an agent for a tract of land in the 
town of Norfolk, and erected a warehouse at the head of navigation on 
Raquette river, and subsequently took much interest in the navigation of 
that stream, which was in early times regarded as a matter of much im- 
portance. The potash and other produce of the young settlements back 
of this place, was brought here for shipment, and the merchandise used 
in the country arrived by the same route. 

In 1818, he removed to the settlement in Norfolk which bears his 
name, and which it received at the request of the inhabitants on the es- 
tablishment of a post office. He remained at this place several years, as 
the agent of Mr. McVickar, having relinquished the agency of Potsdam, 
and engaged in the improvement of his new settlement, the erection of 
mills, and the formation of a line of boats to run between this place and 
Montreal. He was engaged in this business in partnership with Henry 
McVickar, and continued in this connexion until the death of the latter 
in Europe. Mr. Raymond was appointed one of the first justices of the 
peace on the organization of the town, and held that office as well as 
that of supervisor of the town of Potsdam, for many years. On the 8th 
of April, 1808, he was appointed a judge and justice of the county court. 
In 1823, he was employed by a committee chosen at a convention called 




^^-r^/ ^-;"?^^-7^ 



^^/ y^ 




yz (^?^V 



l.v I'pankhn V,. H'.ni«:li. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 609 

to concert measures for securing a canal frona the St. Lawrence to Lake 
Champlain, to examine the route, and his report was instrumental with 
the petitions forwarded to the legislature in securing the passage of a 
law providing for the survey of the route by one of the engineers (Mr. 
Holmes Hutchinson), in the employment of "the canal commissioners. 

He continued actively engaged in his land agency, milling, farming, 
and merchandise, until 1824, when he went as an engineer and assistant 
of Benjamin Wright to the south, and engaged on the Delaware and 
Chesapeake canal, where he soon after sickened and died of a prevailing 
fever at St. Georges, Newcastle, Delaware, on the 26th of September, 
1824. Mr. Raymond was tall and well built, and possessed a dignified 
and genteel deportment, which would lead one to select him in a crowd, 
as a man of superior ability and one w ho took a leading part in pub'.ic 
affairs. His complexion and hair were light, and his features are admir- 
ably represented in the accompanying engraving. A single propensity 
in his character, impaired his usefulness and prevented him from being 
universally esteemed; which was a peculiar faculty for sarcasm that 
possessed a point and severity, and was expressed in language so concise 
and pertinent, that its sting often remained in the feelings of the unlucky 
subject long after the occasion had passed w^hich induced it. This 
was not indulged from a cynical motive, nor from malicious feeling, for 
DO man ever possessed a heart more open to the calls of humanity or a 
hand more ready to convey relief to the widow and the fatherless, the 
sick and the afflicted, than him; but rather to gratify a taste for the lu- 
dicrous, and to hold up in an absurd manner the arguments and motives 
of those from whose opinions 'he differed. Among those who had been 
politically and otherwise opposed to him on numerous occasions, and 
who had oftenest been the subject of his satire, the writer has not found 
one individual who did not concur in the assertion, that Mr. Raymond 
was a man of spotless integrity, great benevolence, and superior ability, 
in whatever station of public or private life he was called to fill. 

AxEXA>TJER Richards, was a native of New London, Conn., where 
he spent his early life. When a young man he removed to New Jersey, 
and becoming there acquainted with the Ogden family, he was sent by 
them as an agent to their lands in Madrid, where he located as the suc- 
cessor of Joseph Edsall in the land agency of that town in 1803. In 
1811, he was appointed collector. During the war he was an active par- 
tisan, and being of the republican school of politics, he sustained that 
measure to. the extent of his abilitj\ He died at Waddington, Oct. 16, 
1834, aged sixty-nine. 

Joseph Rosseel, although never placed in a public station, yet from 
his early and prominent connection with the business of Ogdensburgh, 
has become in a measure identified with its history. He is a native of 
Ghent, Belgium, and came to America at the age of 25, with letters from 
the house of Hope & Co., of Amsterdam, introducing him to Mr. Parish, 
and to several commercial houses, ostensibly with a view of extending 
his commercial knowledge, but in reality, to avoid the military conscrip- 
tions of Napoleon. He reached Baltimore in August, 1807, and resided 
a year in Philadelphia, where he became acquainted with Robert H. 
Rose, late of Montrose, Pa., and with him took a tour into Pennsylvania. 
Late in 1807, he was sent by David Parish to explore the lands in North- 
ern New York, which that gentleman proposed to buy, but from the 
lateness of the season was obliged to defer the exploration, which was 
accomplished in the summer of 1808, in which he traversed Antwerp 



610 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Rossie, and Kilkenny, then mostly a wilderness. In September, while 
on his way to " the garrison," he met D. Parish and G. Morris, and the 
latter oftered strong inducements lor him to locate at Morriatown, and 
promised a gift of a mile square, where the village now is, if he would 
establish himself there; but Mr. Parish was convinced that Ogdensburgh 
would be the place, and his advice prevailed. With Mr. Parish's advice, 
and sustained by his capital, he commenced mercantile business with 
David M. Lewis,* under tiie firm of J. Rosseel & Co., and for several 
years did an extensive business, but an unfortunate speculation in western 
produce led to embarrassments, which Mr. Parish met. Having implicit 
confidence in Mr. R. he offered to again establish business, or to give 
him the general agency of his lands. He chose the latter, and has since 
continued in the employment of the family. 

Dr. Joseph W. Smith, was the first physician who settled in St. 
Lawrence county, at a period when the hardships of that laborious pro- 
fession were unusually severe. The physician's avocation is always one of 
great responsibility, and requires for its successful prosecution the great- 
est amount of sagacity and skill, but especially amid the privations of a 
new settlement, where conveniences for the sick are sometimes not pro- 
curable, and the usual methods from necessity are supplanted by such as 
the exigencies of the moment may suggest, does it require in a special 
manner the exercise of sound judgment and a prompt and judicious 
action. Dr. Smith was born at Cheshire, Mass., Feb. 22, 1781. His 
father removed from Cheshire to Addison, Vt., and died in the year 1791. 
He studied with Dr. Ebenezer Huntington, of Vergennes, in 1799, and 
completed his professional studies with Dr. William Rose, at Middlebury, 
in 1802. In the following year, he removed to Lisbon, and commenced 
practice. During the time he resided here, his business extended to 
Madrid, Canton and Oswegatchie, and was one of great hardship from 
the want of passable roads, and the great distance which he was com- 
pelled to travel, often on foot from the impossibility of getting through 
otherwise, and exposed to the various vicissitudes incident to a new 
country. He has been known to travel on foot through the forest by 
torch light, at night, without a road, to Canton, a distance of 18 miles. 
In 1807, he removed to Ogdensburgh, and became the first physician at 
that place. He was the first president of the County Medical Society, 
and continued to fill that office during a great part of the time till hia 
death. He also held the office of loan commissioner for some time. 
The following tribute to his memory, published soon after his decease, 
is believed to be but a just picture of his life and character: 

" From the first settlement of the county till the close of his life, his 
whole time and energies were devoted to his profession. He underwent 
incredible fatigue in his extended practice in the country without roads, 
and never spared himself in his exertions to mitigate the pain of others; 
neither dangerous roads, or the darkness of night, or inclement weather, 
ever deterred him from attending to the calls of the sick, even though 
that call were made by the most poor and profligate of our race; all will 
bear him witness to his kindness, charity and compassion. It was no 
selfish principle that prompted his exertions. The love of gain seemed 
to have no influence with him, for he habitually did himself great in- 
justice, as well in respect to the amount of his charges, as in his reluct- 
ance to collect those he had made. He was undoubtedly a man of great 

* Mr. Lewis was private secretary of Mr. Parish, and died in New Orleans, June 1, 1&34, 
aged fifiy-eight. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 611 

Bcience, skill and judgment in his profession. Perhaps no physician 
ever had the universal confidence both of his professional brethren and 
of his patients^ than Dr. Smith; at the bedside of a patient he was rarely 
mistaken, either in the disease or its appropriate remedy. To the poor 
and distressed he was the good Samaritan, and in t])e various relations 
of professional and private life he was ever found exemplary." 
He died at Ogdensburgh, July 4, 1835. 

GuRDON Smith, was born in Windham, Ct., Feb. 12, 1775, where he 
resided till his'^lst year, when he removed to Rome. Here he became 
acquainted with Mitchell and Wright, who had been extensively engaged 
in surveying, and becoming interested in this science, he commenced 
the study and subsequently assisted, as has been elsewhere stated, in the 
township surveys of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. He was one 
of the first justices of the peace appointed on the organization of the 
town, which were Benjamin Raymond, John Delanee and Gurdon Smith ; 
the latter held his ofiice about twenty successive years. 

James B. Spencer, removed fi-om New Haven, Vt., in 1810, to French 
mills; during the war he served his country with fidelity, in the capacity 
of captain in the 29th regiment of U. S. Infantry, and took part in several 
of the engagements of this frontier. He subsequently held many ofiices 
of trust, among which were those of magistrate, judge, deputy collector, 
member of assembly, presidential elector, and Indian agent, and in 1836 
he was elected to congress. His tastes led him into the field of political 
strife, and he acquired much influence in the democratic party. A deep 
thinker and a man of an active temperament, he was well calculated to 
plan and execute whatever business of a political or a social nature 
he might 'Undertake. Few citizens of the county have acquired 
more influence, or have been more highly esteemed than the subject of 
this notice. He died at Fort Covington, in March 1848, at the age of 64. 

Richard Townsend, was born at Hebron, New York, about 1768. In 
his youth he pursued the study of medicine but did not engage in its 
regular practice. He removed to Delhi, Delaware \County, and engaged 
in the business of lumbering, when being in New York, in the course of 
his trade he became acquainted with Gouverneur Morris, by means of 
Gen. Lewis R. Morris, which resulted in his appointment as agent for 
the sale and settlement of wild lands in the townships of Cambray and 
Kilkenny, much of the former belonging to Morris, and the latter to 
Messrs. Fowler and Gilchrist. He was married about 1804, and in the 
year following made the first exploration with the view of settlement, of 
which a particular account is given in our history of Gouverneur. He 
settled in the village of Gouverneur, and spent the remainder of his life 
in that town, devoting his time to his agency, and to farming. During 
the epidemic of 1813, he practiced his profession, from necessity ; but 
otherwise did not serve the public in that capacity except in cases of 
emergency. Towards the close of life he became a Quaker, and died in 
that faith, at his house two miles below the village, about 1826. He was 
interred at the Friend's settlement in Philadelphia, Jefferson county. 
He was active, intelligent and benevolent, and won the esteem of his 
settlers by his kindness and generosity. 

William Henry Vining, was a young man of brilliant talents and en- 
dowed with a capacity which would have rendered him the ornament 
of his age, had his life been spared, but he was unfortunately for his 
country, stricken down early in life, but not until he had evinced on 
several occasions the splendor of his genius, and those traits of character 



612 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

which belong not to ordinary men. Mr. Vining's father was a member 
of congress from the state of Delaware, who died without wealth, and 
left his family dependent upon relatives. The mother alse died while 
her sons were young, leaving the training of their children to a maiden 
aunt. Two of them were educated at West Point, but died young. 
Henry was received while a boy, into the family of Mrs. Gouverneur 
Ogden, his maternal aunt, and came to Waddiugton, where he after- 
wards lived. Adopting the legal profession he studied in the office of 
his uncle G. Ogden, and was admitted to practice in the supreme and 
county courts as an attorney in 1817, and as counsellor in 1820. In 1821 
he was elected to the assembly, but declining health prevented him 
from taking his seat. In the autumn of that year he sailed for the island 
of St. Croix, and arrived, as he expressed it in a letter to a friend, " A 
lonely invalid in the land of the stranger." In the spring he returned to 
New York without benefit from his voyage, and died in that city among 
his relatives in 1822. In the few cases at which he appeared at the bar, 
he evinced an eloquence and ability that elicited remark, and on an 
occasion of a slander suit, while pleading the cause of the plaintiff, it wad 
said by several members of the profession that the plaintiff could well 
afford to be slandered, to be so eloquently defended. The management 
of his argument was masterly and its effect upon the jury and the 
audience was wonderful. On another occasion before the supreme 
court at Utica, he received the commendation of Chief Justice Savage, 
for the chasteness and purity of his language and careful preparation of 
authorities. He was a man of delicate sensibilities, a lively and poetic 
fancy, and of unsullied purity of character; he recognized in the beauties 
of nature the evidences of a God whom he loved and worshiped, and on 
every occasion which hisbrief career afforded, evinced that he possessed 
a heart that sympathizes with his fellow man, and a genius that needed 
but the opportunity to have rendered him eminent. The foregoing facts 
are derived fix)m an article written twenty years after his death, by one 
Avho knew him well, and had been favored with his confidence. 

Dr. Henry S. Waterhouse, was a native of Salisbury, Vt., from which 
place he removed to Oneida, and thence to Malone, where he settled 
during the war, as a physician and surgeon. His tastes and studies led 
him to direct especial attention to anatomy, and he acquired much dis- 
tinction as a surgical operator, and led to an appointment in the medical 
department of Vermont university, in 1826. He held this post about 
two years, and then removed to Key West, Florida, where he resided 
several years. He was drowned at Indian Key in Florida. 

Joseph York, the second sheriff of St. Lawrence county, an active 
partisan in the war of 1812-15, and a citizen who enjoyed to a great de- 
gree the esteem of the public, was born in Clarenden, Mass., Jan. 8, 
1781, and removed with his father's family at an early age to Randolph, 
Vt. From thence he emigrated in 1805, to Ogdensburgh, and for three 
years held the post of deputy sherifi imder Thos. J. Davies, when he 
succeeded that gentleman, and held the office of sheriff four years. At 
the battle of Feb. 22, 1813, he was residing in the court house, and had 
care of the prisoners. Measures had been taken to raise a new com- 
pany, and he was to have been one of its officers. He had charge of a 
cannon which was posted at the corner of Ford and Euphamia streets, 
and was the only person of his party who was not killed or wounded. 
He was captured and taken to Prescott, but soon after, at the intercession 
of his wife, he was paroled, and in a few weeks after exchanged. The 
prisoners in jail were set free on their own as^sertion that they were con- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 613 

fined for political offences, but upon being assured of the contrary, they , 
were mostly rearrested, and given up to Mr. York, who met the British 
authorities at the national boundary on the ice, in the middle of the St. 
Lawrence, and received them. Among these was one who had fled to 
Montreal upon his receiving his liberty, and was there captured. He 
had been confined on a charge of murder. During three successive 
years, Mr. York represented the county in the legislature. The town of 
York, in Livingston county, N. Y., derives its name from him. He died 
on the 6th of May, 1827, at the ageof 46, after a lingering illness of seve- 
ral months. . . ^ 
Mr. York was a very public spirited man, and especially m times ot 
danger or alarm, he was one of those who placed himself in front, and 
by his word and example encouraged others more timid or less qualified 
to think for themselves at moments of excitement. This was particu- 
larly the case in fires, on which occasion he never failed to take the lead 
in directing the means to be taken for suppressing the consuming ele- 
ment, and in rescuing property. 

Silas Wright. This illustrous citizen was born in Amherst, Mass., 
May 24, 1795, and in infancy removed with his parents to Weybridge, 
Vt., where he formed his earliest associations. After an academic course, 
he entered Middlebury college, and graduated in 1815, and while still a 
student he entered warmly into the political discussions of the day, and 
became a republican in politics. Having studied law with Henry C. Mar- 
tindale, at Sandy Hill, N. Y., he was in 1819, licensed to practice as an 
attorney in the supreme court, and in that year, being led to Canton on a 
visit to a friend, he was induced to setde in that new and thinly settled 
village. Here he commenced the practice of law, and soon acquired 
the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the confidence of the public gen- 
erally, for his sound judgment and good sense. He was soon appointed 
surrogate, justice, commissioner of deeds, and post master ; held several 
town offices, and passed through the several grades of military promo- 
tion to the office of brigadier general. As a magistrate he discouraged 
litigation, and as a lawyer he was especially eminent in the happy man- 
ner in whieh he drew from witnesses the statements bearing upon the 
case, without ever touching the feelings by rudeness or satire. His argu- 
ments were always lucid and logical, and carried with them a conviction 
not only of their truth and justice, but also of the genius and talents of 
their author. i i • 

In the various improvements of the town and county, he took an active 
part, and especially in the erection of county buildings, after the selec- 
tion of the site, was he noted for his zeal and activity m collecting mate- 
rials, and assisting the work. , . , , n -Mr 

The influence which the upright character and evident talents ot Mr. 
Wright had acquired, led his fi'iends to wish to try his abilities on a 
wider field; and his name was presented in the fall of 1823, without his 
previous knowledge, to the republican convention of the fourth senate 
district, then embracing the counties of Saratoga, Montgomery and Ham- 
ilton, Washington, Warren, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence. 
The opposition of De Witt Clinton and his friends to the convention of 
1821, and other causes, had led to a new organization of parties, styled 
Clintonians and buck tails, anti-Clintonians or republicans. Mr. Wright 
was known to be friendly to the latter, but his known candor and libe- 
rality rendered him more acceptable to the Clintonians than any other 
candidate that could be offered, and he was unanimously nominated. 
During the legislative session preceding the nomination of Mr. Wright 



614 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

to the office of senator, the republican members of both houses from the 
4th district, met to decide by ballot which county in the senatorial district 
should be entitled to senator. The county designated was to be entitled 
to the privilege of selecting their candidate, thus dispensing with the 
formality of a convention of the whole district. After seven baliotings, 
and some feeling being created in the minds of some members, the 
choice fell upon St. Lawrence county. Mr. Wright was thus enabled to 
enter a field in which he was eminently qualified to excel, and his fu- 
ture career might have been quite different had the choice of a different 
county been the result of the balloting. The electors for president and 
vice president had, since 1789, been selected by the legislature in the 
same manner as senators of the United States are now chosen, which 
gave great additional importance to the members of the legislature, and 
trom the relative prospects of the five prominent candidates for the 
presidential term to commence in 1825, (Crawford, Adams, Jackson, 
Clay, and Calhoun), the friends of Mr. Crawford believed that their in- 
terests would be promoted by retaining the existing law for the appoint- 
ment of electors. Other parties proposed to restore the right of naming 
the electors, to the people, and most of the candidates of 1823 were 
questioned in relation to their views, and Mr. Wright among others. He 
freely deeclared himself in favor of giving directly to the people the 
choice of electors. No pledge was given or required beyond the failh 
reposed in the frank and unreserved declarations made by him in con- 
versation. His vote in the county was 1,419, that of his opponent 20. 
In Canton it was 199 to 1. The one vote was doubtless given by Mr. 
Wright himself. 

The session of 1824 was memorable for the spirit with which the pas- 
sage of the electoral law, as the proposed change in the mode of elect- 
ing presidential electors was called, and this became the engrossing sub- 
ject of the session from the time of its opening till the final passage of 
the bill. Mr. Wright's course in this contest was such as to draw from 
his political opponents the admission that he was governed by upright 
and consistent principles, although at variance with their plans, and sub- 
versive of their cherished schemes. While in the senate, early in the 
session of 1825, a great number of applications for bank charters were 
presented in both houses, and such were the restrictions then in force, 
that banks that held charters virtually possessed great privileges for 
transacting pecuniary busiuess, and hence charters were eagerly sought 
after. Mr. Wright opposed these applications to the extent of his ability, 
and was to a considerable degree successful. His influence constantly 
increased in the senate, and in 1826 he was elected to congress. The 
tariff question was then a subject that was agitated by the parties, and 
Mr. Wright became a member of a committee which had an important 
bearing upon this subject. At the next election for congress, Mr. Wright 
was defeated from the omission of the word junior in his name on some 
of the ballots, and from an irregularity in returns. Early in 1829, he 
was appointed comptroller, which office he filled with distinguished 
ability, until in 1833, he was chosen U. S. senator, and took his seat in 
this august body at the age of 38, and at the time when the nullification 
measures of South Carolina, the removal of the deposits from banks, the 
rechartering of the national bank, and other exciting topics distracted 
the national councils. Mr, Wright opposed the continuance of the bank 
in a speech of great ability. At the end of the short term to which he 
was chosen, he was, in 1837, reelected, notwithstanding the powerful 
bank influences brought against him. At the national convention ot 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 615 

1844, the nomination of vice president'was tendered to him, but declined. 
In 1842, his friends had solicited from him the .privilege of nominating 
him for governor, but he declined, as he had also done that of the office 
ofjudgeinthe supreme court of tlie United States. In 1844, he was 
nominated for governor, and elected. During his official term, the con- 
stitution of the state was revised, and several subjects requiring in espe- 
cial manner the exercise of promptness and discretion, arose. 

In 1846 he was again nominated foi- governor, but Mr. John Young, 
his opponent, was elected. At the close of his official term, Mr. Wright 
returned to his residence in Canton, and engaged in that pursuit for 
which during a long period he had evinced a decided fondness, — that of 
practical agriculture. He was appointed in 1847, to deliver the address 
at the State Agricultural Fair, at Saratoga Springs, and accepted the ap- 
pointment, but was suddenly attacked by a severe illness of which he 
died in two hours. He had for several months devoted his days to hard 
labor on his farm, and hisnightstocorrespondence, which were believed 
to have been the proximate causes of his death. This sudden bereave- 
ment cast a gloom over the community, and the heavy tidings were re- 
ceived with sadness by his numerous friends, and the public generally. 
The democratic party were at this time looking about for a man upon 
whom they might unite at the next presidential canvass, and from every 
quarter there came expressions that indicated the preference they felt for 
Mr. Wright, and it is highly probable that had he lived he would have 
been selected as their candidate. 

During his lifetime, his mercantile friends had procured a testimonial 
of their esteem which after his death was forwarded to Mrs. Wright. It 
consisted of 125 pieces of silver plate manufactured by Gerandus Boyce, 
of New York, each article bearing a suitable inscription, commemorating 
the occasion of the gift. The articles were two pitchers holding four 
quarts and one pint each; a silver tea kettle holding three quarts; a 
coffe pot, tea pot, sugar dish, cream pot, slop bowl, soup ladle, fish knife, 
crumb knife, ice cream sheer, pair of sugar tongs, four butter knives, and 
nine dozen table and dessert spoons and forks. The total value was about 
$1,900'. 

Soon after the death of Mr. Wright, his^dow and family yielding 
to the solicitation of his neighbors auil friends, accepted the offer which 
they tendered, of erecting a plain and simple monument over his grave, 
as a testimonial of personal esteem and private friendship. An ostenta- 
tious display of architecture was deemed inconsistent with the modest 
and unassuming character of the man whose name it bore, and unneces- 
sary to perpetuate the memory of one who had become endeared in the 
hearts of the people. A subscription was drawn up in October, 1847, 
the amount of each contribution limited to $1, and its circulation to citi- 
zens of St. Lawrence county. With the avails of this, a simple shaft of 
pure white marble from the Dorset quarry, 15 feet in height, resting on a 
base of Canton granite 11 feet high, vt^as erected and inclosed in a neat iron 
paling. This unassuming monument is shown at the end of the present 
chapter. 

The shaft bears on one side his name and date of birth and death. 
On the other the inscription "erected by the citizens of the county of St. 
Lawrence." 

The citizens of Weybridge and vicinity, in Vermont, (which town Mr. 
Wright always regarded with the feelings of a natal place), in the March 
following his decease, united in testifying their respect for his character 
by erecting a monument to his memory. A series of resolutions highly 
expressive of regard, were drawn up, and a committee appointed to pro- 



616 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

cure the means for erecting it and a steel plate engraving of it. Solo- 
mon W. Jewett and Samuel O. Wright, of Weybridge, and Samuel S. 
Phelps, of Middleburj^were appointed the committee, who, at a cost of 
about $4,400, erected in their village near the school house, and over the 
same ground vi^here the Congregational church stood, at which Wright 
and his parents had worshipped, a shaft of white marble about thirty 
eight feet in height. The main shaft is twenty-eight feet high, three feet 
square at the base, and seventeen inches at the top. It stands upon a 
mound, and is supported by three bases; the first 8, the second 65, and 
the third 5 feet squai'e. Above this is a die four feet square, wiiich is 
surmounted by the shaft. Inserted in the monument is a beautiful and 
accurate medalion bust, executed by E. D. Palmer, of Albany. The only 
inscription which it has upon it is, Silas Wright. It is surrounded by a 
circular iron railing six rods in diameter. 

His biography has been ably written by the Hon. Jabez D. Hammond, 
and forms the third volume of the Political History of New York. The 
well known character and abilities of this talented writer, are a sufficient 
guaranty of its value. 

We are indebted to Hammond's Life of Silas Wright, published at 
Syracuse, by Hall and Dickinson, for the portrait which faces our title. 
The reader will find in that work a very mirmte and correct account ol 
the life and public services of this truly illustrious man. His memoirs 
have also been written by J. S. Jenkins. 




Wright^ s Monument, Canton. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 617 



CHAPTER IX. 




EVENTS OF THE WAR OF 1812—1815. 

N the 5th of April, 1805, a regiment was formed in St. Law- 
rence county with Alex. J. Turner, It. col. commandant ; Jo- 
seph Edsall, 1st major, and David Ford, 2d major ; and on the 
_ 11th a brigade, embracing Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence 
counties was formed, having VVaher Martin, its brigadier general, 
He had previously been lieut. c6l., and his place was supplied by 
Jonathan Collins, of Turin. On the 3d of April, 1806, the follow^ 
ing appointments were made in Turner's regiment. Isaac Beach, 
adjutant; John King, paymaster ; D. W. Church, quartermaster; Joseph 
W. Smith, surgeon; Povell Davis, surgeon's mate; Louis Hasbrouck, 
Timothy Pope, Timothy Crosset, Nathan Stone, Wm. Perry, Thomas B. 
Benedict, Solomon Linsley, Jr., Isaac Bartholomew, Richard Flacky 
Elisha Deniston, and Benjamin Stewart, captains; Jehiel Dimmock, 
Kelsey Thurber, Samuel Armstrong, Martin Philips, Medad Moody, Pot- ' 
ter GofF, Seth Gates, John Hawley, John W. Lyttle, Calvin Hubbard, 
and Benjamin Baiiey, lieutenants ; and Jacob Arnold, Jr., Thomas Lee, 
John A. Armstrong, Abner Wright, James Parkil, Jr., Joel Woodhouse, 
Daniel Greene, Nicholas Reynolds, Robert Jackson, Seth Matthews and 
David French, ensigns. An artillery company was formed April 6, 1807, 
with Alex' Richard, capt. ; Amos Wells, 1st It ; Joseph Freeman, 2nd It. A 
battallion of four companies, under Alric Man, major commandant, was 
formed in Franklin co., June 4, 1808, and belonged to Gen. Benj. Moore's 
brigade. Our space forbids the use of the details collected in relation to 
.subsequent organizations. The location of our counties upon the front- 
ier, made them the theatre of events that will be briefly enumerated, and 
checked their growth and settlement to a most lamentable degree; not 
so much by the actual as the dreaded evils of war, and the entire ces- 
sation of trade, which had mainly found an outlet by the St. Lawrence. 
With business stopped, the industry of the country palsied, and the 
brightest prospects of the future blighted, it is not surprising that the 
war was to a considerable degree unpopular, especially with those classes 
whose business was interrupted by the measure, and whose , property 
was depreciated and in some instances rendered valueless by its occur- 
rence. The measures which preceded and led to hostilities belong to 
our national history. Grievances had existed for several years, and ef- 
forts had been made to settle the difficulties between the two nations by 
diplomatic arrangements, but these failing, a resort to arms became the 
only means effectual in attaining these ends which could not be accom- 
plished peaceably. 

On the 22d of Dec. 1807, congress laid an embargo upon all ships and 
vessels in the ports of the United States, and directed that no clearance 
should be furnished to any ship bound to any foreign port or place, ex- 
cept under the immediate direction of the president. lu the event of 



618 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the suspension of hostilities between the belligerent powers of Europe, 
or of such changes in their measures, as wouhl render the commerce of 
the coiuitry safe, the president was authorized, by ^n act passed on the 
8th of April following, to suspend in whole or in part, the operations 
of the embargo. This applied to the lakes as well as the sea board. 
Early in 1809, Captains Samuel Cherry and Thomas Anderson, were 
stationed at Ogdensburgh, to enforce non intercourse and occupied 
temporary barracks erected for tiieir use. These two companies of 
troo[ts are represented as the worst set of men that ever lived, and were 
charged with being needlessly officious in searching persons crossing, 
the river, which led to jealousies that almost ripened into hostility with 
the citizens. The latter, for their own protection, organized a niglitly 
patroll to protect their gardens and hen roosts, and thus between the 
preservation of national and personal rights, the village bore the disci- 
pline of a camp, until, to the great joy of the citizens, the news arrived 
that the soldiers were to be withdrawn. This was too desirable an event 
to pass unnoticed, and pre[)arations were made lo celebrate it, which 
coming to the knowledge of the other party, an attempt was made in the 
night time, to seize an old French cannon, belonging in the village, which 
was to be fired on their departiue, and to throw it from the bridge into 
the river. The plot was discovered, and the party sent was arrested by 
the citizen guard, and in the morning marched back to their quarters, 
and released at the solicitation of their officers. As they were leaving, 
a citizen who went down to their boats to recover some stolen property, 
was seized and thrown overboard, which instantly raised an excitement, 
and as they left, they were followed by the hootings and cries of the 
irritated crowd. The old iron cannon, and the discordant music of a 
hundred tin horns with as many cowbells, assisted in expressing the 
general satisfaction. The books of a mercantile firm show an unsettled 
balance of $300 against one of these worthies. Congress, April 10, 1812, 
required 100,000 men to be raised in anticipation of the war, which were 
to be officered with present militia office^rs, paid at the same rates as the 
regular army, and were not comjielled to serve longer than six months 
after arriving at the place of rendezvous. It was stipulated, that no non- 
commissioned officer musician or private, should be subject to corporal 
punishment by whipping, but stoppage of pay, confinement, and de- 
privation of rations, should be substituted. $1,000,000 was appro- 
priated for this purpose. Gen. Jacob Brown, whose brigade included 
the county, wrote May 2, 1812, to Col. Benedict, to raise 43 men, in- 
cluding noncommissioned officers, to be held ready at a minutes warn- 
ing, and two competent men as lieutenant and ensign. These be re- 
quired to be embodied and stationed in the village of Williamstown, 
[Ue Kalb.] as soon as possible. Col. Stone, of Herkimer county, 
was also instructed to raise 37 men, and 1 lieutenant, to join the 
above. A company was accorflingly raised of about 80 men, with 
Darius Hawkins, of Herkimer county, captain; John Policy, of Mas- 
sena, and Elisha Griffin, of De Kalb, lieutenants. These were sent on 
to Ogdensburgh, and Col Benedict wrote. May 25, 1812, to D. W. 
Church, adjutant, in charge of the barracks, as follows : They appear 
to have laid in for a stock of military supplies. " You will probably re- 
ceive this letter by the hand of Lt. Policy, who has the command of a 
detachment of men from this encampment. I have ordered him to Og- 
densburgh with the detachment. Lt. Griffin, as commanded, will fol- 
low in three or four days. They are to go to the public barracks. Lt. 
Policy is to be obeyed as commander, until the arrival of Lt. Griffin. 
You will receive by Whipple, four bbls. of pork, four axes, and one fry- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 619 

ing pan, which belong to the troops, together with one bbl. of whiskey, 
for their use. I expect to be at Ogdensburgh on or by Monday next, 
and until my arrival I have to request the favor of you to furnish flour, 
bread and other camp necessaries; in fine to be an assistant to the Lt., 
and lend him all the assistance in your power. On my arrival I shall 
make the necessary arrangements until the arrival of the proper officers." 

These troops arrived on the last of May, and for a few days were 
quartered in the court house. The citizens, from their former expe- 
rience, disliked the idea of having troops among them, and it is said 
that difficulty was experienced in getting their bread baked from this 
cause. , The declaration of war, in June 1812, was made known by the 
ariival of Major Darby Noon, to erect barracks, which were temporary 
and located a short distance below the village. No sooner Avas the 
news of the declaration of war received, than the greatest alarm was 
immediately created on both sides of the lines, from mutual fears of 
hostile incursion from the other side of the boundary. 

In St. Lawrence county especially, this fear was greatly increased by 
rumors that parties of Indians were about to fall upon the settlements, 
then young and feeble, and lay waste the couuti-y with fire and tomahawk. 
On the slighest alarm, often from trivial or accidental causes, a rumor 
would originate and spread through an entire settlement; the timid 
would flee to the woods, and not imfrequently the most grotesque and 
ludicrous scenes were enacted. Families hastening off' and leaving 
their houses open and the table spread with provisions, and fleeing on 
horseback and on foot, in carts, and in wagons, laden with such articles 
of value as they were able to snatch in their haste; some driving their 
flocks and herds before them, which others left behind, and each fugi- 
tive from the danger they apprehended, augmented the fears of the 
others, which they met by i-elating their own. Many of these did not 
return till peace and some never. By degrees it was remarked that no 
real danger from these sources existed, and confidence became reestab- 
lished, so that before the close of the war, the former feeling of friend- 
ship had in some degree been renewed between the settlers along oppo- 
site the St. Lawrence. The first news of the war in June 1812, was 
tbe signal for general alarm, but before the close of the season, the minds 
of the settlers had become accustomed to these rumors and they were 
but little regarded. The sight of an Indian, however innocent and 
peaceable, his business, or of an Indian or squaw's track in the sand, 
was an especial subject of alarm, and this operated greatly to the dis- 
tresses of the St. Regis tribe, who were thus cut off from their custom- 
ary pursuits and compelled to remain at home, for fear of exciting- 
alarms. 

To say that this alarm was general, would be doing injustice to a large 
class of citizens wboawaited whatever events the war might entail, with a 
constancy and steadiness which reflected great credit upon their charac- 
ter. In every town on the St. Lawrence, however most ludicrous scenes 
were enacted, originating in accidental alarms or the wanton reports set 
on foot by those who adopted this method of testing the personal courage 
of their neighbors. The settlers in De Peyster were on one occasion, 
driven to the woods by a report brought by a young man who rode 
through on horseback at great speed, and spread an alarm of Indians. 
This proved to be entirely groundless, and its author just a year after- 
wards, got severely flogged for this indulgence of his humor. A ludicrous 
incident occuri-ed in Louisville, in June. An early settler who lived upon 
one of the points that project into the St. Lawrence, and who to a f pn 



620 HISTORY OF ST LAWRENCE 

ness for a practical joke, added miicli personal courage, became disgusted 
at the timid conduct of his neighbors, and feared that the Canadians 
would cross over for plunder, sui)[)osing the country deserted. He ac- 
cordingly resolved one still beautiliil evening, to try the effect of a strata- 
gem which was to convince the peo[iIe opposite within sight of his resi- 
dence, that although some had fled, yet others were left, and that hia 
government was not unmindful of the interests of its citizens on her 
northern frontier. 

He accordingly, with the aid of two or three accomplices, built a great 
number of fires in a conspicuous point on the bank, and then passing up 
and down, he announced in a loud voice which resounded for miles 
across the placid waters of the St. Lawrence, the orders which it is cus- 
tomary to issue to the different companies and battallions of an army 
when taking their positions in a canip. These orders were duly responded 
to by his aids who were posted at suitable distances. The fires had at- 
tracted notice on the Canada shore, and the orders of tne commander-in- 
chief were conclusive evidence that an army of Americans had arrived, 
and were about to precipitate themselves upon the British dominions. 
Immediately the cries of alarm, the barking of dogs, which their masters 
vainly tried to suppress, and the rattling of wagons announced that the 
settlers were on their way to the woods, where as it subsequently ap- 
peared, they spent the night in the greatest terror and confusion. One 
old Dutchman alone remained, declaring that the voice that came across 
the waters, was too much like that of an old fellow with whom he was 
acquainted. 

As might have been supposed, the alarm spread in the vicinity of the 
fires, and a British army was reported to have landed and taken posses- 
sion. Great numbers fled in terror to the thickets, snatching whatever 
was at hand capable of ministering to the first necessities of nature, and 
remained several hours until two or three of their number who had been 
sent to reconnoitre and had crept cautiously up to the fires without en- 
countering the picket guard or the line of sentinels, returned with a report 
of their observations. This little circumstance by showing the ridiculous 
consequences of false alarms, did much good by placing the citizens on 
their guard against them. The sayings and doings of diverse persons 
who headed this retreat, weje not soon forgotten. 

As soon as war was declared. Gen. Brown drafted six companies in the 
regiments of Colonels Benedict and Stone, "which were under Captains 
Griffin, of De Kalb, Armstrong, of J^isbon, Cook and Hovey, of Lewis 
county, and Bell and Weaver of Herkimer county. Oliver Bush, of 
Turin, was 1st Major, and Whitman, 2d Major of Benedict's regi- 
ment. Col. Stone's regiment arrived soon after with several companies, 
among which was an independent rifle company under Capt. Noadiah 
Hulbard, of Champion. The militia captains on duty during a consider- 
able part of the summer of 1812, were as follows in the order of their 
commissions: Nathan Adams, Nathan Cook, Imri Case, Jost Bell, 
Moses A. Bunnell, Howland, Jacob Hovey. When war was de- 
clared eight schooners were in Ogdensburgh harbor, which on the 29th 
of June, attempted to escape to the lake. Mr. D. Jones, an active parti- 
san residing near the present village of Maitland, on the Canada shore, 
seeing the movement and appreciating the advantage that would result 
to the British interests if thisfleet could be ,prevented from reaching Lake 
Ontario, raised a company of volunteers, pursued them in boats till he 
overtook them near the foot of the Thousand islands above Brockville. 
Tvyo of the vessels, the Sophia and the Island Packet, were taken with- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 621 

out resistance, as they were fitted for trade only, and had on board no 
armament. Several emigrant families on board, with the crew and a part 
or the whole of their effects were set on an island, and the vessels 
burned. The crews of the remainder immediately steered back to Og- 
densburgh. 

The following extract from the correspondence of Mr. Joseph Rosseel, 
conveys an account of the excitement produced by these measures: 

" July 2, 1812. Since my last there has been much confusion through- 
out the town. This I intend sending by Mr. H., who is packing up to 
start with his family for Utica directly. This confusion commenced on 
Sunday morning with the setting out of a party from this place in a 
rev#hue cutter, in pursuit of 13 king's boats laden with cannon ball, 
swivels and ammunition; this pursuit proved unsuccessful, the wind fail- 
ing the cutter. On Monday morning, Major Noon arrived here from 
Sacketts Harbor, in company with several merchants from Oswego, in a 
long boat, with men armed. His object was the arranging for barracks 
for 1000 troops and a hospital. The armed men came to accompany up 
eight vessels which lay here wind bound, when the news of the declara- 
tion of war reached us. These vessels with those of Ogdensburgh, 
holding out temptation to the enemy, sailed on that day at noon to the 
rejoicing of the inhabitants. We held a conference with Capt. Mayo, 
owner of the Genesee Packet, about sinking the Ogdensburgh vessels, but 
it was deemed improper. The i-emainder of that day was employed in 
keeping down the marauding spirit. The whole town met, and their 
proceedings were concluded with much propriety and harmony. All 
went on well till Tuesday, about noon, when five of the vessels which 
sailed the day before, returned to this port. That which excited a general 
alarm, was the circumstance of one of the returning vessels making 
signal of distress. The report was that two vessels had been burnt in 
the narrows by Indians and whites, who secreted themselves on the 
islands. This report which run through the country with the swift- 
ness of lightning, together with the general orders which were at 
the same time issued to march to Ogdensburgh, all the men in town pre- 
pared for immediate action, created such confusion as is indescribable. 
In less than an hour all the settlements on Black lake and St. Lawrence, 
from hence upwards, were entirely deserted — people every where run- 
ning through the woods in great dismay. At 2 P. M., we were all under 
arms, an immediate attack being expected from the enemy with a view, 
as was supposed, of burning our vessels ; — our fears were not realized." 

Very soon after, the Prince Regent, a new vessel of 10 guns, came 
down from Kingston, and fears were apprehended that an intention ol 
attacking the town was entertained. On the 20th of July, Brigadier Gen. 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, arrived, and a rumor prevailed that two more 
vessels were coming down to destroy the fleet. As afterwards appeared, 
several plans were laid to take the vessels, but none were attempted ; as 
a further security, they were taken above the bridge, and during an arm- 
istif.e that occurred in summer, were got up to the lake. Soon after the 
arrival of the Prince Regent, the Earl of Moira and Duke of Gloucester, 
the former of 18 and the latter of 10 guns, arrived at Prescott. A scheme 
was laid for destroying the Duke of Gloucester on the night of July 23, 
and from the original volunteer list before us, it appears that about 60 
men offered themselves for the service who were to act under Colonels 
T. B. Benedict and Solomon Van Rensselaer. Three parties were to 
cooperate, but befox-e night the vessel changed her position, aud the at- 

37 



622 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tempt was not made. In July, Gen. Brown despatched the schooner 
Julia of the navy, armed with one 18 and two iron 6 pounders, and laden 
with military stores, under the command of Lieut. FI. W. Wells, of 
the government brig Oneida, and accompanied by Capt. Noadiah Hubbard 
■with a rifle company in a Durham boat. She sailed July 29, and on ar- 
riving at Morristown, she was met at 3 o'clock on the 31st by the Earl 
of Moira, which soon as they came alongside, dropped their anchors, 
brailed up their canvass, and commenced a cannonade, which lasted, 
three and a quarter hours without intermission, but, singularly enough, 
without loss of life and with but little injury to the vessels. The Earl of 
Moira was hulled a few times, and the Julia received a slight injury from 
one shot. Near dark, the enemy's vessels were warped up to Elizabeth- 
town (now Brockville), and the guns taken out and placed in battel* on 
shore. The Julia weighed anchor and fell down the current, and by 
being towed by the Durham boat and the schooner's yawl, reached Og- 
densburgh before morning. She lay oif in the stream between Prescott 
and Ogdensburgh, until the fifth of September, under the command of 
Capt. Wm. Vaughan, sailing master in the navy. Samuel Dixon and 
Abram Shoemaker, volunteers, acting master's mates. Lieut. Wells re- 
turned the day after the affair to Sacketts Harbor. 

A scout had been sent to notify the Julia of her danger from the 
two armed vessels, but did not arrive seasonably. The firing being 
heard at Ogdensburgh, and the occasion of it being surmised. Adjutant 
Church was sent, by Col. Benedict, to proceed with a party of volunteers 
to offer any assistance that might be possible. They hastily marched to 
the scene of the engagement but did not arrive until after the aflTair was 
over. From Mr. Church, the foregoing account was derived. 

Samuel Dixon, who was on board the Julia and participated in this 
affair as a volunteer, had been in the employment of David Parish, as 
captain of the schooner, Collector. The principal merchant vessels on 
the lake, were bought up by government on their reaching the lake, and 
fitted up with an armament. Captain Mayo's schooner the Genesee 
Packet, had its name changed to the Hamilton. The Experiment, one of 
Mr. Parish's vessels became T%e Growler. 

An incident occurred during the summer of 1812, while the militia 
were on duty at Ogdensburgh which created much talk at the time, and 
has since been a standing subject for a story; properly regarded it re- 
flects high credit upon the military courage of the individual, and was 
at the time so regarded by his comrades. Had he been assigned a 
dangerous position in an assault, he would doubtless have acquitted 
himself in as conscientious and efficient a manner as he acted on the 
mistaken orders he received on the following occasion. An alarm had 
required a hasty draft of recruits from the militia of the adjacent towns, 
who arrived in the forenoon, and were from the necessity of the occasion 
put upon duty the same evening, before they had had time to learn the 
discipline of a camp, or the duties of the soldier. The articles of war were 
read in their hearing, in which the penalty of death was declared the 
doom of every offender, who should violate the rules of order, or be 
found wanting in deeds of omission, as well as commission, in the rou- 
tine of the soldier's duty. To those who had just been called from the 
quiet labors of the field to participate in the events of war, and act a 
part in the rigid discipline of a camp, the soldier's life appeared to de- 
pend on more contingencies than casualties of batde, and the profession 
of arms to be a path beset with pitfalls and dangerous passes, so straight 
and narrow, that the utmost caution was required so to conduct one's 



AND FJIANKLIN COUNTIES. 623 

deportment as not to incur the death penalty. Such doubtless was the 
sentiment of the subject of the foliowinj? incident, when on the evening 
of his arrival, he was placed on duty as a sentinel, with the usual in- 
junctions to allow no one to pass without the countersign. 

This was not given him either through accident or design, and the 
omission was noticed by him at the time, and lie enquired of one of the 
party who had previously known something of the usages of the camp, 
what he should do in this emergency, who replied that he must do as 
he had been ordered. He accordingly formed the resolution to obey 
orders to the letter; to know no man in the dark, and to stop all persons 
passing hy land or loater. There are those who believe that the sentinel 
wag thus purposely left, in order to test his fidelity by endeavoring to 
deprive him of his arms, and thus make him a subject of ridicule. In- 
deed, one of the officers who was subsequently detained by him, is said 
to have boasted that he had got two or three guns away from sentinels 
on guard that night, and intended to get as many more. 

The guard had all been posted and the serjeant and his party of some 
six or eight men, were returning to the guard house, when on approach- 
ing the spot where the man had been posted, without the countersign, 
they were ordered to stop and one by one were commanded to advance, 
lay down their arms and sit down ,upon the ground. Here they were 
kept in perfect silence and stillness by the resolute orders of the sentinel 
who noticed every motion, and with loaded musket threatened instant 
death to the first one who should offer to leave his place, or make the 
slightest move towards recovering his arms. The answer that the Ser- 
jeant had returned, on being first hailed, which was the remark that 

Colonel B had given orders to allow a boat to pass up, had made 

the sentinel suspicious that something was wrong. About eleven o'clock 
at night, when preparing to go the grand rounds, the captain of the 
company on duty, made inquiries for the serjeant of the guard and his 
relief. No one knew what had become of them as they had not been 
seen since dark. The corporal of the guai-d was also found missing. 
Captain Hawkins, to whose command these belonged, Adjutant Church, 
and two privates, immediately started to go the rounds and ascertain the 
cause of the absence, and were proceeding along in single file, the two 
privates in advance, when they were stoppedby the customary challenge, 
"Who comes there," to which it was replied, "Grand rounds." This 
was as unintelligible as Greek to the new recruit, who abruptly replied, 
"I'll grand rounds you," and he ordered the first one to advance and be 
seated. The captain was next disarmed and placed on a level with his 
privates, which altogether formed a group of a dozen or more, including 
all the missing ones, who were not only kept in their places, but kept 
still and silent by the resolute sentinel armed with a loaded musket. 
The other private was soon added to the captive party, and Adjutant 
Church was next ordered to advance, an order which with characteristic 
firmness, he promptly refused to obey. No sooner had he refused, when 
the sentinel instantly fired, but it being dark, the shot took no effect. 
Captain Hawkins, upon this sprang to his feet and endeavored to seize 
the musket, but he was collared and kept at arm's length by the iron 
gi-asp of the sentinel. A struggle ensued in which the bayonet was 
loosened from the musket, but retained by the owner, and the captain 
received a severe wound in the arm. The serjeant was also wounded 
•in the leg, upon which the farty retreated, leaving their arms on the 
field. In the excitement of the moment, the captain had ordered the 
stubborn guardsman to be shot, but a second thought dictated a more 



624 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

humane policy, and a line of sentries was posted around him to keep 
others from falling in his way till morning. The line beyond him was 
at length relieved, much wondering what strange event had kept them 
on duty so long. Meanwhile, our soldier, conscious of having commit- 
ted some erro^, the nature and consequence of which he knew not, 
resolved still to act strictly upon his orders and to trust to common jus- 
tice the event. He neatly stacked the weapons he had captured, hanging 
the swords and hats upon the bayonets, and upon the top of all he 
placed the military hat of his captain, and resumed his duties resolved 
to defend his position, at least as long as practicable. Two or three com- 
panies were ordered out to take him forcibly from his ground, but upon 
a little discussion it was thought expedient to let him remain. A young 
officer hearing of these occurrences offered to go alone and get him off, 
and he parted with that design, but nothing more was seen of him till after 
sunrise the next morning, when he was found sitting very quietly under 
guard, not far from the stack of trophies, of the last night's adventure. 

The sentinel refused to let him off, notwithstanding some of his 
neighbors went to mtercede in his behalf, until the man who had givep 
him the orders on leaving him the night before should grant him the 
'uthority. But the latter had been wounded, and was unable to walk, 
and he was accordingly carried to within speaking distance of the sen- 
tinel, and succeeded in procuring his release. He still refused to leave 
his post, until assured by an officer with whom he was acquainted, that 
no harm should come from the last night's proceedings, and he appear- 
ed deeply affected at the mistake he had committed, and especially at 
the unhappy consequences that had resulted from it. The censure of 
public opinion, as soon as the first impulse was over, fell justly upon the 
officer who had placed a sentinel upon guard, with injunctions coupled 
with the death penalty, to stop all persons passing, and at the same time 
neglecting to give him the countersign. The man, who thus proved 
himself true to his orders, was Mr. Seth Alexander, still living in DeKalb. 

About the middle of September, it was learned, that a number of 
bateaux were coming up the river laden with stores, and a party under 
Capt. Griffin, in a Durham boat, accompanied with a gun boat, having 
eighteen men and a brass six pounder, under D. W. Church, left Og- 
densburgh in the evening, and late at night landed on Toussaint island, 
opposite the town of Lisbon, and near the place where the enemy lay. 
The only family on the island was secured, but the man managed to 
escape by swimming and gave the alarm, and the provincial militia 
were hastily rallied. The bateaux lay under the north shore behind the 
island. The party under Capt. Griffin, took a position near its head, 
while Church was directed to station his gun boat near its foot. A sharp 
firing soon began and was continued for some time, when the boat was 
abandoned with the loss of one man, (Macomb) and one wounded. It 
drifted down the channel, and was taken up by the enemy before it 
reached the foot of the island. The gun boat about sunrise came to 
anchor and was immediately fired upon ; at the second discharge having 
five of the eighteen wounded, but before the third shot, the cannon was 
brought to bear, and very shortly after the regulars, who accompanied 
the enemy's boats, broke and run. Failing in its object, the party return- 
ed by land, and the gun boat was sent to Hamilton. Adjutant Fitz Gib- 
bon, was said to have charge of the British party, two of which at the 
time were reported killed and several wounded. We had but one man 
killed. 

Towards the close of the season, Capt Benjamin Forsyth, with a com- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 625" 

pany of riflemen, arrived at Ogdensburgh. Gen. Brown was frequently 
in the place. On the 2d of October, about forty British boats, escorted 
by two gun boats, were j)roceeding up the river towards Prescott, when 
a cannonade was commenced from the enemy's batteries upon the vil- 
lage, to cover the boats, which was returned a short time, until it was 
found that long shots had but very little effect. On the 3d, the firing 
was renewed, but not answered. On Sunday morning,' the 4th, an at- 
tack was made by twenty-five boats and two gun boats, which had pro- 
ceeded up the river nearly a mile, and w^ere then seen to turn their 
course towards the village. The morning parade had just been dismissed, 
but the order to rally was instantly issued, and a wooden battery near 
the stone ware house was manned with the brass six pounder, under 
Adjutant Church, and an iron twelve pounder, under the orders of 
Joseph York, a volunteer citizen. There was but one embrasure which 
was occupied by the brass piece, the other being stationed at its end, and 
without protection. The regiment under the orders of Gren. Brown, and 
Forsyth's riflemen, which then lay encamped west of the Oswegatchie, 
was drawn up with the militia. The Americans numbered 1,200 men. 
Firing commenced from the enemy's batteries with the embarkation of 
the troops, and continued as they advanced, and was returned by our 
troops as soon as the boats arrived within musket range. The flotilla 
appi-oached to within a quarter of a mUe, when one of their gun boats 
having been disabled and two of their number killed, they returned to 
their own side. It was reported that one of their bateaux was sunk, but 
of this fact the author's informant was not certain. Not a drop of blood 
was lost on the side of the Americans, but some little injury was done to 
property and buildings by the shot of the enemy. About thirty rounds 
were fired from each of the two pieces at the wooden battery. The 
firing continued nearly two hours. The assailants in this attempt were 
commanded by Col. Lethbridge, and according to the accounts published 
by the British, they numbered 750 men. Christie, a British author, has 
thus described the affair: " They advanced without opposition to mid 
channel, when the enemy opened a tremendous discharge of artillery, 
which checked their progress. A confusion immediately ensued, and 
they were compelled to make a percipitate reti-eat, with the loss of three 
men killed and four wounded. The Americans were commanded by 
Brigadier General Brown, and are said to have behaved with much cool- 
ness and intrepidity. This enterprise, undertaken without the sanction 
of the commander of the forces, was censured by him, and the pubhc 
opinion condemned it as rash and premature." 

After this unsuccessful attempt of the enemy, nothing further of con- 
sequence occurred till the close of the year. The winter set in early, 
and was very severe. The drafted regiment returned home, and left 
the place und«r the protection of Captain Forsyth, with his rifle com- 
pany, and a small detachment of Captain Kellog's artillery company of 
Albany volunteers. The remainder of that company had been detached 
to Sackett's Harbor. On the 6th of February, 1813, about a fortnight be- 
fore the attack upon Ogdensburgh, Captain Forsyth, being told by spies 
aud friends in Elizabethtown, (Brockville), that a large number of Ameri- 
cans were confined there in jail, and pressing news being repeatedly re- 
ceived that they were treated with severity, that some were claimed as 
British deserters, although they hud become citizens of the United States, 
and that some of these would be executed by the authority of the British 
courts martial, it was resolved to attempt their rescue. A party con- 
sisting of Captain Forsyth's company, and citizen volunteers to the num- 



626 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

ber of about two hundred, was organized, and ready to start about nine 
o'clock in the evening, and leaving the town in the care of Captain Kel- 
log, of the Albany volunteers, and a few citizens, they proceeded on foot 
and in two or three sleighs (the latter in the rear), to Morristown. Hav- 
ing halted here a few moments, and procured a guide,* they crossed in 
two divisions, marching in open order on account of the weakness of 
the ice, Captain Forsyth leading one division, and Colonel Benedict the 
other. Flank guards were dispatched to each side of the town, to ar- 
rest such as might attempt to escape, while the main body marched into 
the village, and stationed themselves in the square in front of the jail, 
which then occupied the same site as at present. Adjutant Chux-ch was 
ordered to detach platoons from the main body, and station them at 
the corners of the streets, and those points best calculated to prevent re- 
sistance or a combination of forces. Lieut. Wells commanded the right 
flank guard, and Lieut. Johnson the left. Sergeant Foster, of the main 
guard, who had been stationed with a few men on one of the corners, 
on hearing the approach of a company of men, hailed them with the 
challenge, " who comes there?" He was answered by the reply, "not 
friends of King George." Not hearing the first word in the reply, he 
fired and wounded one man. The party proved to be the left flank of 
the Americans, and an understanding was soon regained. Meanwhile 
Captain Foi-syth, with a few men, entered the jail, and demanded the 
keys, which were sun-eudered without resistance, and every prisoner, 
with the exception of one confined for murder, was removed. He na- 
turally begged hard to share the fortune of the others, but was left. Some 
of the more prominent citizens were taken prisoners, and (with the ex- 
ception of one physician who was paroled at Morristown), taken to Og- 
densburgh, at which place the party arrived before daylight. The res- 
cued prisoners and citizens brought back, numbered about fifty-two, of 
whom six or seven were ofiicers. One man was wounded by a shot from 
a window, with which exception no resistance was offered. The counter- 
sign of the party on this afiair was Americans. Among the prison- 
ers was Major Carley, three captains, and two lieutenants. 

The following is a list of those taken, except officers: Stephen Chip- 
man, David Wheeler, Charles French, Benjamin Gould, Wm. Graves, 
Winthrop Tufts, Zea Castle. Ichabod Wing, George Allen, Henry Staats, 
Timothy Buel, Abram McCue, Thomas Daehnham, Alex. Campbell, 
John Davis, Dan'l McMullen, Richard McBane, Joseph Trader, Isaac 

C , (name illegible), Uri Stone, Archibald Ladd, David Wheeler, John 

W. Easton, Peter Whitman, Joseph Howard, Levi Stone, Thomas Thorn- 
ton, Isaac Mather, Samuel Elliot, Joseph Woolley, James Smith, Horatio 
Bradshaw, Gamaliel Tuttle, John Green, Joseph Ryon, Nonis Loverin, 
David Stevenson, Jehiel Smith, Thomas Rambley, Wm. Robinson, Rich- 
ardson Cameron, Henry Smith, Cleveland SafFord, John Joy, John 
Whitlesy. Total 45, besides officers. 

(From the original list.) 

They also seized and brought away one hundred and twenty muskets, 
twenty rifles, two casks of fixed ammunition, and some other public stoi-es, 
but no private property was either taken or destroyed. A writer from 
Ogdensburgh, giving an account of this affair, says: "Captain Forsyth 
was led to this enterprise by the repeated aggressions of the British 
guards, who had been in the habit of crossing the river a few miles 

* Arnold Smilh, who kept a public house in the place. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 627 

above this place, and taking deserters, sixteen of whom they had in the - 
jail at Elizabethtown, threatened with being shot. Capt. F; being in- 
formed of this, determined to effect their liberation, in which he suc- 
ceeded. One prisoner confined in the jail for murder, he declined taking. 
Capt. F. speaks of the conduct of the officers and men in the highest 
terms of approbation. Two British officers, from Prescott, came over a 
few hours after the return of our troops with the prisoners, to effect 
their release. I understand they are all paroled, and are to return again 
to Canada this evening. The movement of the troops on the other side 
indicating an attack on this place, Col. Benedict was induced to call out 
his regiment of militia, so that we have now in Ogdensburgh about 800 
men ; and should an attack be made from Prescott, I have the fullest con- 
fidence in our success. Indeed, from the high tone of our troops, it is 
difficult to restrain their ardor; and should they not be attacked from the 
other side within a few days, I should not be surprised were they to go 
over there." 

This affair led the enemy to take measures for retaliation, and the 
governor arriving on his way to Upper Canada, Lt. Col. Pearson com- 
manding at Prescott, proposed an attack upon Ogdensburgh, but the 
governor did not deem it expedient to order an attack; but as two men 
had deserted on the evening of his arrival and gone over to the Ameri- 
cans, who might, upon ascertaining the arrival of the governor, waylay 
him on his route, it was determined that Lieut. Col. Pearson should pro- 
ceed on the ensuing morning with his excellency to Kingston, while Lt. 
Col. McDonnell, second in command at Prescott, should make a demon- 
stration upon the ice in front of Ogdensburgh, as well with the view of 
engaging the attention of the troops, as by drawing out their forces to 
ascertain the strength of the garrison. 

To afford the data from which " to estimate the relative merit of the 
defence, the following account of the armament and force in garrison at 
Ogdensburgh is given, as derived from the memories of citizens then in 
town. It had been learned froni spies that the British were preparing 
to attack the town, and Capt. Forsyth had written to General Dearborn, 
at Plattsburgh, soliciting assistance. To this Gen. D. sent word that he 
could afford him no help, and that he must do as well as he was able. 
If he could not defend the place he was at liberty to evacuate it, and it 
was left optional with him to do this before or after making an attempt 
to defend it. lu his letter he said that the loss of the place might arouse 
the American spirit, intimating that the town was to be made a sacrifice 
for the good of the country. 

Upon receiving this letter. Captain Forsyth assembled the officers 
around him, consisting of Captain Kellog, Lieutenant Smith of the rifle 
company, Lieutenant Baird, second lieutenant in the same. Lieutenants 
Lytle and Wells of the volunteers, then just raised, and Adjutant Church, 
who had at the request of General Brown joined Forsyth, to await the 
arrival of volunteers. A few others whose names are not remembered, 
were present. To these he read the letter of General Dearborn, and 
solicited their advice. The result of the deliberation that eusued was, 
that it was expedient to defend the place as long as practicable, and to 
abandon it only when compelled. 

The defences of the place were as follows : Near the intersection of 
Ford and Euphamia (now State) streets, stood an iron twelve pounder, 
under the command of Captain Kellog, of the Albany volunteers. It 
was mounted on a wheel carriage, and was one of the trophies won in 
the revolutionary war from Burgoyne at Saratoga. In front of the arse- 



628 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

nal* in Ford street, was a brass six pounder, on a wheel carriace belong- 
ing to the state of New York. It was under the command of Joseph 
York, with a few men mostly citizens and volunteers. A short distance 
north of the northeast corner of Mr. Parish's store, was a rude wooden 
breastwork, defended by an iron twelve pounder, which was mounted 
on a sled carriage. It was also one of the trophies won from Burgoyne, 
and was under the command of Captain Joshua Conkey, of Canton, but 
it is said was not fired, although it was so placed that it might have done 
the enemy much injury, and perhaps have checked them altogether. 
This piece had been on the armed vessel Niagara. On the point where 
the light house now stands, was a brass nine pounder, which had also 
been brought down on the Niagara, near the close of navigation. It is 
said to have been mounted on a sled carriage, and was under the com- 
mand of a sergeant in the company of Captain Kellog. This piece was 
fired repeatedly with effect, and its commander was one of the last who 
retreated when the place was finally evacuated. Back of the old stone 
garrison were two old fashioned iron six pounders, which were mounted 
on sleds. They had formed a part of the armament of some gun boats 
that had dismantled the fall before. One of these pieces was under the 
orders of Daniel W. Church, and the other of Lieut. Baird, of Captain 
Forsyth's company. In front of the gateway between the two buildings 
which formed the stone garrison, was a six pound brass piece on a sled 
carriage. This piece had been in the village during the summer, and 
for some tirne previous had been used in their exercises by a company 
of flying artillery then being formed, but which was absent or scattered 
at the time when the place was taken. About twenty feet to the left of 
this, was a six pound iron cannon, on a sled carriage, which had been 
taken from a gun boat. Besides these, there were several cannon which 
had been thrown from gun boats upon the beach in front of the stone 
garrison, which were frozen into the ice, and which together with all of 
those above enumerated, were taken by the enemy, and were never re- 
covered. 

Below the town and not far from the present brewery, was an unfin- 
ished redoubt which had been commenced towards the close of the 
season previous, but which Was at the time not occupied or defended. 
It had been commenced under the orders of General Brown, and was 
planned by M. Ramee, a French engineer, who had been in the service 
of Bonaparte, and was to have been quadrangular in form, and bore the 
name of Fort Oswegatchie. 

" The troops stationed here have been employed since last Thursday, 
in building a fort — it progresses pretty fast, considering the number of 
men employed. It is believed, however, that it will not be finished be- 
fore the winter sets in. The plan of the fort, we understand, was the 
production of Mr. Ramee, a French gentleman, who resides in this vil- 
lage." ( Ogdeitsburgh Palladium, vol. ii, M). 46. JVovember 10, 1812.) 

The drafted militia had long since returned home, and Capt. Forsyth's 
company alone remained. Lieut. Lyttle had received orders for raising 
a company of volunteers, and Joshua Conkey, of Canton, had arrived a 
little before with thirteen men, towards a company. On the evening 
previous to the attack, an arrangement had been made, that in this case 
Adjutant Church was to have charge of the piece at the garrison, and 
Sheriff York the brass bIx pounder, near the arsenal. Early in the morn- 
ing of Feb. 22, the governor departed, and at the same time Lt. Col. 

• 4 store on the west side of Ford, between State and Isabella streets. 



AND FRANKLIN COUJJTIES. 639 

McDonnel marched out on the ice in two columns, with an intention, as 
stated by British authorities, of only making a demonsti-ation, but which 
he turned iuto a real attack. One of these said to be five hundred 
strong, directed their march to a point where the breastwork had been 
thrown up below the village, but which at the time was without defense, 
and the other of about three hundred, approached from a point above the 
stone garrison. Besides the regulars, there were not more than fifty to 
show their faces to the enemy. Capt. Forsyth had drawn up his men 
in the rear of the garrison, and facing the column that was approaching 
from that quarter, and, when within half musket shot, he walked down 
in front of his men, and directed them to reserve their fire until the word 
of command was given. Near the right of the line. Lieutenant Baird 
was stationed with an iron six pounder, and Adjutant Church was about 
two-thirds the way down the line, with a brass six. No order was given 
to fire until the enemy had nearly reached the bank, where the snow had 
drifted about knee deep, and here they first fired, but without effect. 
Captain Forsyth then ordered his troops to fire, and a volley was at once 
discharged from the rifles and the two cannon. Upon hearing the order, 
the soldiers of the enemy fell prostrate, and immediately after the dis- 
charge, the company jumped up and ran off without ceremonj', leaving 
eight of their number dead on the ice. This detachment consisted of 
provincial militia and volunteers, under British officers. The column of 
five- hundred from below, under McDonnell, marched into the village 
without resistance. York and Kellog each fired upon them, but the gun 
of the latter was disabled, by the breaking of the elevating screw, at the 
first fire, which prevented it from being again used. York continued to 
fire till two of his men* were mortally wounded, and himself and party 
taken prisoners. Kellog and his men, after the accident which deprived 
them of further means of I'esistance, retired across the Oswegatchie, 
and joined Captain Forsyth. Meanwhile, the greatest confusion and 
alarm prevailed throughout the village, and numbers of citizens were 
hastening away, most of them in the direction of Heuvelton. The nino 
pounder, which was posted on the point under the charge of a sergeant, 
was fired with effect upon the first column, the moment they began to 
show disorder and commence retreat, but its position was such that it 
could not molest the other lower body. Captain Conkey surrendered 
himself without resistance. These three cannon being in their possess- 
ion, together with the village, the enemy next directed his efforts towards 
the position of Forsyth. 

There were planted in front of the stone garrison, occupied by him, 
one iron and a brass cannon, both sixes. These were loaded by Church 
and Baird, but when about to be fired, a white flag borne by two men 
was seen approaching. One of the bearers was Duncan Frazer, and the 
other Jonas Jones, who has since filled a high judicial station in Canada. 
The object of their visit was to present the compliments of Colonel Mc 
Donnel, and the conditional alternative, of " if you surrender, it shall be 
well ; if not, every man shall be put to the bayonet." Captain Forsyth 
promptly replied, " Tell Colonel McDonnel there must be more fighting 
done first." The bearers of the communication immediately returned, 
and had no sooner entered the ranks, which were drawn up in Ford 
street, near the Hasbrouck place, when the two cannon before the gate 
way were immediately discharged. The brass piece was loaded with 
case shot, and disabled eight men; but being a little too elevated, it had 

* Joseph Kneeland and Hyde, b )ih citizens. 



630 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

but little of the effect that would have been witnessed, had it been por- 
perly pointed.* 

Immediately after this discharge, the enemy retreated behind the 
stone store of Mr. Parish, for shelter. Up to this time thiere had been 
none of Forsyth's company killed, and as there remained no enemy in 
sight, the latter ordered his men within the gates, as the British began 
to fire at his company from behind various objects, by which several 
were wounded, among whom were men by the names of Squires and 
Clark. They were not so badly wounded but that they were able to 
retreat. Lieutenant Baird lingered behind after the order for retreat was 
given, and only retired when a messenger was sent with a second com- 
mand for him to leave. Soon after, some of the party, among whom 
were Church and Baird, went out to load the cannon in the rear which 
had been first used, hoping that some chance might occur for discharg- 
ing them with effect, but on returning, both were wounded, the latter 
severely. Deeming further resistance useless, Captain Forsyth issued 
orders for his men to retreat, and to rendezvous at Thurbei-'s tavern, on 
Black lake, and thence chey proceeded to De Peyster Corners, where 
they ari'ived in the evening. The British took prisoners all the men in 
the hospital, eight in number, and Sergeant Carr, who had care of the 
arsenal. Lieutenant Baird was too badly wounded to retreat, and was 
conveyed to the house of Judge Ford, where he was taken prisoner. 
Adjutant Church, with the assistance of two of Forsyth's men, retreated. 
None of this company Wtis killed, and with the above exceptions, none 
taken prisoners. There were on the side of the Americans five killed 
and eighteen wounded. As the enemy were marching down Ford 
street, some of the number on entering the store room used as an arse- 
nal, were met by a lad at the door, by the name of Jones, from Canton 
who discharged a musket, and severely wounded one of their number, 
and was in the act of reloading his piece, when the soldiers, enraged at 
this resistance, fired a volley upon the courageous boy, and finished their 
work with him by a thrust of a bayonet, which pinned him to the coun- 
ter. Further resistance not being offered, the enemy pi-oceeded to ran- 
sack the town for public property and pillage, carrying off or wantonly 
destroying private property to a great amount. Fifty-two prisoners were 
taken over to Canada, where citizens were mostly paroled and allowed 
to return home, excepting those who had been found under arms. Con- 
key and his men. Sergeant Rogers, Lieutenant Baird, and a few others, 
believed to be about twenty, were sent as prisoners of war to Montreal, 
and thence by water to Halifax, until exchanged, except fourteen, of 
whom Rogers was one, who escaped from jail at Montreal, and returned 
home. 

These prisoners were confined in an upper story of the prison ; their 
window was grated with a double row of iron bars ; a line of sentinels 
patrolled the premises surrounding, and the yard was enclosed with a 
stone wall. The manner in which they effected their escape, is said to 
have been as follows: Besides those taken at Ogdensburgli, there were 
several others confined in the same apartment, among whom was one 
who resided just south of the boundary on lake Champlain, who was 
known to be an active partizan, and had been seized on British soil, and 

* The anecdote is related, that as Mr. Church ■was about to fire this cannon, Captain For- 
syth stepped forward and ordered him to elevate it more. The former replied that it was high 
enough, but the commander, impatient of contradiction, peremptorily renewed his order, 
whicli was sullenly obeyed. It has been suggested that an additional turn of the screw was 
given to prove the soundness of his argument, and thus the lives of many of the enemy were 
saved . 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 631 

confined, as a prudential measure. To him, however, on account of 
friends residing in the city, considerable indulgence was shown, and they 
were allowed to send him, from time to time, certain dainties from their 
tables. Being of ample corporeal dimensions, and enjoying an appetite 
adequate to its maintenance, the dishes were sometimes of proportionate 
size; and especially some of the puddings, which might have sufficed 
for a small party, but which were found to conceal numbers of sharp 
files and saws. With these the prisoners worked, whenever they could 
do so, unobserved, and at the end of two weeks, had so neai'ly severed 
the bars, that they could be removed with little labor. To conceal their 
operations, the notches worked with the files were filled with a sort of 
paste mingled with the filings in such a manner as not to be readily 
detected without close observation. At length a propitious night arrived 
for their flight. An inclement storm drove the sentinels to their boxes, 
and the tempest howled around the premises, deadening what ever sound 
they might accidentally make. Their bedding was torn up and twisted 
into ropes, the bars removed, and one by one, with the exception of the 
corpulent gentleman, from whose dinners the tools had been derived, 
they glided down the rope unobserved, and succeeded in scaling the wall 
and getting away. One of their number strained his ancle, and was unable 
to accompany them ; but finding friends in the city, he remained two or 
three weeks, and finally in the garb of an agent of the commissary depart- 
ment, he was conveyed away, and Conkey and Baird remained prisoners 
till the close of the war. . 

To return to the subject: the enemy continued through the day to 
seek and carry away whatever commodities their caprice or their wants 
indicated, among which was a large quantity of provisions from the 
stone store, of which they were said to be much in need, and for which 
they paid the value. The prisoners in the jail, upon their own asser- 
tion that they were confined for political reasons, were set free, but upon 
a true representation being made afterwards, several were pursued, X'e- 
captured and given up to the sheriff. 

The wanton destruction of private property, which is said to have 
extended to every house in the village except three, was perj^etrated by 
swarms of the abandoned of both sexes from Canada, and by numbers 
of the dissolute class who belonged to the American side, and who seized 
this opportunity to gratify a morbid passion for gain, and for wanton 
ruin. The barracks were burned, and an attempt was made to fire the 
bridge, but without effect, as it was covered with ice and snow. The 
citizen prisoners captured at this incursion, were exchanged for those 
taken at Brockville. It is but just to observe that the wanton plunder of 
the enemy was disclaimed by those in command, and some efforts were 
made to procure the restoration of a few of the articles stolen. 

The following are the British official accounts of this affair, dated 
KingSjfon, February 23, 1813 : 

General Orders. — His excellency the commander of the forces, has 
the satisfaction of announcing to the army in British North America, 
the complete success of an attack made by Lieut. Col. McDonnel, of the 
Glengary light infantry, and the detachment stationed at Prescott, yes- 
terday morning, on the enemy's position at Ogdensburgh, which termi- 
nated in the capture of that place, and of eleven pieces of cannon, and 
all the ordnance and marine stores, provisions and camp equipage, and 
the destruction of two armed schooners and two gun boats. Such of 
the enemy's garrison as did not fly to the woods, were made prisoners. 
The conduct of every individual engaged, and which includes the whole 



632 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of the troops, regular and militia, stationed at Prescott, appears to have 
been highly honorable to them. The following officei-s are particularly 
noticed by Col. McDonnel, as having distinguished themselves: Capt. 
Jenkins, of the Glengary light infantry, who, the commander of the 
forces laments to find, is severely wounded, as also Lieut. Empy, of the 
militia, who has lost a leg, and Lieut. Powell, of the King's regiment, 
slightly wounded. Staff Adj utant Ridge, of the King's regiment, who led 
the advance guard, and Lieut. McAuly, of the Glengary light infantry. 
Lieutenant McDonnel reports that he was well supported by Capt. 
Eustace, and the officers of the King's regiment; by Col. Eraser and 
Lieut. Col. Eraser, and all the officers of the militia, as well as by Capt. 
Le Lievre, of the Royal Newfoundland regiment, attached to the militia. 
The field artillery was well served by Ensigns McKay of the Glengary 
light infantry, and Kerr, of the militia, and the good conduct of the Royal 
engineers is likewise particularly noticed. 

The commander of the forces was induced to authorize this attack, 
not by any means as an act of wanton aggression, the troops under his 
command having been ordered at all times to abstain from all acts of 
that nature; but as one of a just and necessary retaliation on that which 
was recently made on the British settlement of Brockville, by a party 
from Ogdensburgh, and in consequence of frequent depredations from 
that garrison committed on the persons and property of his majesty's 
subjects within its reach; and in announcing its results, his excellency 
feels much pleasure in publicly expressing his entire approbation of the 
gallantry and judgment with which it appears to have been conducted. 

His excellency directs the officers and men taken prisoners on this 
occasion to be sent to Montreal, there to remain until further orders. 
A salute to be fired inimediately. 

John Harvet, 
Lieut. Col. and Dep. Adj. Gen. 

Office of the Adjutant General's Department, 
Montreal, February 25, 1813. 

General Orders. — The major general commanding, has much satis- 
faction in announcing to the troops in the lower province, that he has 
received a report from Lieutenant Colonel McDonnel, of the Glengary 
light infantry, stating that in consequence of the wanton attack lately 
Made by the enemy on the village of Brockville, it had been determined 
to retaliate by an assault on his position at Ogdensburgh. This took 
place, in a gallant and spirited manner, under the command of that offi- 
cer, on the morning of the 22d inst., and was crowned with success after 
an action of an hour and a half, in which the enemy had about twenty 
killed, and a great number wounded. 

Lieutenant Colonel McDonnel reports his having taken possession of 
all the enemy's artillery (with the exception of one piece), as well as 
naval, military, and commissariat stores; and of his having destroyed 
the barracks and shipping. A detailed return of the stores, has not yet 
been received, but eleven pieces of artillery and several hundred stand 
of arms had arrived at Prescott. 

Lieut. Colonel McDonnel speaks In high terms of the conduct of the 
force under his command, particularly of the gallantry of Capt. Jenkins, 
of the Glengary light infantry, who was sevei-ely wounded. The lieut. 
colonel also mentions the assistance which he received from Colonel 
Frazer, Lieut. Col, Frazer, and all the officers of the militia, from Capt. 
Eustace and officers of the King's regiment, Capt. Le Lievre of the New- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 633 

foundland regiment, Lieutenant McAuley and the officers of the Gflen- 
gary light infantry, and from Lieut. Gangrelen, of the Royal engineers; 
Ensigns M'Kay of the Glengary, and Kerr of the militia, who directed 
the service of the field pieces, as well as of the spirited manner in which 
the advance was led on by Staff Adjutant Ridge. 

List of killed and wounded in the attack upon Ogdensburgh, U.2d Feb., 1813. 

Royal artillery — One rank and file killed. King's regiment — One ser- 
geant killed ; 12 rank and file wounded. JVewfoundland regiment — One 
rank and file killed, and four rank and file wounded. Glengary light in- 
fantry — Two rank and file killed; one lieutenant colonel, one captain, 
one lieutenant, two sergeants, seven rank and file, wounded. Militia — 
Two rank and file killed; one captain, eight subalterns, one sergeant, 
fifteen rank and file, wounded. Total — One sergeant, six rank and file, 
killed; one lieutenant colonel, two captains, four subalterns, three ser- 
geants, and thirty-eight rank and file, wounded. JVames of officers wounded 
— Glengary light infantry, Lieut. Col. McDonnel, Capt, Jenkins, severely ; 
Lieut. M'Kay. Militia — Capt. J. McDonnel, Lieut. Empy, severely; 
Lieut. M'Lean, and Lieut. M'Dermott. 

J. ROWEN, 

Deputy Assistant Adjutant General. 

Capt. Forsyth announced to the secretary of war the event at Ogdens- 
burgh, in the following letter, dated Feb. 22, 1813. 

" Sir : — I have only time to inform you that the enemy, with a very 
superior force, succeeded in taking Ogdensburgh this morning, about 9 
o'clock. They had about two men to our one, e?^lusive of Indians. 
Numbers of the enemy are dead on the field. Not more than twenty of 
our men killed and wounded; Lt. Beard is among the latter. 

I have made a saving I'etreat of about eight or nine miles. I could 
not get all the wounded off. 

We have killed two of the enemy to one of ours killed by them. 
We want ammunition and some provisions sent to us, also sleighs for 
the wounded. If you can send me three hundred men, all shall be retaken, 
and Prescott too, or I will lose my life in the attempt. 

I shall write more particular to-day. 

Yours, with due respect, 
Benjamin Forsyth, Cap. Rifle reg. com'g. 

The following extracts convey additional facts in relation to this affair, 
and from having been written soon after the occurrence of the events, 
possess additional interest. The first is from Mr. Rosseel, and the second 
is understood to have been written by Mrs. York, to a brother in New 
York, and was published in Niles's Weekly Register. 

" By the middle of the afternoon, having rigged out an apology for a 
one horse sleigh, I left Ogdensburgh with the land office papers, to re- 
join my family, who left it the moment the place was being taken and 
came within an ace of receiving the contents of a 32 pounder, loaded 
with grape and canister, which stood at the four corners (near St. Law- 
rence tavern), in front of which the sleigh in which my family were, 
was driving furiously along, undistinguished from the enemy, and the 
dread effect of which discharge I witnessed from my window. Several 
of the British fell at the corner of Mr. Parish's premises [in the fence of 
which, what remains, may yet be seen to this day, the marks made by 



634 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

the grape shot.] I had received from General Arnold, of the militia, who 
was here prisoner on parole, a commission for Capt. Forsyth, that he 
prepare for an attack that night. Forsyth and his rifle corps were at 
Kellog's [about a mile s. w. of Depeyster corners — on state road], and I 
found the militia at Remington's [HeuveJton]. They would not allow 
me to go fui'ther till I told them my errand. The teamster who 
drove me was very drunk, and never minded the challenge from the 
pickets placed here and there along the road, which was narrow, I 
sometimes feeling their rifles touching our bodies. At Kellog's I found 
almost all Ogdensburgh, soldier and civilian, all pell-mell. But after I 
communicated to Capt. Forsyth my message from Gen. Arnold, the 
sound of the bugle cleared the room of riflemen, and the people 
breathed more freely. After placing my family in safety, I returned to 
Ogdensburgh, between which place and Rossie Iron Works my attention 
was divided." 

Extract of a letter, February 26, 1813. " I did not leave the bouse until 
the British were close to it, and not till they had shot a great number of 
balls into it. I took nothing with me but some money, and my table 
spoons, and ran as fast as possible, with a number of other women; our 
retreat was to the distance of about 15 miles. The next day I returned; 
our house was plundered of almost every thing, and my husband a pris- 
oner on the other side. You can easier imagine my feelings than I can 
describe them. They did not leave any article of clothing, not even a 
handkerchief— they took all my bedding but left the beds; they broke 
my looking glasses and even my knives. Thus situated I determined to 
go over to Canada, and accordingly went to a flag of truce, which was 
then in this village, for permission, which I obtained. I went to one of 
my acquaintances on the other side, where I was favorably received. 
I applied to the commanding ofiicer for the purpose of ascertaining 
whether I could procure any of my clothes ; he assured me that I should 
have them if I could find them, but did not trouble himself to make 
any inquiry. My journey was not lost; I procui-ed the release of my 
husband, who was paroled and returned with me. Most of the houses 
in the village wei'e plundered. * * * You will be astonished when 
I tell you that they were not contented with what the Indians and 
soldiers could plunder during the battle, but after it was over, the wo- 
men on the other side came across, and took what was left." The 
partizan spirit of Mr. York, which was well known to the enemy, may 
have rendered his house an object on which to expend their antipathies. 
It was reported that a company of women, under the protection of a 
guard, was sent over to plunder, but this rumor is scarcely credible. 
The following anecdote, however, is doubtless reliable. One of the 
provincial militia in crossing during the day, was met by a woman re- 
turning with a large mirror, which she said she had stolen from the 
Yankees. She had scarcely spoken, when her feet slipped on the ice, 
which threw her prostrate, and her ill gotten booty was lost, while boast- 
ing of her success in obtaining it. 

Capt. Forsyth having retired with his company to Depeyster, the place 
was left defenceless, and the same day evacuated by the British. Gen. 
Brown having received news of the aflfair arrived the next day, but did 
not enter the town, and soon returned home, and Forsyth proceeded to 
Sackett's Harbor, to join the forces at that place, which a few months 
after participated in the descent upon Little York. 

Most of the citizens who fled on the attack returned home, and the 
place was left entirely without military defence, or any semblance of re- 



AND FRANLKIN COUNTIES. 635 

sistance during the remainder of the war. This defenceless condition 
occasionally exposed them to insult, and in May 1813, some deserters 
having come over from the enemy, an officer was sent across with a flag, 
with a threat to commit the village to the flames, if they were not re- 
stored. To this requisition, Judge Ford, with his usual promptness re- 
plied, that they would do -no such thing, for no sooner should he see 
them landing, than ivith Ms own hands he would set fire to his own house, 
rally his neighbors, cross the liver with torches, and burn^ every house from 
Prescott to Brockville. The British officer seeing the consequences that 
might ensue, afterwards apologized for his conduct. In the fall of 1813, 
Col. Luckett, with a regiment of dragoons, forming a part of the regular 
service, was sent in advance of the array of Gen, Wilkinson, to examine 
the country and report. 

He is believed to have been instructed to make no demonstration that 
would create alarm to the enemy, or lead to an attack. On the day of 
his arrival, Oct. 11, 1813, the town was filled with people, who had come 
to attend comt, which was to commence its session on the following day. 
It was secretly reported the same evening, to persons still living, that 
there would be a flurry next day, the meaning of which in due time be- 
came apparent. The court met and had begun business, Benjamin 
Raymond presiding as judge, assisted by Daniel W. Church, and John 
Tibbits, assistant justices. The grand jury had received their charge 
and retired, and a case was being tried, when a cannonade was heard 
from the fort at Prescott, which led to much uneasiness, and after a little 
discussion, the session of the court was interrupted for the day, by the 
withdrawing of a juror, and the room was hastily evacuated. The 
grand jury also hearing the cannonade, adjourned for the day, and left 
the house. Their room was above the court room, in what is now a 
masonic hall. In passing out, the room was hardly cleared, and the last 
person of the number in the door, when a 24 pound shot entered 
the room, shattering an end beam in the house cut obliquely across the 
seats, but a moment before occupied by the jury, and lodged in the parti- 
tion beyond. Fortunately no one was injm-ed by the cannonade, but 
some damage was done to houses. As soon as the firing commenced 
Col. Luckett retired into the back country, and there are those who be- 
lieve that a display of his force was designingly made to get up an ex- 
citement with the enemy. 

In August 1813, a direct tax of $3,000,000 was apportioned through- 
out the United States, of which ^770 was drawn from Franklin, $3,000 
from St. Lawrence, $4,610 from Jefferson, and $1,960 from Lewis 
counties. 

Before giving an account of Wilkinson's expedition, we will notice 
the operations in Franklin county, in the campaign of 1819. A com- 
pany of militia from Lt. Col. Alric Man's regiment was drafted early in 
the summer, and commanded by Capt. Rufus Tiiden, and about 18 
mounted men, who were undetr the orders of the general officers of the 
regiment, to which Tiiden was attached, viz: the 8th, commanded by 
Lt. Col. Thos. Miller, of Plattsburgh. Tilden's company were posted at 
French Mills, and commenced building a block house. Early in the 
fall, other companies of the 8th regiment, under Major Ransom Noble, 
of Essex, joined, and afterwards others under Major Young (p. 157). 
The mounted men were used as express men. This party acted in the 
descent upon St. Regis, which we have described (p. 156), but the merit 
of their boasted capture of the colors, loses its importance, if the follow- 
ing extract from Christie's history of the war (a British writer) be true. 



636 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

" The Americans in plundering the village found an ensign or union 
jack, in the house of the resident interpreter, usually hoisted upon a flag 
staff at the door of the chief, on Sundays or Holy Days, which said the 
American Major in an order issued upon the occasion (not a little proud 
of the achievement,) were the first colors taken during the war.^ 

The same author in giving an account of the affair at Toussaint island, 
states that the British force numbered 138 troops under Major Heathcoat. 
A detachment of militia commanded by Capt. Munroe had arrived near the 
close of the skirmish. Soon after the affair at St. Regis, Col. Young was 
withdrawn, and the enemy planned an attack upon Capt. Tilden, in re 
taliation for the first aggression. This took place on the 22d of Novem- 
ber, according to Christie, by detachments of the Royal artillery, 49th re- 
giment, and Glengary light infantry, amounting to seventy men, with de- 
tachments from the Cornwall and Glengary militia, of near the same num- 
ber, the whole under the command of Lieut. Col. McMillan. The block 
house was not finished and had no roof, and the company was quartered 
in a house on Water street, since owned and occupied as a dwelling by 
the late James B. Spencer. During the night an alarm had been brought 
in, and the company repaired to the block house. The British marched 
in on the old St. Regis road, west of Salmon river, crossed and paraded 
on Water street. The block bouse stood on a rising ground at some dis- 
tance east of the river. Deeming it impossible to avoid it, Capt. Tilden 
surrendered his party prisoners to the number of 44, including himself 
and two subalterns. Many escaped, and the prisoners were sent to Mont- 
real and imprisoned, one third being on parole each day until in three 
weeks they were exchanged for the very men they had taken at St. Regis, 
and released. At the affair at French Mills, Thomas Fletcher was shot 
in his door, having first discharged his rifle at a company of soldiers. 

After Captain Tilden's company were taken prisoners, their place was 
supplied by militia and volunteers from Columbia county, under the 
command of Major Tanner, part of the 9th regiment New York State 
militia, who i-emained here until the first of March, 1813, when Captain 
David Erwin raised a company of volunteers who were stationed as a 
garrison for the block house, here, during the spring and summer of 1813. 
This company in the fall joined General Hampden's forces at Chateau- 
gay, where he was intending to cooperate with General Wilkinson, after 
which this company was discharged. 

Early in 1813, a plan of operations for the reduction of Canada was 
discussed in the cabinet, Gen. John Armstrong being the secretary of 
war, and Major General Henry Dearborn at the head of the northern 
armies. The following is a copy of the general outline proposed by 
Armstrong to Dearborn, February 10, 1813: 

" 1st, 4000 troops will be assembled atSacketts Harbor. 2;d, 3000 will 
be brought together at Buffalo and its vicinity. 3d, the former of these 
corps will be embarked and transported under a convoy of the fleet to 
Kingston, where they will be landed. Kingston, its garrison, and the 
British ships wintering in the harbor of that place, will be its first object. 
Its second object will be York (the capital of Upper Canada), the stores 
collected and the two frigates building there. Its third object. Forts 
George and Erie, and their dependencies. In the attainment of this last, 
there will be a cooperation between the two corps. The composition of 
these will be as follows : 

1st, Bloomfield brigade, 1,436; 2d, Chandler's brigade, 1,044; 3d, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 637 

Philadelphia detachment, 400 ; 4th, ^Baltimore detachment, 300; 5th 
Carlisle detachment, 200; 6th, Greenbush detachment, 400; 7th, Sacketts 
Harbor detachment, 250; 8th, several corps at Buffalo under the com- 
mand of Col. Porter, and the recruits belonging there, 3000: total, 7000. 
Ihe time for executing this enterprise will be governed by the opening 
ot Lake Ontario, which usually takes place about the first of April. 

The adjutant general has orders to put the most southern detachments 
m march as expeditiously as possible. The two brigades on Lake Cham- 
plain you will move so as to give them full time to reach their destina- 
tion by the 25th of March. The route by Elizabeth will, I think, be the 
shortest and best. They will be replaced by some new raised regiments 
from the east. You will put into your movements as much privacy as 
may be compatable with their execution. Thev may be masked by re- 
ports that Sacketts Harbor is in danger, and that the principal efforts will 
be made on the Niagara, in cooperation with Gen. Harrison. 

As the route to Sacketts Harbor and to Niagara is for a considerable 
distance the same, it may be well to intimate, even in orders, that the 
latter is the destination of the two brigades now at Lake Champlain." 

The attack of Little York, and the operations on the Niagara frontier 
were a part of the plan, and tended more or less to its accomplishment' 
but their details belong to our general histoiy. On the 8th of July, 1813,' 
Gen. Dearborn was withdrawn from the command of the northern army' 
and on the 5th of August, a communication was addressed to Gen. Jas.' 
Wilkinson, proposing a plan of operations which he approved, and un- 
dertook to execute. This was to bring a combined force upon Canada, 
a part to descend the St. Lawrence, and another portion by way of Lake' 
Champlain, which were to unite and cooperate as circumstances might 
dictate. The former of these was to be under the command of General 
Wilkinson, and the latter that of Gen. Wade Hampden. It remained to 
be discussed v/hether Kingston was first to be reduced, and in the advice 
of the secretary of war, this measure was strongly recommended. Gen. 
Wilkinson arrived at Sacketts Harbor, towards the last of August, and' 
proceeded to the head of the lake to make preliminary arrangements for 
concentrating his forces. A series of unpardonable delays hindered him 
from effecting this object or of returning to Sacketts Harbor, before the 
4th of October. The secretary of war was at that post, and on the day 
following a discussion was held between Generals Armstong, Wilkinson, 
Lewis and Brown, at which the reasons for and against making Kingston 
the first point of attack, were brought forward and examined in detail, 
but at length abandoned. The same delays and embarrassments con- 
tinued and were increased by the storms incident to the lateness of the 
season. The forces assembled at Grenadier island. On the 28th of Oc- 
tober, he wrote : 

" The inexorable winds and rains continue to oppose and embarass our 
movements, but I am seizing every moment's interval to slip into the St. 
Lawrence, corps and detachments, as they can be got ready. Our ren- 
dezvous will be in Bush creek, about twenty miles below, and nearly op- 
posite to Gananoqui, which position menaces a descent on the opposite 
shore. I shall sail from that position at 4 o'clock in the morning, and 
will pass Prescott about the same time the ensuing mornino'. We have 
had such a fluctuation of sick and well between this place and Sacketts 
Harbor, that it is impossible to say in what force we shall move ; but I 
calculate on 6000 combatants, exclusive of Scott and Randolph, neither of 
whom will I fear be up in season, notwithstanding all my arrangements 
and exertions to accelerate their march." 
38 



638 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

On the first of November, 1813, the commander in chief wrote to Gen. 
Armstrong, as follows : 

"You will perceive from the duplicate under cover (letter of the 28th 
of October), what were my calculations four days since; but the winds 
and waves, and rains and snow still prevail, and we have made several 
fruitless attempts to turn Stoney Point, one of them of great peril to 
three thousand men, whom I seasonably remanded to the harbor without 
the loss of a life. Our sick, one hundred and ninety six in number, have 
not fared as well; they were embarked in stout comfortable vessels, and 
sailed the day before yesterday morning for Sacketts Harbor, but they 
were driven on shore by a storm which continued with unremitting vio- 
lence all night, and as no exertion could relieve them, I anticipated the 
loss of the whole; but the tempest having abated and the wind shifted 
from S. W. to N. E., boats were sent out yesterday morning, and Dr. Bull 
reports the loss of three men only. Otiier means of traus[)ort will be pro- 
vided to-morrow, and these unfortunate men will be sent to the hospital 
at Sacketts Harbor. Brig. Gen. Brown, with his brigade, the light artil- 
lery, the riflemen, the gun boats, Bissel's regiment and a part of Macomb's 
are, I expect, safe at French creek, with the artillery and ordnance stoi-es. 
These corps have made the traverse of the arm of the lake under cir- 
cumstances of great danger, though fortunately without the loss of a life, 
but at the expense of some boats. I shall wait one day longer, and if the 
passage shall still continue impracticable to the troops, I will land them 
on the opposite shore, march them across the country to the St. Law- 
rence, and send the empty boats round to a given rendezvous. As Major 
General Hampton is under your orders, permit me to suggest to you what 
is worthy of reflection — whether he should take a position and wait the 
arrival of my command near the confluence of the St. Lawrence and 
Grand/rivers, or whether he should move down the St. Lawi-ence and 
menace Chambly? If he is strong enough to meet Sir George, the latter 
will be the preferable plan, because it will have the effect to divide the 
enemy's force; otherwise, he shoidd adopt the first idea, hazard nothing, 
and strengthen my hands. The enclosed copy of a memorandum from 
Colonel Swift, will show you what he is about, I flatter myself, to your 
satisfaction. The sole unpleasant circumstance before me, is our total 
ignorance of the preparations of Sir George, and what we may expect to 
meet on the island. I fear no consequences; but it must be painful to 
lead more than 6000 men to battle hoodwinked^ and yet all my efforts to 
procure intelligence from Montreal, have proved fruitless." 

The following account of the progress of the expedition down the St. 
Lawrence, is derived from the journal of Dr. Arnasa Trowbridge, of 
Watertown, who attended in a professional capacity, and occasionally 
from .the published diary of General Wilkinson. 

On the 29tb, Gen. Brown's brigade, with the light and heavy artillery, 
embarked and proceeded down the St. Lawrence, the entrance of which 
was about six miles from Bason harbor, and arrived safe at French creek 
the same evening. On the 31st, orders were issued directing the remain- 
der of the army to follow, bujt a severe storm prevented the embarkation. 
The winds continued unfavorable till the 2d of November, when the 
whole embarked and arrived at Cape Vincent, nine miles, tlie same day, 
and encamped. General Brown, with the van of the expedition, had 
been attacked by the enemy's armed schooner and gun boats, but were 
repulsed with loss, and were compelled to move up the river and take a 
position eight miles below Cape Vincent. In the evening, about 10 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 639 

o'clock, Commodore Chauncey came into the river from the lake, and 
anchored near the encampment. The army appeared much gratified at 
the appearance of the fleet. 

On the 3d, the fleet weighed anchor and stood down the river. At 
seven the troops embarked and followed, with a favorable wind, and at 
nine passed onr fleet at anchor, at the junction of the British channel 
with that on the south, in such a position as to oppose the enemy, should 
they attempt to annoy the army in descending. At 3 P. M., joined Gen. 
Brown at French creek. The 4th was spent in waiting for boats with 
provisions and troops from Sackett's Harbor, and making necessary ar- 
rangements for the expedition. The 5tli was a charming day, and in the 
morning orders were issued for sailing, and at six the whole army was 
under'way, in about 300 small crafts and boats, and arrived the same 
evening at Morristovvn, a distance of forty miles; a favorable landing was 
selected, and the boats put in in good order. On the 6th the expedition 
proceeded on to within three miles of Ogdenst>urgh, and yjreparations 
were made for passing the fort at Prescott. At this i)lace Gen. Wilkin- 
son issued the following proclamation to the Canadians: 

" The army of the United States, which I have the honor to command, 
invades these provinces to conquer, and not to destroy; to subdue the 
forces of his Britannic majesty, not to war against his unoffending sub- 
jects. Those, therefore, among you, who remain quiet at home, should 
victory incline to the American standard, shall be protected in their per- 
sons and property. But those who are found in arms, must necessarily 
be treated as avowed enemies. To menace is unjust, to seduce dis- 
honorable; yet it is just and humane to place these alternatives before 
you. 

Done at the head quarters of the United States armj^, this sixth day of 
November, 1813, near Ogdensburgh, on the river St. Lawrence. 

(Signed) James Wilkinson. 

By the general's command, 
(Signed) N. Pinkney, 

>- Major and Aid-de-camp." 

"The powder and fixed ammunition were debarked and placed in 
carts, to be transported by land, under cover of the night, beyond the 
enemy's batteries. As soon as the general returned, orders were issued 
for the debarkation of every man (except so many as were necessary to 
navigate the boats), who were directed to march imder cover of the night, 
to save useless exposure to the enemy's cannon, to a bay two miles be- 
low Prescott; and arrangements were made at the same time for the pas- 
sage of the flotilla by that place, the superintendency of which devolved 
upon Brig. Gen. Brown, the general officer of the day. About 8 o'clock 
P.M., we had so heavy a fog, that it was believed we could pass the British 
fortress unobserved, and orders were accordingly given for the army to 
march, and the flotilla to get under way. The general, in his gig, pro- 
ceeded ahead, followed by his passage boat and family; but a sudden 
change of the atmospliere exposed his passage boat to the garrison of 
the enemy, and near fifty-two twenty-four pound shot were fired at her 
without effect, while the column on land, discovered by the gleam o^' 
their arms, were assailed with shot and shells without injury. General 
Brown, on hearing the firing, judiciously halted the flotilla until the moon 
had set, when it got into motion, but was perceived by the enemy, who 
opened upon it, and continued their fire from front to i-ear, for the space 



640 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of three hours; and yet out of more than three hundred boats, not one 
was touched; and only one man was killed, and two were wounded, 
Before ten next morning, the whole of the flotilla, except two vessels, 
reached the place of rendezvous." 

[Another account states, that the general resorted to the expedient of 
sending some old boats forward, on which the British expended their 
long shot; and the army passed harmless, except from one shot, which 
killed two men and wounded three others.] 

"About noon this day. Colonel King, adjutant general of the army of 
Gen. Wade Hampton, arrived, and waited on the commander-in-chief, 
whom he informed that he had been to Sackett's Harbor, with a despatch 
fi-om Gen. Hampton to the secretary of war; that he had no communi- 
cation, written or verbal, from Major General Hampton (the commander- 
in-chief), but that not finding the secretary of war at Sackett's Harbor, he 
had thought proper, on his return, to call for any communication which 
he (Gen. Wilkinson), might have to make to Gen. Hampton. The gene- 
ral had intended, in the course of the day, to send an express to Gen. 
Hampton, with an order to him to form a junction of his division with 
the corps descending the St. Lawrence, and availed himself of the op- 
portunity presented l)y Col. King, to send the order. In passing Pres- 
cott, two of our largest vessels loaded with provisions, artillery and brd- 
nance stores, either through cowardice or treachery, had been grounded 
in the river near Ogdensburgh, and opposite Prescott. 

The enemy kept up so constant a cannonade on them, tJiat we found it 
difficult, and lost half a day to get them out. We perceived the militia 
in arms at Johnstown, directly opposite us, and several pieces of field 
artillery in motion. Understanding that the coast below was lined Avith 
posts of musketry and artillery at every narrow pass of the river. Colonel 
Macomb was detached about one o'clock with the elite corps of about 
1200 men, to remove these obstructions, and the general got under way 
about half past three o'clock. 

Four or five miles below, we entered the first rapids of the river, and 
soon after passing them, two pieces of light artillery which Colonel Ma- 
comb had not observed, opened a sharp fire upon the general's passage 
boat, but without any further eflfect than cutting away some of the 
rigging. 

Lieutenant Colonel Eustis, with a party of our light gun barges, came 
within shot of the pieces of the enemy, and a cannonade ensued without 
injury to either side. In the mean time. Major Forsyth, who was in the 
rear of the elite of Colonel Macomb, landed his riflemen, advanced upon 
the enemy's guns, and had his fire drawn by a couple ofvidets, posted in 
his route, on which their pieces were pi'ecipitately carried off". 

The general came to at dusk, about six miles below the town of Ham- 
ilton, where he received a report from Colonel Macomb, who had routed 
a party at a block house about two miles below, and captured an officer." 

On the morning of the 7th, information had been received that the 
enemy had taken a position on the river above Hamilton, at a narrow 
pass, and had foitified it to annoy the flotilla in passing. These were 
dislodged by Major Forsyth. A body of dragoons had assembled here 
for crossing, and the whole of the 8th and following night were de- 
voted to transporting ^hese. About noon, advice was received that two 
armed schooners, and a body of the enemy in bateaux, estimated at 1000 
or 1500 {men, had descended the river from Kingston, and landed at 
Prescott; that they had immediately sent a flag across the river to Og- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 641 

densburgh, and demanded the surrender of all public property there, 
under the penalty of burning the town. Not long after, we received in- 
formation that the enemy had reembarked at Prescott, in their bateaux, 
and were following with seven gun boats. 

While the expedition lay at the narrows near Hamilton, on the 8tb, a 
council of war was held, Generals Wilkinson, Lewis, Boyd, Covington, 
Porter, and Swartwout, being present, in which the commander-in-chief 
stated that his force consisted of 7,000 men, and that he expected to meet 
4,000 more under Gen. Hampden, at St. Regis; that his provisions 
amounted to ten day's bread and twenty day's meat; that from the best 
of his information the enemy's force was 600 under Colonel Murray, 
troops of the line at Coteau de Lac, strongly fortified with artillery; 200 
on the island opposite, with two pieces of artillery, and about the same 
number on the south shore, with two pieces of artillery; 200 or 300 men 
of the British line of artillei-y, but without ammunition, at the Cedars ; at 
Montreal 200 sailors and 400 mariners, with the militia, numbers unknown ; 
no fortifications at that city or in advance of it ; 2,500 regular troops ex- 
pected daily from Quebec; the militiaon the line reported at 20,000 men, 
Canadians chiefly. This information was procured by colonel Swift, who 
employed a secret agent for the purpose. Under these cii-cumstances 
Major General Wilkinson submitted to the council the following pi-opo- 
sition, viz: Shall the army proceed with all possible rapidity to the at- 
tack of Montreal ? The above information was given by a confidential 
agent of reputed integrity, who left Montreal on the 3d instant ; it was 
added, that two British armed vessels, with sixty bateaux with troops, had 
arrived at Prescott this morning, and that four hundred were the last 
evening. at Cornwall, about thirty-three miles below this point. With 
these facts before them, the question was asked, "shall we proceed to 
attack Montreal .'" to which Lewis, Boyd, Brown, and Swartwout, de- 
cided in the affirmative, and Covington and Porter expressed strong ap- 
prehensions from want of proper pilots, &c., but saw no other alternative. 

A body of 300 provincial militia had, the evening before the arrival of 
the main army, been driven by Forsyth from a block house, with two 6 
pound cannon, and this he had burned. On the evening of the 8th, the 
passage of the cavalry to the north shore was accomplished, and on the 
9th at 6 A. M., the 2d brigade with two companies of the 2d artillery, the 
riflecorps and cavalry commenced their march by land to Williamsburgh, 
and in the afternoon the flotilla moved down the river. Very early in 
the morning, the enemy in the rear had a slight skirmish with the rjfl&- 
raen, in which we had one man killed, and the enemy retired. The 
object of Gen. Brown's being sent forward with a part of the army, was 
to clear the shore of any annoyances which the enemy might have erect- 
ed, opposite the rapids and narrow defiles of the river. The flotilla 
passed down 11 miles, and came to for the night, and the army encamped 
on ground selected by Gen. Boyd, guards were posted, and all remained 
quiet for the night. The enemy continued to follow up the rear, and on 
arriving at Hamilton availed themselves of the opportunity to send to 
that village a peremptory demand for the restoration of some merchan- 
dise that had been captured under the following circumstances: 

In October, 1813, some six or eight bateaux laden with merchandise, 
and owned in Kingston and Toronto, were passing along up the river, 
under the Canadian shore, and were moored for the night, not far from 
opposite the head of Ogden's island, when they were surprised, while 
most of the crews were sleeping, and captured without resistance. This 
expedition was planned and executed mostly under the direction of Ben- 



642 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

jamiii Richards, of Hamilton, acting under a letter of marque, and as- 
sisted by a volunteer party of citizens. A part of the captured goods 
were stored in a warehouse in the village, and the cloths and lighter 
articles were taken to Madrid (Columbia village) and in other inirts of 
the town for greater security. Soon after Gen. Wilkinson with his army 
Jiad ))assed, Col. Morrison of the army which hung upon the rear of the 
Americans, stopped at the village, landed a part of jiis force, and de- 
manded a surrender of the merchandise. No resistance could of course 
be offered or attempted, and he was proceeding to take what might be 
found of the property. While engaged in this, he heard a cannonade 
below, which made him impatient of delay, and he hastily spiked a 6 
pound iron cannon which he found in the village, and ordered the 
goods and building in which they were to be set on fire. The day was 
beautifully dry and sunny, and the building, if burned, must have con- 
sumed a considerable part of the village. The principal citizens begged 
of the commanding officer of the enemy to consider this, and succeeded 
in getting tiie order coimtermanded under the stipulation that all the 
goods inthe village which had been captured should be the next day 
landed on the Canada shore. 

This agreement was fulfilled, but the portions which had been sent 
back to the Grass river were still in the hands of the captors. Some 
barracks belonging to the village of Hamilton, and which had been used 
by detachments of troops, were burned. 

In January following, Capt. Reuben Sherwood, an active loyalist, of 
daring courage, who was well acquainted with the country, having acted 
as a surveyor, and who often appeared without disguise or concealment 
on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, crossed the river near Point 
Iroquois, with the design of recovering the remainder of the merchan- 
dise. He arrived late. in the evening with a company of provincial 
ixiilitia, [)0sted guards in the village to prevent resistance, pressed a 
number of teams with their drivers, and proceeded to Columbia village,^ 
where he succeeded in recovering, without difficulty, the greater part of 
what had been deposited in that place, which had not been purloined. 
The party engaged in this incursion returnetl about day light, decked 
out with ribbons and streamers of brilliant colors, which formed a part 
of their capture, and recrossed the St. Lawrence, without the loss of a 
man. Scandal relates that a party was hastily rallied to pursue and 
recover the goods, but that a quantity of shrub, a very agreeable mixed 
liquor, was left in a conspicuous place, which had its designed effect, and 
that the pursuing party were thus disarmed. This incursion, from the 
boldness with which it was conceived and executed, created a general 
feeling of insecurity among the inhabitants, and convinced them that the 
state of war was a reality; that they were at any moment liable to an 
unexpected and unwelcome visit from the enemy, and that their lives 
and property were alike at the mercy of the British. From this lime 
forward, there was nothing attempted that might provoke retaliation, or 
invite an unceremonious visit from Canada. 

To return from this digression: on the morning of Nov. 10, informa- 
tion was received that the enemy had collected at or near the foot of the 
Long saut, determined to oppose the passage of the flotilla. To dis- 
lodge these, Gen. Brown was sent forward, and about noon was engaged 
by a party of tlie enemy near a block house on the saut, erected to har- 
rass the flotilla in its descent. At the same time the enemy \yere ob- 
served in'the rear, who commenced a cannonade, which obliged the 
general to order two 18 pounders to be run on shore, and formed in 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 643 

battery, which soon compelled them to retire up the river. These oper- 
ations had so far wasted the day, that the pilots were afraid to enter the 
saut, and they came to anchor opposite the premises of John Chrysler, 
about nine miles above the head of the Long saut rapid. At 4 p. bi., a 
party of 50 men under Capt. Burbank, fell in with a party of the enemy 
in a grove about a mile in the rear of the camp, who were dispersed by 
a few volleys, losing one man and killing two. A few minutes after 
this', a small body of mounted men appeared in the road near the river, 
who were fired upon by our rear guard of gun boats, and dispersed. At 
5 o'clock, a body of men appeared at the same place, with two 6 pound- 
ers, and opened a fire on our gun boats, which was returned, and kept 
up for some minutes. Gen. Boyd advanced against these, who retired. 
As it was considered important to hear from Gen. Brown, whether the 
passage was clear before committing himself to the saut, from which 
there was no retreat, the American flotilla fell down a short distance, 
and came to under Cook's point,* about a mile below Chrysler's. 

Before giving an account of the battle that ensued, it may be well to 
describe the topography of the country. The Canada shore is here very 
level with the exception of three or four ravines, caused by rivulets, 
which would afford no obstacle to the crossing of troops, but would 
hinder the passage of artillery. With the exception of a narrow strip 
of woods, between, Chrysler's farm and Cook's point, the country was 
cleared. Parallel with the river, and a mile distant, lays an ash swamp, 
which forbade the mai"ch of troops. The current of the river at the 
point is very strong, the channel being but 1,300 yards ovei', and very 
deep, so that it would have been ditficult for boats to retain a position, 
except near the shore. During the whole voyage, and especially at the 
time of the battle. Gen. Wilkinson was very ill, and much of the time , 
confined to his cabin. Word having been received about 10 o'clock, 
that Brown had dislodged the enemy, and was proceeding down, orders 
were issued for the flotilla to sail, when eight of the enemy's gun boats 
appeared in the rear, and commenced a smart fire upon the rear guard 
of gun boats. Several shots were directed at tlie flotilla, but none took 
effect. A large row galley, carrying a 32 pound cari'onade, was the 
most formidable in the enemy's line. The following is an extract from 
Gen. Wilkinson's ofiicial account of the events of the 11th of November: 

" A variety of reports of their movements and counter movements 
were brought to me in succession, which convinced me of their deter- 
mination to hazard an attack, when it could be done to the greatest ad- 
vantage; and therefore I resolved to anticipate them. Directions were 
accordingly sent by that distinguished ofiicer, Col. Swift, of the engineers, 
to Brig. Gen. Boyd, to throw the detachments of his command assigned 
to him in the order of the preceding day, and composed of his own, 
Covington's and Swartwout's brigades, into three columns, to march upon 
the enemy, outflank them, if possible, and take their artillery. The 
action soon after commenced with the advanced body of the enemy, and 
became extremely sharp and galling, and with occasional pauses, not sus- 
tained with great vivacity in open space and fair combat, for upwards of 



*The river at this place is very narrow, and in the following summer, a 
small fort of earth and timber liaving the shape of the annexed plan was 
erected. It enclosed a quarter of an acre, and was built under Lieut Ingles, 
from whom it received the name of Ingle's fort It has since been levelled . 




644 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

two and a half hours, the adverse lines alternately yielding and advanc- 
ing. It is impossible to say with accuracy what was our number on tlie 
field, because it consisted of indefinite detachments taken from the boats 
to render safe the passage of the saut. Gens. Covington and Swartwout 
voluntarily took part in the action, at the head of detachments from their 
respective brigades, and exhibited the same courage that was displayed 
by Brig. Gen. Boyd, who ha|)pened to be the senior oflicer on the ground. 
Our force engaged might have reached 1,600 or 1,700 men, but actually 
did not exceed 1,800; that of the enemy was estimated from 1,200 to 
2,000, but did not probably amount to more than 1,500 or 1,600, consist- 
ing, as I am informed, of detachments from the 49th, 84th and 104th 
regiments of the line, with three companies of the Voltigeur and Glen-' 
gary corps, and the militia of the country, who were not included in the 
estimate. 

It would be presumptuous in me to attempt to give a detailed account 
of the affair, which certainly reflects high honor on the valor of the 
American soldier, as no examples can be produced of undisciplined men 
with inexiperienced officers, braving a fire of two hours and a half, with- 
out quitting the field, or yielding to their antagonist. The information is 
derived from officers in my confidence, who took active parts in this 
conflict; for though I was enabled to order the attack, it was my hard 
fortune not to be able to lead the troops I commanded. The disease 
with which I was assailed on the 2d of September, on my journey to 
Fort George, having, with a few short intervals of convalescence, preyed 
on me ever since, and at the moment of this action, I was confined to 
ray bed, and emauciated almost to a skeleton, unable to set on my 
horse, or move ten paces without assistance. I must, however, be par- 
doned for trespassing on your time a few remarks in relation to the afftur. 

The objects of the British and American commanders were precisely 
opposed; the last being bound by the instructions of his government, 
and the most solemn obligations of duty, to precipitate his designs on 
the St. Lawrence by every [iracticable means; because this being effect- 
ed, one of the greatest difficulties opposed to the American arms, would 
be surmounted; and the first, by duties equally imperious, to retard and 
if possible, prevent such descent. He is to be counted victorious who 
effected his purpose I The British commander having failed to gain 
either of his objects, can lay no claim to the honors of the day. The 
battle fluctuated, and seemed at different times inclined to the contend- 
ing corps. The front of the enemy were at first forced back more than 
a mile, and though they never regained the ground they lost, their stand 
was permanent and their courage resolute. Amidst these charges and 
near the close of the contest, we lost a field piece by the fall of an officer 
who was serving it, with the same coolness as if he had been at a parade 
or a review. This was Lieut. Smith, of the light artillery, who, in point 
of merit, stood at the head of his grade. The enemy having halted and 
our troof»s being again formed into battalion, front to front, we resumed 
our position on the bank of the river, and the infantry being much 
fatigued, the whole were reembarked and proceeded down the river 
without any further annoyance from the enemy or their gun boats, while 
the dragoons with five pieces of light artillery, marched down the 
Canada shore without molestation. 

It is due to his rank, to his worth, and bis services, that I should make 
pai-ticular mention of Brig. Gen. Covington, who received a mortal wound 
directly through the body, while animating his men and leading them to 
the charge. He fell where he fought, at the head of his men, and sur- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 645 

vived but two days. The next njorning the flotilla passed through the 
saut, and joined that excellent officer, Brig. Gen. Brown, at Barnhart's, 
near Cornwall, where he had been instructed to take post and await my 
arrival. And where I confidently expected to hear of Major General 
Hampton's arrival on the ojjposite shore. But immediately after I halted, 
Col. Atkinson, the inspector general of the division under Major Gen. 
Hampton, waited on me with a letter from tliat officer, in which to my 
unspeakable regret and surprise, he declined the junction ordered, and 
informed me he was marching towards lake Cham plain by way of co- 
operating in the proposed attack upon Montreal. This letter, together 
with a copy of that to which it is an answer, was immediately transmit- 
ted to a council of wai', composed of my general officei-sand the colonel 
commanding the elite, the chief engineer and the adjutant general, who 
unanimously gave it as their opinion, that the attack upon 3Iontreal 
should be abandoned for the present season, and the army near Corn- 
wall should be immedia'tely crossed to the American shore for taking up 
■winter quarters, and that this place afforded an eligible position for such 
quarters. 

I acquiesced in these o|)inions, not from the shortness of the stock of 
provisions, (which had been reduced by the acts of God), because that 
of our meat had been increased five days, and our bread had been 
reduced only two days, and because we could in case of extremity, 
have lived on the enemy; but, because the loss of the division under 
Major Gen. Hamilton, weakened my foree too sensibly to justify the at- 
tempt. In all my measures and movements of moment, I have taken 
the opinion of my general officers, whicli have been in accord with my 
own. 

I remained on the Canada shore until next day, without seeing or 
hearing from the "powerful force" of the enemy in our neighborhood, 
and the same day reached the position with the artillery and infautiy. 
The dragoons have been ordered to Utica and its vicinity, and I expect 
are fifty or sixty miles on the march. You have under cover a summary 
abstract of the killed and wounded in the affair of the 11th inst. which 
shall soon be followed by a particular return, in which a just regard 
shall be paid to individual merits. 

The dead rest in honor, and the wounded bled for their country and 
deserve its gratitude." 

Killed. — Subalterns 3; Serjeants 7; corporals 3; musicians 1; privates 
88 ; total 102. 

Wounded. — Brigadier general 1 ; assistant adjutant general 1 ; aid-de- 
camp 1; colonel 1; major 1; captains 5; subalterns 6; Serjeants 9; 
corporals 13: musicians 1; privates 198; total 237. Total killed and 
wounded, 339. 

JVames of the commissioned officers killed and wounded. — Killed, Lieut. 
Wm. W. Smith, of the light artillery; Lieutenant David Hunter, of the 
12th regiment of infantry; Lieutenant Edward Olmstead, loth do., do. 

Wounded. — Brig. Gen. Leonard Covington, mortally, (since dead); 
Major Talbot Chambers, assistant adjutant general, slightly; Maj. Darby 
Noon, aid-de-camp to Brigadier Gen. Swartwout, slightly; Colonel 
James P. Preston, of the 23d regiment infantry, severely, his right thigh 
fractured; Major W. Cummings, 8th regiment, severely; Captain Ed- 
wai'd Foster, 9th do., slightly; Captain David S. Townsend, do. do., 
severely, (taken prisoner); Captain Mordecai Myers, 13th do., severely; 
Captain John Campbell, do., slightly; Captain John B. Murdoc, 2.5th 
do., slightly; Lieut. Wm. S. Heaton, 11th do., severely; Lieut. John 



646 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Williams, 23d, do., slightly; Lieut. John Lynch, do. severely, (taken 
prisoner); Lieutenant Peter Pelham, 21st do. severely, (taken prisoner); 
Lieutenant James D. Brown, 25th do., slightly; Lieut. Archibald C. 
Crary, do. do., severely, in tlie skirmish the day before the action, 

British Official Account of the Battle, dated LaChine, ISthJSfov. 1813. 

General Orders.— His Excellency the Governor General and Com- 
mander of the forces, has received from Lieut. Col. Morrison, 89th regi- 
ment, the official report of the action which took place on the 11th inst., 
at Chrysfler's farm, 20 miles above Cornwall, between the corps of ob- 
servation, consisting of the 49th and 89th regiments, and a detachment 
from the garrison at Preseott, under Lieut. Col. Pearson, the whole 
amounting to about 800 men, and the principal division of the enemy's 
army, commanded by Major General Boyd. On the day preceding the 
action, an affair took place in consequence of the corps of observation 
])ressiug on the enemy, which after a short conflict, determined in his 
defeat, the British division occupying that night the ground on which 
the affair had taken place. On the 11th, Lieut. Col. Morrison continued 
his pursuit, when the enemy concentrating his force, made a grand 
effort to relieve himself from so troublesome an opponent, and advanced 
with his heavy columns of infantry, supported by artillery, his front 
covered by a numerous body of cavalry and riflemen. Lieut. Col. 
Morrison fell back gradually, and took up a judicious position, (which he 
had previously made choice of), with his little band, his right on the 
river, consisting of the flank companies of the 49th regiment and a de- 
tachment of the Canada fencibles, under Lieut. Col. JPearsen, with a 
six pounder a little advanced, supported by the companies of the 89th 
regiment, under Captain Barnes; the 49th and 89th regiments formed 
the main body of reserve extending across the road to a pine wood, 
occupying a space of seven hundred yard.s. Major Heriot, with a de- 
tachment of the Canadian Voltigeurs, and a small baud of Indian war- 
riors under Lieut. Anderson, secured the left flank. The action com- 
menced about 2 o'clock, p.m., and in half an hour became general, the 
enemy attempting to turn the left of the British, but were repulsed by 
the 49th and 89th regiments, which advanced firing by wings and pla- 
toons. 

The enemy having failed in this attempt, united their utmost efforts in 
an attack on the right, supported by four pieces of artillery and their 
cavalry, which was in like manner repulsed, the 49th and 89th regiments 
having moved up in echellon and formed in line; a charge commenced 
by the 49th regiment, was not persevered in, in consequence of the 
enemy's having charged upon the right, and threatened to gain the rear; 
but their cavalry were so gallantly received by the three companies of 
the 89th regiment under Captain Barns, and the well directed fire of the 
artillery under Capt. Jackson, that they were instantly repulsed, and by 
the rapid pursuit of Capt Barn's party, a six pounder was cfiptured from 
the enemy, whose attention was now solely directed to cover the retreat 
of his beaten forces. In this last effort he was foiled by a judicious 
movement of the corps under Lieut. Col. Pearson, who continued to 
pursue the enemy in his flight. [Here Col. Morrison speaks of the merits 
of Lieut. Cols. Pearson and Plenderleath ; Majors Clifford and Heriot, of 
the militia, and Capt. Jackson; also of Lieut. Col. Harvey; Captains 
Skinner and Davis, of the staff; Lieut. Anderson, of the Indian depart- 
ment; and Lieut. Hagerman of the militia.] 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 647 

It is with deep regret that Lieut. Col. Morrison transmits a list of 
casualties, containing the loss of several brave soldiers, but when the 
unequal contest, and the quadruple loss of the enemy, and the im- 
portance of this splendid victory are considered, the comparative British 
loss will appear less than might reasonably be expected. 

[The particular returns of the several corps are omitted.] 

Total. — 1 captain, *2 drummers, and 19 rank and file, killed; 1 captain, 
9 subalterns, 6 Serjeants, and 131 rank and file wounded; twelve rank 
and file missing. 

Mimes of Officers killed and wounded. — ^19th" regiment, Capt. Nairne, 
killed; Lieut. Jones, wounded dangerously; Lieut. Clans, wounded, left 
leg amputated; Lieut. Morton, wounded severely, not dangerously; 
Lieut. Richmond, wounded slightly. 

89th regiment — Capt. Brown, w^ounded severely, not dangerously; 
Ensign Leaden, wounded slightlj". 

49th flank compan}' — Lieut. Holland, wounded severely. 

Canadian Fencibles — Lieut.. Delorimiere, wounded dangerously, since 
dead ; Lieut. Armstrong, wounded dangerously. 

By his Excellency's command, 

Edward Bat^jer, Adj. Gen., N.A. 

The preceding reports were made the subject of severe comments by 
the American press, generally. 

The following account of the battle was prepared by Dr. A. Trow- 
bridge, of WatertowD, N. Y., who was present: 

■ "Night came on and all schemes for meeting or attacking the enemy 
were changed for making suitable arrangements for the safety of the 
camp. The troops were marched back and posted on the same ground 
they occupied the night before. Strong guards were sent out in different 
directions, the troops were posted in line of battle, and directed to sleep 
on their arrns. The night passed uninterrupted by alarms. It appeared 
evident from the movements of the enemy that a considerable force was 
advancing to attack us or pass our rear by land. The morning of the 
11th was spent in making the usual preparations for marching. At 10 
orders were issued for detachments of Generals Boyd's, Covington's 
and Swartwout's brigades, with 4 pieces of light artillery, and the re- 
maining body of dragoons to march to join Gen. Brown, wiio it was un- 
derstood had dispersed the enemy and taken a position at Cornwall. The 
movements had begun when the rear was attacked, the boats were 
brought to, and Gen. Swartwout sent back to meet the enemy. He 
dashed into the woods with the 2d regiment infantry, coiumanded by 
Col. Ri})ley, who, after a short skirmish, drove them back to a ravine, 
where they kept up a sharp fire upon our advancing columns, which 
charged upon the enemy, killed and wounded several, and took 20 pri- 
soners. The enemy retreated in a scattered condition, in various direc- 
tions. The main body of the enemy were now seen advancing in 
columns on the west extremity of Chrystler's field. They opened a fire 
of musketry, and from a six pounder which was heavy, and galling upon 
our troops composed of the 1st regiment and a detachment from the first 
brigade commanded by Col. Cole. This body was now ordered to flank 
the enemy's left. This was promptly done imder a heavy fire from the 
enemy. Gen. Covington having been ordered up now took the position 
just left by Ripley and Coles, nearly in front of the enemy, and within 
rifle shot distance. The fight now become general and quite stationary. 



648 HISTORY OP ST LAWRENCE 

Gen. Covington soon received a mortal wound by a rifle shot. Col. Preston 
next in command, w^as soon after w^ounded in the thigh by a ball, fractur- 
ing the bone. Major Cumins was next wounded, and was obliged to re- 
tire. Many platoon officers were wounded or killed, and within 30 minutes 
after, the whole brigade was in confusion and left the field. A few 
minutes previous, two six pounders were brought up by Lieut. Smith, 
and posted near some houses occupied by the enemy. Their position 
was favorable and their fire destructive to the enemy, but the lieutenant 
was soon killed, and most of his men wounded by musketry from the 
liouses, and our piece taken. The enemy's fire was now turned upon 
Ripley and Coles flanking party retiring from their position. About this 
time a squadron of dragoons commanded by Maj. Woodferd, took a])osi- 
tion in the rear, and suffered much from the enemy's fire. They were 
finally ordered to charge the enemy. This was made in the road upon 
the enemy in houses and behind board fences. The whole body soon 
returned with 30 horses without riders. The enemy's attention was so 
much diverted from Ripley and Coles retreating detachment, that by 
passing, partly covered by the forest, they made good their retreat. The 
guard left at the boats was ordered up commanded by Col. Upham. They 
occupied a position a few minutes in front of the enemy, who remained 
stationary in column, keeping up a steady fire from iwo six pounders 
upon everything that appeared on the field to annoy them. Many of our 
wounded had been taken back to the boats ; about 40 were left in a ravine 
and taken by the enemy. Gen. Boyd was the senior officer on the ground. 
Gen. Wilkinson was sick and confined to his boat and bed, and unable 
to muster forces without assistance. Gen. Lewis, next in command, was 
sick and unable to do duty. 

Tlie American troops were stationed on the margin of the river near 
the flotilla, and were reembarked with the wounded and sick, and pro- 
ceeded down the river without further annoyance from the enemy or 
their gun boats, Avhile the dragoons with 15 pieces of artillery, marched 
down the Canada shore, witjjout molestation. The flotilla arrived at the 
heac of the saut at 9 o'clock p. m., and encamped on the American side 
of the river. The badly wounded were placed in barns and log houses, 
and made as comfortable as circumstances would permit. The weather 
was cold, with snow and sleet, with storm and wind. The next morning 
the flotilla passed the saut, and joined Gen. Brown at Baruharts, near 
Cornwall. A council of officers was called which soon unanimously 
gave their opinion that the attack on Montreal should be abandoned, and 
that the army should be immediately crossed to the American shore for 
taking up winter quarters. The dragoons were recrossed and marched 
for Utica the same day, and the flotilla proceeded directly to French Mills, 
where they arrived the same night at 3 o'clock A. M. On the arrival of 
the army ai French Mills the weather become intensely severe and re- 
mained so till the 23d of January. The soldiers have been subject to 
great fatigue; many had lost their blankets and extra clothing. The sick 
and wounded had no covering or shelter except tents in the severe lati- 
tude of 45 degrees. In the vicinity of French Mills, the country was a 
wildnerness. Provisions were scarce and of bad quality. Medicine and 
hospital stores were not to be found, and a supply could not be obtained 
short of Albany, a distance of 250 miles. It was ascertained that these 
stores were abundantly provided at Sacketts Harbor, but were, in stead 
of being placed on board of separate boats, distributed throughout the 
boats of the flotilla for which no officer could be made accountable. The 
want of these necessaries for the sick and wounded was severely felt. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 649 

Under these circumstances, sickness and mortality was very great, and 
excited general alarm." 

, On the 11th of November, Hampden wrote to Wilkinson that he 
would be unable to meet him at St. Regis, but would return to Lake 
Champiain, and cooperate by a descent from that place. " This reached 
Wilkinson at Barnhart's island. A council was convened and it was re- 
solved to cross to the American shore, and take up winter quarters at 
French Mills, and accordingly the flotilla entered Salmon river and took 
possession. There a frightful mortality occurred, which is described by 
Dr. LovelJ, a, surgeon, as follows: The weather soon became intensely 
cold, and remained so all winter. In addition to the great fatigue to 
which the soldiers had been exposed, especially the division fioni Fort 
George, most of them had lost their blankets and extra clothing on their 
march, or in the action of the 11th. Even the sick had no covering ex- 
cept tents, fi-om the period they debarked at the Mills, until the 1st of 
January, in the severe latitute of 45*^. Provisions were scarce and of a 
bad quality. Medicine and hospital stores were not to be found, having 
been lost or destroyed in the passage down the St. Lawrence. Under 
these circumstances sickness and mortality were very great. A morn- 
ing report now before me, gives 75 sick, out of a small corps of 160. 
The several regiments of the army, in their returns, exhibited a propor- 
tionate number unfit for duty. Of the 75 referred to, 39 were reported of 
diarrhcea and dysentery; 18 of pneumonia; 6 of typhus; and 12 of para- 
lysis of all the extremities. Many of the paralytics, on their arrival at 
the Mills, were attended with mortification of the the toes and feet. In 
a few of these the pain was severe, whei'ein opium not only relieved 
the pain but checked the progress of the mortification. 

Stimulants, both externally and internally, were beneficial, and when 
these remedies were assisted by a nutritious diet, warm lodging and 
clothing, a cure was effected. The last complaint generally seized 
those who previously had been extremely reduced by disease, and un- 
der our unavoidably bad situation, frequently in a few days proved 
fatal."* 

" In the vicinity of the French Mills, the country was a wilderness. 
Huts and hospitals were necessary to render the army comfortable. 
The erection of these was a work of great labor, and required several 
weeks to complete it, A supply of hospital stores could not be ob- 
tained neai'er than Albany, a distance of 250 miles. The want of these 
necessaries for the support of the very wretched and enfeebled soldier, 
was most severely felt. The poor subsistence which the bread of the 
first quality afforded, was altnost the only support that could be had for 
nearly seven weeks. These accumulated evils the army encountered 
with much patience and heroic fortitude. Now it was the chief sur- 
geon, who was with the flotilla, found himself loaded with a weight of 
censure, of which he should be fairly exonerated, so far as he was 
blamed for the loss or waste of medicine and hospital stores on the St. 
Lawrence. It was abundantly demonstrated that no separate transporta- 
tion for these stores, although expressly ordered by the commander-in- 
chief, had been provided; but that they had been improvidentally dis- 
tributed throughout the boats of the flotilla, and for the security of 
which no officer had been, nor could have been made accountable. 

The deaths, sickness and distress, at French Mills, xjxcited general 
alarm. The great mortality had obvious causes for its existence. In all 

*Mann'8Medic'alketches, p. 119. 



650 - HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

such cases censure will fall on some department. And as each was 
disposed to exonerate itself, upon which was blame more probable to 
have ali<>hted than the medical — than upon the surgeons of the 
army under whose immediate care the victims of disease were daily 
prostrated! Thei'e are to be found some, who ignorant of the effects of 
medicine on the human constitution, are too prone to believe its exhibi- 
tion may be equally efficacious, under every circumstance and condition 
to which the patient may be subjected. Hence it was incorrectly in- 
ferred, when men were beheld expiring under the prescriptions of the 
surgeons, the mortality was a consequence of injudicious management 
or neglect of duty. Predispositions to diseases, the effects of obvious 
causes, the comfortless conditions of men exposed to cold, wanting the 
common necessaries of life, to support them in their exhausted states, 
are seldom taken into consideration. Di-. Lovell, one of the most able 
and indefatigable surgeons of the army, emphatically observed, " It 
was impossible for the sick to be restored, with nothing to subsist upon 
except damaged bread. '* * * '^' * * 

At Malone Hospital on the 1st of February, 1814, the number of 
sick had increased to 450. For an additional number of 200, sent from 
French Mills, rooms were wanted, which were promyjtly j)rovided by 
Capt. Dwight, A. Q.. M. G., who continued to give me his assistance." 

for supplying the army of Gen. Wilkinson, an immense quantity of 
stores had been forwarded from Piattsburgh and Sackett's Harbor, at 
great expense. A portion of the latter was deposited at Hopkinton, and 
Malone, and these were constantly arriving when the order to evacuate 
the place was received. On the week before leaving, about 1400 barrels 
of pork and beef, a 100 casks of whiskey, and other parts of rations, 
were sent by James Campbell, assistant store keeper at tlie Mills. 
About 60 tons of hard biscuit, being considered not worth removing un- 
der the circumstances, was sank in Salmon river, in a hole cut in the ice, 
besides which about ten tons were distributed among the inhabitants, to 
keep from the enemy, but much of this was soon after seized by the 
British. The troops on evacuating, burned their boats (328 in number), 
down to the level of the ice, together with their barracks. The ex- 
penses to government during the time that the army tarried at French 
Mills, is said to have been $800,000. 

"On the 9th of February, 1814, orders were issued to leave the canton- 
ment. One division under Gen. Brown, moved up the St. Lawrence to 
Sackett's Harbor, the other under the immediate command of the com- 
mander-in-chief, directed its march to Piattsburgh. In consequence of 
the retrograde movement of the army from French Mills, the hospital 
at Malone, at this time under good regulations was broken up and the 
sick were ordered to proceed on routes destined for their respective 
regiments. * * * The few accommodations on the routes were 
wretched. The inhabitants although kind were not under circum- 
stances to furnish means to render the situation of the sick men even 
comfortable. Nothing was omitted within their abilities to meliorate 
their miserable condition. Knowing that so large a detachment of sick 
and invalids could not be covered at night, if they moved in a body; 
the sleighs that transported them were successively put in motion in 
small divisions. Their line of movetnent, three days forming, extended 
the whole distance from Malone. The first division arrived at Piatts- 
burgh, the place of their destination, about the time the last commenced 
its jtrogress. About 20, very sick, who were left in the hospitals, under 

*Mann,s Medical Sketches. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 651 

the care of a citizen physician, were made prisoners of war, by the 
British, who immediately followed the retrograde march of the army, as 
far as Malone. Those left in the hospitals were not molested in their 
persons, but were only dbliged to sign their paroles, the greater part of 
whom, after five or six weeks, joined the hospital at Burlington.* * * 

The last of the American army had scarcely left French Mills, and a 
few teamsters were employed in removing what they might be able of 
the stores, when a detachment of British troops, marching in columns, 
and preceded by a hoard of savages, entered the village to plunder 
whatever of public property might be left. 

An unlucky teamster, having lingered behind, and as the enemy ap- 
proached, was attempting to escape, was shot by the officer who com- 
manded the Indians. The ball lodged in the muscles of the neck, and 
still, it is said remains; the man, contrary, to all expectations, having 
survived. He still lives to relate the narrow and hazardous escape which 
he ran. An account of this incursion was published soon after, in the 
paper, from which we quote the following: 

" Oh Saturday, the 19th, the enemy hearing that our troops had 
marched, ventured to cross the St. Lawrence, with a motely tribe of regu- 
lars, provincials, and a detachrnent of the devil's own, — sedentary militia, 
and their brethren, a band of savages. This martial body amused them- 
selves at French Mills until one o'clock, p. m., and then inarched, with 
eight pieces of artillery and two cart loads of congreve rockets. At the 
fork af the roads, eleven miles from the mills, ii detachment was sent 
off to Malone, aiid the main body passed on to Chateaugay, where it ar- 
rived about 4 o'clock in the morning of the 20th, There, it is reported, 
a scene of plunder began, which greatly distressed several of the in- 
habitants, and every particle of beef, pork or flour, with every drop of 
whiskey which could be found, was seized on as public property, antl 
carried away. By this gleaning, without discrimination between the in- 
dividual and the public, it is believed the enemy earned off between 150 
and 200 barrels of provisions of all sorts, good and bad — public and 
private." 

During the winter some ten or fifteen teamsters had been hired in 
Lewis county, and many more from Jefferson, to convey flour from 
Sackett's Harbor to French Mills. They received each seven barrels, 
and were allowed nine days to perform the trip, at $4 per day and ra- 
tions. They arrived at Hopkinton towards the last of January, where 
their loads were left (some 300 barrels, under the care of a few soldiers), 
and thence they proceeded to French Mills, to aid in removing the sup- 
plies from that place to Plaftsburgh. They performed one trip, and 
were returning, when they were pressed at Chateaugay, and again com- 
)ielled to return to Plattsburgh, with loads of provisions and stores. 
This they accomplished, and had got as far as Chateaugay, where 32 
teams had stopf>ed at a tavern, in the village for the night. There was a 
rei)ort in circulation, that the enemy were over, and their horses were 
left in their harnesses, ready for instant retreat if necessary. Mean- 
while the party within, unmindful of danger, were singing and drinking 
to pass away the night, for sleep among such a crowd, was out of the 
question, when their gayety was suddenly arrested by the entrance of a 
British officer (Major Sherwood), who enquired of the landlord, who 
these gentlemen were, and on being told that they were American team- 
sters, he informed tiiem that they were all prisoners of war. There 
were but 28 British soldiers, wiio were under the immediate command 

*Manii,s MeJical Sketches. 



652 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of Captain Conklin. The night was spent in searching for military 
stores and provisions, which were placed in the sleighs, and in the morn- 
ing they commenced a retreat with whatever they could pick of public 
property.* 

Gen. Hampden's movements have been alluded to. He had been 
ordered in September to proceed to Burlington, and Vaise recruits to join 
Gen. Wilkinson in his proposed operations. He advanced a short dis- 
tance into Canada, and returned to Chazy, from whence he proceeded to 
Chateau gay. 

His artillery consisted of 8 six pounders, 1 twelve and 1 howitzer, but 
was deficient in military supplies and provisions. On the first of Octo- 
ber, an attack was niade with 3 or 400 regulars and as many Indians, upon 
Col. Snelling, an outpost, but was repulsed. On the 21st of October, 
an incursion was made into Canada, but without accomplishing its object. 
An intervening forest of eleven or twelve miles existed before 'reaching 
the Canadian settlements on the Chateaugay, and the obscure road 
through this had been blocked up by fallen timber, and was defended by 
the Indians and light troops of the enemy. The following is an extract 
from the official account of Gen. Hampden : 

"Brig. Gen. Izard, with the lig-ht troops and one regiment of the line, 
was detached early in the morning to turn these impediments in flank, 
and to seize the more open country below, while the army preceded by a 
strong working party, advanced on a more circuitous route for a road. The 
measure completely succeeded, and the main body of the army reached 
the advanced position on the evening of the 22d. The 23d and 24th 
were employed in completing the road, and getting up the artillery and 
stores. I had arranged at my departure under the direction of Maj. Parker, a 
line of communication as far up the St. Lawrence as Ogdensburgh, for 
the purpose of hastening to me the first notice of the progress of our 
army down. I had surmounted 24 miles of the more difficult part of the 
route, and had in advance of me seven miles of open country, but at the 
end of that distance commenced a wood of some miles in extent, which 
had been formed into an entire abatis, and filled by a succession of wooden 
breast-works, the rearmost of which was supplied with ordnance. In 
front of these defences were placed the Indian force and light corps of the 
enemy, and in the rear all his disposable force. As the extent of this force 
depended on his sense of danger on the St. Lawrence, it was a cause of 
regret that all communication from yourself or Major Parker, seemed to 
be at an end. As it was however b.elieved that the enemy was hourly 
adding to his strength in this position if free frotn the ap|)rehension of 
danger fi-om above, an effort was judged necessary to dislodge him, and 
if we succeeded we should be in possession of a position which we could 
hold as long as aey doubts remained of what was passing abov^e, and of 
the real part to be assigned us. Our guides assured us of a shoal and 
practic.ible fording place opposite the lower flank of the enemy's de- 
fenses, and that the woods on the opposite side of the river, a distance of 
seven or eight miles, was practicable for the passage of the troops. Col. 
Purdy, with the light corps and a strong body of infantry of the line, was 
detached at an early hour of the night of the 25th, to gain this ford by 
the morning, and to commence his attack in the rear, and that was to be 
signal for the army to fall on in front, and it was believed the pass might 
be cari-ied before the enemy's distant troops could be brought forward to its 
support. I had returned to my quarters from Purdy's column about 9 

♦Among other stores they took oft' a large cask, supposed to conlain rum, Imt which when 
they reached Fiench Mills, was found to hold nothing- but water. The unfortunate cask was 
nstautly knocked in the iiead, much to the amusement of the teamsters. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 653 

o'clock at night, when I found a Mr. Baldwin, of the quarter master 
general's dapartment, who put into my hands an open paper from the 
quarter master general, respecting the building of huts in the Chateaugay, 
below the line. This paper sunk my hopes, and raised serious doubts of 
receiving that efficient support which had been anticipated. I would 
have recalled the column but it was in motion, and the darkness of the 
night rendered it impracticable. 1 could only go forward. The army 
was put in motion on the morning of the 26th, leaving its baggage &c., 
on the ground of encampment. On advancing near the enemy it was 
found that the column on the opposite side was not as far advanced as 
had been anticipated. The guides had misled it, and finally failed in 
finding the ford. We could not communicate with it, but only waited 
the attack below. At 2 o'clock the firing commenced, and our troops 
advanced rapidly to the attack. The enemy's light troops commenced a 
sharp fire, but Brig. Gen. Izard, advanced with his brigade, drove him 
every where behind his defenses, and silenced the fire in the front. This 
brigade would have pushed forward as far as courage, skill and perse- 
verance could have carried it; but on advancing it was found that the 
firing had commenced on the opposite side, and the ford had not been 
gained. The enemy retired behind his defenses, but a renewal of his 
attack was expected, and their troops remained some time in their posi- 
tion to meet it. The troops on the opposite side were excessively 
fatigued. The enterprise had failed in its main point, and Colonel Purdy 
was ordered to withdraw his column to a shoal four or five miles above, 
and cross over. The day Avas spent, and Gen. Izard was ordered to with- 
draw his brigade to a position three miles in the rear, to which place the 
baggage had been ordered forward. The slowness and order with which 
Gen. Izard retired with his brigade, could but have inspired the enemy 
with respect. They presumed not to venture a shot at him during bis 
movement, but the unguardedness of some part of Purdy's command ex- 
posed him to a rear attack from the Indians, which was repeated after 
dark, and exposed him to some loss. These attacks were always re- 
pelled, and must have cost the enemy as many lives as we lost. Our en- 
tire loss of killed, wounded and missing, does not exceed fifty. In its 
new position within three miles of the enemy's post, the army encamped 
on the night of the 26th, and remained until 12 o'clock of the 28th. All 
the deserters, of whom there were four, having concurred in the informa- 
tion that Sir George Provost, with three other general officers, had ar- 
rived with the whole of his disposable force, and lay in the rear of these 
defences, and a letter from Major " Parker (by express received in the 
evening of the 26th), having informed me that no movement down the 
St. Lawrence had been heard of at Ogdensburgh, and for some distance 
above. The following questions were submitted to the commanding 
officers of the brigades, regiments and corps, and the heads of the general 
staff, in a council convened for the purpose : " It is advisable under ex- 
isting circumstances, to renew the attack on the enemy's position, and if 
not, what position is it advisable for the army to take, until it can receive 
advices of the advance of the grand army down the St. Lawrence?" 
The opinion of the council was expressed in the following words : " It 
is the unanimous opiniou of this council that it is necessary, for the pre- 
servation of this army and the fulfillment of the ostensible views of the 
government, that we immediately return by orderly marches to such a 
position (Chateaugay), as will serve our communications with the United 
States, eirher to retire into winter quarters, or to be ready to strike below." 
In pursuance of this opinion the army has retui-ned by slow marches to 
this place, and now awaits the order of the government." 

39 



654 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

As soon as news reached Plattsburgh that the enemy had followed, a 
bod}' of troops was sent back to meet them, but they were soon informed 
that tlie invading party had retreated. In our accoimts of Hopkinton, 
Malone and Fort Covington, are given the details of this affair. 

The unsuccessful issue of the military operations of the northern army 
in the campaign of 1813, created much dissatisfaction throughout the 
Union, and the conduct of the generals who had conducted the enter- 
prises became the subject of severe censure, and both became the subject 
of investigation by courts martial. That of Gen. Wilkinson was by an 
order of the secretary of war, assembled at Utica, in January, 1815, and 
adjourned to Troy. He was charged, 1st, witli neglect of duty and un- 
ofiicer like conduct, stated in eight particulars; 2d, with drunkenness on 
duty, with two specifications; 3d, conduct unbecoming an officer and 
gentleman, with six instances; and 4th, in countenancing and encourag- 
ing disobedience of orders. To all of these he plead not guilty, and after 
a protracted trial, during which his actions and motives wei-e severely 
canvassed, he was discharged. The official correspondence of the cam- 
paign was published by order of Congress, 

On the 25th of March, 1814, the citizens of Franklin county held a 
public meeting at Malone, to unite in a petition to the legislature for 
protection against the insults and ravages of the enemy. With glowing 
and expressive language they represented their miseries, and invoked 
aid to protect their property from ravage and themselves from insult. 
The following is an extract from this document. 

^We, the subscribers, being chairman and secretary of a genei-al meet- 
ing of the inhabitants of Franklin county, do respectfully represent: 

That we are peculiarly and dangerously situated, and as freemen of 
this state, and citizens of our common country, ready to shed our blood 
in its defense, we ask for protection. 

Like our brethren of the Niagara frontiers, many of our good citizens 
have experienced the spoliation of their goods, clothing and provisions, 
the locks of our desks and trunks have been broken, and books sacred 
and profane, valuable papers and money have been taken from them. 
We have escaped massacre and conflagration, but we have witnessed 
that Avhoever run was stopped by the force of powder and lead, and 
whoever submitted was under the humiliating and mortifying situation 
of being an eye witness to the spoliation of his goods. But this whole 
country is exposed to daily depradations. The barbarous savage may be 
prowling about our dwellings, and in our weak state of defense we must 
tamely submit to every insult and injury. The father experiences, with 
tenfold increase, the anxious solicitude of a parent and a husband. The 
mother hugs her infant closer to her breast, contemplating with fear and 
horror the dangers that await her. 

The God of mercy only knows how soon the father may fall a victim 
to the brutal inhumanity of our enemy, in defending the land, the home 
of his affection ; how soon the infant may be torn from the arms of its 
mother, and sacrificed to the sanguinary notions of a brutal foe ; and 
how soon the house that shelters them from the stormy tempest, maybe 
laid in ashes, and not a vestige of husbandry or cultivation be left to mark 
the residence of man. 

Why have these calamities happened ? Has it been the production of 
General Hampton's letters to the secretary at war, degrading the frontier 
settlements as almost improper subjects of protection, that the army 
should be ordered from their strong positions in this county, to the vil- 
lages of Plattsburgh and Sacketts Harbor.? These are strange move- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 655 

ments, at a great sacrifice of public property, which we are unable to 
account for. 

But our situation is too dangerous and degrading- for us as Americaii 
citizens, to have patience to sit peaceably under, and yet to flee our resi- 
dences would but complete the ruin which is already begun. 

We do further represent, that our enemies are continually drawing 
supplies of provisions from our frontiers, and the majesty of the civil 
law is trampled under foot, and the arm of the magistrate is put forth 
with little or no effect. 

Our jail has been opened by our enemies, and prisoners set at liberty, 
and our military force is wholly insufficient to render us secure. 

By an act of April 6, 1814, the sheriff of St. Lawrence county was 
directed to remove the prisoners in the county jail, to the Lewis county 
jail, for safekeeping. 

In the summer of 1814, Capt. Thomas Frazer crossed the St. Lawrence 
at Hammond, with 60 men, and proceeded to Rossie to apprehend some 
horse thieves who were said to be lurking in the vicinity. Mr. James 
Howard was at the time holding a justice's court, which was hastily dis- 
solved, and the parties sought were not secured. They made inquiries 
into the operations of the furnace then building, and are said to have 
exacted a pledge that munitions of war should not be cast there. In 
returning several persons volunteered to row them down the lake to the 
narrows, from whence they crossed to Canada. A plan was formed to 
attack them as they passed down the river, but this was discountenanced 
as only calculated to excite retaliation. This event occurring at about 
the time of the taking of Washington, gave rise to the presage, "that 
since the head and tail of the nation had both been captured, the re- 
mainder of the body would follow as a natural consequence." 



656 msTORY OF st. Lawrence 



CHAPTER X. 




THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 

HERE had existed for several years in the 
Canadian provinces, a pai-ty which labored to 
obtain certain reforms in government, among 
which were the extension of the elective fran- 
chise and the procuring of a responsible elective 
council. This aroused a bitter feeling, and late 
in November, 1837, the press of the reformers 
was destroyed by a mob, which but increased 
the excitement, and at length the aid of the 
military force was called out to arrest certain 
prominent leaders of the reform party. The 
prisons became filled with persons charged 
with treason ; martial law was proclaimed in 
the lower province, and numerous instances of 
wanton violence on the part of the soldiery occurred. Numbers 
fled to the states for an asylum, and the popular riots that ensued 
were only aggravated by the efforts made to suppress them. It is 
not our purpose to narrate the details of the causes pr merits of the 
movement, but however much justice there may have, been in the 
demands of the reformers, it will be the duty of the future historian 
to record the fact, that the pretext was seized by sundry American citi- 
zens, as a favorable opportunity to push forward their private schemes 
of personal aggrandizement and pecuniary speculation, and the planning 
of enterprises which they had neither the honor nor the courage to sus- 
tain when their support involved personal danger. The masses who 
acted in these movements, were doubtless actual^ed by sincere motives, 
and were blinded and misled by a few designing villians. The sympa- 
thies of our citizens have ever been on the side of political liberty, and 
our past history is filled with examples of its expression towards those 
seeking it, and this was the more sensibly felt from the vicinity of the 
arena of operations, and the belief that the sentiment of revolution, and 
aspirations for an independent republican existence were entertained by 
the masses of Canada. Refugees from the provinces were scattered 
through the northern states, who related with excited language, their 
version of the movements, and these causes, with many others concur- 
ring, led to efforts having for their avowed object the independence of the 
Canadas. The destruction of the American steamer Caroline,* Dec..29, 

* The Caroline was built as a small coasting' sail vessel, in South Carolina, and her timber 
"was the live oak of that section. At Troy she was changed into a small steamer, and under 
the name of Carolina, was run from Troy to Albany for some time. She "was then taken 
through the Erie and Oswego canals to Lake Ontario, and plied as a ferry at Ogdensburgh. 
From this place she was taken through the Welland canal, and was used as a small ferry boat 
at Buffalo and vicinity, when she was employed in the patriot service, seized and destroyed 
by a party of Canadians. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 657 

1837, excited this feeling to an extraox'diuary degree, and public ?iieetings 
were held throughout the country to express an honest indignation at 
the outrage and invoke the executive arm to protect our national rights. 
In this movement there vs^as no political or sectional feeling. The sub- 
ject became the absorbing topic of the press, and eveiy mail was eagerly 
awaited to learn the news fi'om the seat of the disturbances. On the 
12th of Feb., 1838, Wm. L. McKenzie, a prominent leader of the move- 
ment, addressed the citizens of Ogdensburgh on the Canadian question, 
and in the evening and following morning a cannon was fired several 
times with the view of honoring the speaker, but with the effect of as- 
sembling crowds of excited citizens. In the evening several persons 
from Pi'escott crossed to ascertain the cause of the firing, who met a 
company of the Patriots, (as the friends of the movement were called,^ 
who arrested and detained them till morning. This illegal proceeding 
irritated the Canadians, and increased the hostility. On the 18th of Feb. 

1838, ,the state arsenal at Watertown was robbed, and a reward of $250 
offered for the burglars. Active measures were taken to assemble arms 
and munitions of war along the frontier, and secret associations styled 
Hunters' lodges, wer6 soon formed in the large villages, to organize a 
plan of resistance, and circulate early intelligence of the movements. 

On the night between the 29th and 30th of May, 1838, the British 
steam boat Sir Robert Peel, on her passage from Prescott to the head of * 
the lake, while taking fuel, at Well's Island, in Jefferson county, was 
boarded by a company of armed men, the crew and passengers driven 
on shore, and the steamer burned. The details of this infamous trans- 
action, as collected soon after by several gentlemen from Ogdensburgh, 
are given below : 

" On the 30th of May, the undersigned were informed that the steamer 
Sir Robert Peel, a British boat, had been boarded by a band of armed 
men, plundered and burnt, at a place known as Wells island, Jefierson 
county. We immediately started in the steam boat Oswego for the 
neighborhood of the outrage, and at Brockville took with us the purser 
and several of the hands of the steam boat Sir Robert Peel, with a view 
to obtain their testimony in aid of bringing the offenders to justice. On 
our arrival at French Creek, we learned that six men were then under 
arrest charged with the offence of burning and plundering the boat, 
and that three had been committed. 

From the evidence taken, we think we can not err in saying the fol- 
lowing is the substance of the facts relative to the destruction of the Sir 
Robert Peel: On the night of the 29th of May, the steamer on her pass- 
age up from Prescott to the head of the lake, touched at a wharf on 
Wells (a United States) island. The wharf was built entirely for selling 
wood to steam boats. There was no building, except one log shanty, 
belonging to the woodmen, within half a mile or more of the wharf, and 
there is not more than an acre of cleai-ed land in sight of the wharf, on 
the island. When the boat first touched at the wharf, the man furnish- 
ing wood informed the captain of the boat that he had seen armed men 
on the island, and he was afraid they might be there with hostile inten- 
tions against the boat. The captain made light of the woodman's warn- 
ing, let down the steam, and proceeded to take in wood. The captain, 
mate, and all the cabin passengers retired fi-om the deck of the boat, 
and most of them were in bed. The boat touched at the wharf about 1 
o'clock in the night, and had lain there about an hour, when a band of 
men armed with guns and bayonets, painted and dressed in Indian cos- 
tume, suddenly rushed upon the boat, and by hideous yells and violent 



658 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

thrents, drove all the officers, hands and passengers on shore. There 
were about ten passengers in the ladies' cabin who were driven on shore 
without their baggage, and in their night clothes; and the passengers 
lost a considerable portion of their baggage. 

Immediately after the pirates got possession of the boat, they proceed- 
ed to sack and plunder it. Very soon after they had driven the officers, 
hands and passengers of the boat on shore, they cut her from the wharf. 
She floated out some thirty rods, and stoi)ped at a small island or rock. 
About an hour after the armed band got possession of the boat, they set 
fire to her in several places, and then took to their boats, which they had 
in preparation. Most of the witnesses estimate the number of armed 
men from thirty to forty, who took possession of the boat. 

On our arrival at French Ci'eek, we found nine persons had been ar- 
rested on suspicion of being concerned in bm-ning the boat. At French 
Creek we found one Thomas Scott, a surgeon, who had been a passen- 
ger on board the Sir Robert Peel, having come on board at Brockville. 
Doctor Scott is a citizen of Brockville, U. C, and his character as a most 
reputable man has been vouched for by several respectable inhabitants 
of Brockville. Upon the examination of the prisoners. Dr. Scott was 
sworn as a witness, and testified that he was a passenger ou, board the 
Sir Robert Peel; that after the band of armed men got possession of the 
boat, and he had been upon the wharf, he returned to the boat for his 
baggage, invited by one Robinson, another passenger, assuring him of 
safety, and was taken to the ladies' cabin to dress a wound of Hugh 
Scanlan, who said he bad I'eceived a blow from a stick of wood. Scan- 
Ian was one of the prisoners, and identified by Dr. Scott. Dr. Scott 
states that while he was dressing the wound, the boat was cut from the 
wharf, and floated so that he could not get ashore, and after the boat 
was set fire to, to save his life, he went into the boat with the armed 
band, and they took him away to an islajid (we have since learned, 
called Abel's island). The band of men there had a kind of shanty or 
encampment. He remained with them until after sunrise the next morn- 
ing. The pirates enjoined, and he promised, not to make any disclos- 
ures to injure them. They then allowed him to depart, and he got a 
farmer to take him ashore. He saw and counted all the persons who 
boarded the boat, and who went to the encampment, and he knows 
there were no more than twenty-two armed men who boarded the boat. 
He saw them all washed, and in their natural dresses, after sunrise, on 
the morning of the 30th of May. 

It was talked and understood at the pirate's encampment, that all the 
persons, except two, who were engaged in the capture of the boat, were 
Canadian refugees, or Canadians who claimed to act in revenge for in- 
juries. Dr. Scott states that if he could see, he could identify nearly 
every person engaged in the outrage. Nine of the persons concerned 
were fully committed for trial, and two or three, yet unarrested, are 
known, who were concerned in the outrage. Vigorous means have 
been taken to secure their arrest. The boat is wholly destroyed, 

John Fine, B. Perkins, Smith Stilwell." 

At 5 o'clock in the morning, while the Robert Peel was still burning, 
the steamer Oneida, on her downward trip, arrived, and took off the 
passengers on the island to Kingston, the nearest British port, about 30 
miles up the river. The cabin passengers, nineteen in number, acknow- 
ledged in the public papers their gratitude to Capt. Smith, of the Oneida, 
for thus generously relieving them from their unpleasant condiiion. 

An outrage so flagrant as this, could not pass without the notice of 



AND FRANLKIN COUNTIES. 659 

government, and the most prompt and decisive measures were adopted 
by the authorities on both sides of the St. Lawrence, for the arrest of 
the authors of the act. The leader of the party that boarded and burned 
this steamer publicly acknowledged the act, with the motives which m- 
duced hiin to the attempt, in the following proclamation that was cn-cu- 
lated through most of the newspapers: 

To all ivhom it may concern: I, William Johnston, a natural born citizen 
of Upper Canada, certify that I hold a commission in the Patriot service 
of Upper Canada, as commander-in-chief of the naval forces and flotilla. 
I commanded the expedition that attacked and destroyed the steamer Sir 
Robert Peel. The men under my command in that expedition were 
nearly all natural born English subjects; the exceptions were volunteers 
for the expedition. . 

My head quarters were on an island in the St. Lawrence, without the ju- 
risdiction of the United States, at a place named by me Fort Wallace. I 
am well acquainted with the boundary line, and know which of the islands 
do, and which do not, belong to the United States, and in the selection 
of the island I wished to be positive, and not locate within the jurisdic- 
tion of the United States, and had reference to the decision of the com- 
missioners, under the 6th article of the treaty of Ghent, done at Utica, 
in the state of New York, 13th of Junp, 1822. I know the number of 
islands, and by that decision, it was British territory. 

I yet hold possession of that station, and we also occupy ^a station 
some twenty or more miles from the boundary of the United States, in 
what was his majesty's dominions, until it was occupied by us. I act 
under orders. The object of my movements, is the independence of the 
Canada^. 1 am not at war with the commerce or property of citizens 
of the United States. 

Signed this 10th day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand 

eight hundred and thirty-eight. 

William Johnston. 

On the 4th of June, 1838, Governor Marcy issued a proclamation, 
offering a reward for the arrest of certain persons, alleged to be con- 
cerned in the burning of the Robert Peel, viz: For William Johnston, 
$500: for Daniel McLeod, Samuel C. Frey and Robert SmiUi, each 
$250; and $100 each for the detection and delivery of other otte"ders. 
In a letter to the secretary of war, dated Watertown, June 3, 183«, he 
advised the cooperation of the governments of Canada with the United 
States, in endeavoring to clear the St. Lawrence of the Patriot forces, 
said to be lodged among the Thousand islands. , j 

It was estimated that at least five hundred men well armed, and ac- 
commodated with boats adapted to the object tobe accomplished, would 
be required to effect this purpose. The governor of Canada also offered 
a reward of £1,000, for the conviction of any person or persons con- 

'"''on'^thrmonihigS'the 2d of June, 1838, the American steam boat 
Telegraph, while leaving Brockville, was haded by two sentries, belong- 
ing to the volunteer militia, and fired upon with balls, six shot in all 
belnc^ fired, three of which struck the steamer. About the same time, 
several shots were fired from another wharf. Upon an examination 
which ensued, it appeared that the firing was not justified by orders, and 
it was asserted that no intention to hit the steamer existed. The sentries 
stated that they fired them as alarm guns. They were discharged,, but 
no further action was taken in relation to the matter. 



660 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Jn a message from President Van Bm*en to congress, of June 20, 
1838, it is stated that the outrages committed on the steam boat Sir 
Robert Peel and upon the Telegraph at Brockville, had not been made 
a subject of formal demand for redress by either government, as these 
acts were considered criminal offences committed within the jurisdic- 
tion of tribunals competent to enquire into the facts, and to punish those 
engaged in their i)erpeti'ation. 

Directly opposite the present depot at Ogdensburgh, stands a tall but 
massive stone tower, with a tin covered dome, whose enormous but di- 
lapidated appendages indicate thepurposesof its erection as a wind mill. 
This has been the theatre of a sanguinary conflict, the details of which 
were as follows: 

Early in November, 1838, the Patriots, who had previously rallied in 
clubs and secret lodges, which had free and constant communication 
with each other, began to exhibit an intention of making fresh demon- 
strations upon Canada, at some point which was known only by those 
who were in their confidence. Unusual numbers of strangers were 
seen about Syracuse, Oswego, Sackett's Harbor, Watertovvn, &c., and 
large quantities of arms, many of which were of most beautiful work- 
manship, were collected and concealed. 

About the 10th of November, two schooners named the Charlotte of 
Oswego and the Charlotte of Toronto, were noticed as being freighted at 
Oswego, from boats that had arrived from Syracuse, by the Oswego 
canal, under circumstances that were suspicious. After being laden 
they left the harbor, taking a northerly course. The steamer United 
States had been in port from Tuesday, the 6th instant, undergoing some 
repairs, which were not completed till Saturday the 10th. There had 
been a pretty heavy gale on the lake on Friday and previous days, which 
created a heavy swell, and made the navigation of that water unpleasant. 
The United States left Oswego about 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 
llth instant, to continue her regular trip down the lake and river. On 
her leaving Oswego, she took about a hundred and fifty passengers, ac- 
cording to the testimony of Wm. Williams, the first mate. All of these, 
except one, were men passengers, without any baggage, except small 
budgets, and two or three trunks. There was a nail keg put on board, 
which fell in handling, and the head came out, when it was found filled 
with lead bullets, which rolled over the deck. There was also a number 
of boxes taken on board, marked for Cape Vincent. The steamer ar- 
rived at Sackett's Harbor between I or 2 o'clock, and lay there three- 
fourths of an hour, and here about twenty or thirty passengers came on 
board, all of whom were men. 

The fire room was filled with men, the window of the fire room, in 
shore, was shut down, and in other respects the men were about the 
decks as usual. The United States passed the Telegraph (a steamer 
then in the service of the United States government), about eleven miles 
from Sackett's Harbor, opposite Point Peninsula. The passengers were 
on deck, and in open view of those on the government steamer. The 
mate of the United States testifies, that he heard some of the leaders of 
the men tell them to keep out of sight. The steamer stopped at Cape 
Vincent about half an hour, and here some ten or eleven passengers 
came on board. On arriving near the foot of Long island, below Mil- 
len's bay, the two schooners that had left Oswego, on the 10th, were 
discovered, and Cf.pt. James Van Cleve, upon the request of a respect- 
able looking passenger, who represented that they belonged to him, and 
were fi-eighted with merchandise for Ogdensburgh, consented to take 
them in tow. Soon after the wuid shifted, and blew more down the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 661 

river, having previously been in such a quarter, that the vessels couid 
not sail down to advantage. These schooners were lashed one on each 
side of the steamer, and her speed with them in tow was about eight 
miles an hour. The speed of the Telegraph was about nine miles an 
hour. The steamer touched at French Creek a few minutes, and seven 
or eight men came on to the schooners. Soon after leaving this port, 
the nature of the business of the passengers became evident, and swords 
and pistols were openly taken from boxes on board the steatner. The 
passengers being exclusively males, and unencumbered by baggage, and 
the suspicious character of the little freight which they did take on 
board with them, rendered it sufficiently evident that they formed a body 
of men designing some military enterprise against some point on the 
St. Lawrence. The boxes on board the steamers were here transferred 
to the schooners, which had not been long in tow before great numbers 
of men came from the latter on board the steamer, the greater part of 
them from the larger of the two, which was the Charlotte of Oswego. 
A consultation was now held between the captain and two of the owners 
of the stamboat present, and Hiram Denio, one of the bank commission- 
ers, who was on board as a passenger, as to what was best to be done 
under the circumstances; and it was concluded to stop at the wharf at 
Morristown (the next American port), and cause information to be given 
to a magistrate of the character of the passengers on board of the steamer, 
and of their supposed objects, and of the steam boat having towed down 
the schooners, and also to send an express with like information to 
Ogdensburgh, with instructions to communicate the same to the marshal, 
if he should be there (as it was supposed he was), or if not, to a magis- 
trate ; and for the said steamer to remain at Mon-istown, until the express 
should have had time to ari'ive with the intelligence. 

It was obsei'ved that one of the passengers on board the steamer, had 
a sword concealed under his cloak, and was looked upon by the others 
with that deference that indicated that they regarded him as their com- 
mander. Under his direction, about half of those on board entered the 
schooners, and the rest remained on board. Just before the steamer 
reached Morristown, (about eleven o'clock on Sunday night, Nov. 11), 
the schooners were unfastened, and dropped astern, and were seen no 
more by those on board the steamer, until their arrival in Ogdensburgh 
on the next morning. An express was sent on, as had been agreed upon. 
It is also believed that information was sent over to the village of Brock- 
ville, to the same effect. It had now become quite certain, that Prescott 
was the point against which the expedition was to be directed. The 
United States, after.stopping two hours and a half, resumed her course 
to Ogdensburgh, where she arrived about three o'clock on Monday morn- 
ing. The fires were put out immediately on entering the port, as usual, 
and the hands, with the exception of the customary watch, retired. The 
schooners, after parting company with the United States, proceeded on 
their way, and the wind being favorable, reached Prescott during the 
night. They contained, as has been above suggested, and as afterwards 
appeared, a military armament under the command of General John W. 
Birge, but which were under the more immediate command of one Von 
Schoultz, a Polish exile, who had seen much of military operations in 
his own countiy, and who doubtless had been induced to join this ex- 
pedition from sincere motives, to promote a cause which Jie had been 
made to believe was just and honorable. Upon their approaching Pres- 
cott, one of the schooners was made fast to the upper wharf, and Von 
Schoultz urged his men to land, with bayonets fixed, and muskets un- 
oaded; march into the village, and take possession of the fort at once. 



662 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

A hesitation on the part of some of the leaders, and a diflference of 
opinion as to the mode of attack, arose, which led to a delay, and the 
schooner was soon after cast off. Those who Avere conversant with the 
condition of the town, and the strength of the garrison at Fort Welling- 
ton at that time, have expressed an opinion, that but little difficulty would 
have been experienced, at the first moment, in taking effectual possess- 
ion. Soon after, the Charlotte of Oswego, grounded on the soft slimy 
delta of mud, which the Oswegatqhie has deposited in the St. Lawrence, 
at its confluence with the Great river. About sunrise, on Monday morn- 
ing, a crowd assembled on the dock, at which the United States was 
moored, and from the movements and conduct of those who took a lead- 
ing part in the proceedings, it was evident they intended to seize that 
steamer, in order to assist in promoting their enterprise. Early in the 
morning, an iron six pounder cannon, belonging to the village of Ogdens- 
burgh, and a brass four pounder, belonging to the state of New York, 
and in charge of an artillery company under Capt. A. B. James, were 
seized by the Patriots, and afterwards conveyed across the river in a scow, 
to the Avind mill. Several of the owners of the steamer, upon perceiv- 
ing that the demonstrations on shore, and the movements of the armed 
men, threatened the seizure of the boat, endeavored to obtain of the civil 
and military authorities assistance in preventing it. The marshal of the 
district was absent; the collector (Mr. Smith Slilwell), as was abundantly 
proren by evidence taken subsequently, upon a suit growing out of this 
affair, made strenuous and diligent efforts to prevent the proceedings 
which ensued, but without effect. Meanwhile the streets were filled with 
armed men, and it was perceived that the village of Prescott was alive 
with the bustle of preparation to resist the movements which were in 
progress against them. The leaders of the patriots in Ogdensburgh pro- 
ceeded to muster a volunteer company to man the steamer, and openly 
derided the efforts of the civil authorities in preventing them. Having 
obtained a crew, partly it is said by volunteers and those whom they hired 
of the crew, and partly by those from on shore,, the fires were kindled, 
and as soon as steam could be got up, they left the wharf, with loud 
cheers from the crowd, to go to the assistance of the schooner that had 
run aground. The schooner Charlotte of Toi-onto, after casting off from 
the upper wharf, fell down the stream, and took a position early in the 
morning, nearly opposite the wind mill, about a mile below. The walls 
of this were thick and massive, and the interior was divided into several 
stories. It had been formerly used as a grist mill, but for several years 
previous to this time, it had been deserted, and its machinery had fallen 
to i-uius. Around it were several massive stone houses, at a short dis- 
distance,''the most or all of which were inhabited by famihes. The pub- 
lic road from Prescott down the river, passes immediately by it, and 
separates it from most of the stone houses. The point on whicli the 
wind mill stands, juts for some little distance into the St. Lawrence, and 
the margin of the river for a considerable distance above and below, as 
well as opposite, was overgrown by a thicket of cedar. Here from the 
schooner, and from a number of small boats that crossed the river, a 
lodgement was made, and a portion of the armament of the schooner 
was landed. The steamer United States did not succeed in getting off 
the grounded schooner, and presently returned to the American shore. 
The Experiment, a British steam boat, was lying at this time at the wharf 
at Prescott, and being armed with cannon, fired upon her without effect. 
Additional hands were now procured to navigate the steamer, which had 
herself groinuled tor a short time on her first trip, and she was again 
worked into the river, near where the schooner Charlotte of Oswego, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 663 

lay agi'ound, ancj soon after again returned. A demand was here made, 
from one on board to those on shore, for a longer hawser, which was 
promised from a neighboring store, and a quantity of bread and other 
provisions was conveyed aboard. On again leaving the dock, she went 
out into the channel, going between the grounded schooner and the 
British shore, and passed down the river nearly or quite to Wind Mill 
point, and was twice fired upon by the Experiment, but it is believed 
without effect. After arriving at Wind Mill point, she remained there 
some time, and about this time the Charlotte of Toronto, having re- 
mained opposite the wind mill till about the middle of the day, sailed up 
the river, and came to anchor near the American shore, not far fi-om 
where the other schooner subsequently anchored, and remained till dark. 
The movements of the United States had consumed nearly half of the 
day, and she came up at about the same time with the Charlotte of To- 
I'onto, and apparently with a view to cover her from the fire of the 
British steam boat. She again went down to Wind Mill point, at each 
tims of passing receiving a fire from the Experiment, which shot were 
cheered by those on board, who were assembled on the promenade deck ; 
but as she was coming up on her last trip, with great speed- and ap- 
parently under a great press of steam, a cannon shot from the British 
steamer, entered the wheel house, and instantly beheaded a young man 
by the name of Solomon Foster, who stood as a pilot at the wheel. Upon 
arriving in port this time, the United States lay during the remainder of 
the daj', near the wharf. During this time the boat was apparently under 
the orders of one Oliver B. Pierce, and had on board John W. Birge, of 
Cazenovia, Madison county, the reputed commander of the invading 
forces. Mr. Hiram Denio, who was personally acquainted with the 
former, was requested by the owners of the boat to go on board, and so- 
licit the peaceable surrender of I he property, which, after some consult- 
ation, was done, and the parties who had taken possession, withdrew 
from it. 

During the last trip which the steamer made, it was particularly ob- 
served that but a small part of those who went over returned. The 
others were, it is said, landed at or near the wind mill. 

Mr. Nathaniel Garrow, of Auburn, the U. S. marshal for the northern 
district of New York, arrived fi'om Sackett's Harbor between seven and 
eight o'clock on Monday evening, and between eight and nine made a 
formal seizure of the steamer United States. In the afternoon of Mon- 
day, the Paul Pry, a small steam ferry boat, went over to the stranded 
schooner, in charge of a company of the Patriots, and succeeded in haul- 
ing her off. Not long after being relieved, she passed down and took a 
position near the other schooner, and in performing this service en- 
countered a brisk fire from the steamer Experiment, which was returned 
with small arms. In the evening, she was also seized for a violation of 
the neutrality of the frontier. During the whole of Monday, there was 
frequent crossing of the river in small boats, and no attempt to prevent 
it was made or deemed practicable by the civil authorities. During the 
night, every thing remained quiet, and reports of cannon were heard at 
long intervals. 

The unusual and very exciting state of things, however, which were 
evidently preparing for some crisis, kept the public mind awake, and 
every one anxious to learn what 'there might be known of the nature and 
progress of the expedition, its force, its chances of success, and the pro- 
babilities that they would be sustained by the Canadian population, or 
be reinforced by recruits from the states. Rumors of every kind floated 
through the town, and a meeting was held to concert measures for de- 



664 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

fense, but such was the novel and perilous crisis that had arrived, that 
nothing was effected. Some of the citizens warmly sympathized with 
the movement, and ardently wished it success, while another part, em- 
bracing most of those of influence and property, looked upon the^ pro- 
ceedings as tending to nothing but ruin, and as calling upon the patriot- 
ism of every good citizen, to lend his aid in discouraging the prosecution 
of the enterprise, and in protecting the national honor and the interests 
of the village. Such, however, was the influence of the armed strangers 
in the streets, that this sentiment could scarcely be found to operate iu 
eflicient exertions. Monday night was spent by the patriots at the wind 
mill, and adjacent premises, in fortifying it as they might be able, under 
the direction of Von Schoultz, upon whom, in the absence of the supe- 
rior officers, devolved the defence of a position, which it has been strongly 
insinuated and firmly believed, those who had incited and encouraged 
them to it, had not the courage to share with them. 

It is difficult to estimate that moral baseness and utter depravity, that 
would, by the most solemn promises, engage to sustain the acts of others, 
and by means of these assurances, lead unsuspecting and inexperienced 
youths into a position in which utter ruin must inevitably await them, 
and having involved the destruction of their victims, meanly shrink from 
them. 

This remark is not intended as a justification of the conduct of those 
who occupied the wind mill, but as an illustration of the character of 
those who originated the expedition, and were most loud and confident 
in their declarations and assurances of its ultimate success. On the fol- 
lowing morning (November 13), the two schooners were seized at about 
ten o'clock, by the marshal. They at this time lay in the American 
waters, about thirty or forty rods from the pier or abutments of Creigh- 
ton's brewery. 

The Charlotte of Oswego, at the time of her seizure, had on her deck 
two or three cannon, one properly mounted on wheels, and the other two 
on small plank trucks. There were also on board, boxes and small 
casks, which contained guns and munitions of war. There were about 
half a dozen men, who were the captain (Sprague), and crew. The other 
vessel had on board some barrels of apples, but most of the munitions 
had been removed from her, and landed at the wind mill. Her captain 
(Quick), and three or four men, supposed to be her crew, were onboard. 
These were put in charge of Colonel W. J. Worth, of the 8th U. S. in- 
fantry, who had arrived in the steamer Telegraph on Monday evening, and 
subsequently sent to Sackett's Harbor for safe keeping. 

This steamer had visited the place on Satui-day, to bring Colonels Tot- 
ten and Thayer, of the engineer service, and was under the command of 
Capt. Hill, of the U. S. army. After the United States had been seized, 
her machinery was taken apart, so that she could not be used without 
the assent of the owners. The efforts of the military authorities were 
directed to the prevention of all further communication with the Patriots 
and the American shore, and the arrival of the troops afforded the first 
means that the authorities had possessed of enforcing the laws. The 
testimony that was taken in a case growing out of this affair, concurs in 
proving, that on Monday, the arm of the civil law was powerless, and 
that there did not exist the means of preventing the proceeding which 
ensued. Colonel Worth had under his command two companies of 
government troops. On Tuesday, the British armed steamers Coburg 
and Victoria, having arrived at Prescott with a reinforcement of troops, 
at about seven o'clock, they, together with the Experiment, opened a dis- 
charge of cannon, and commenced throwing bombs at the._Patriots 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 665 

in the wind mill, who fired with . field pieces fi-om their batteries 
on shore, in return. These exciting and novel proceedings, very na- 
turally drew a large crowd of spectators from Ogdensburgh and the ad- 
jacent country, to Mile point, the ])resent site of the rail road depot, and 
the most eligible point from which to observe the doings of the British, 
in their attempt to dislodge the Patriots. On Tuesday morning, a 
detachment of forty men of the 83d regiment, under Lieut. Johnson, and 
thirty marines under Lt Parker, wei-e landed and joined by detachments 
of militia. At a quarter before seven the British advanced in two col- 
umns. The left under Col. D. Fraser, consisting of the marines, Capt. 
G. McDonnel's company of L. G. Highlanders, Capts. Jones's and 
Eraser's companies of 2d regiment Grenville militia, and 100 men of 
Col. Martle's regiment of Stormont militia. The right column was led by 
Col. Gowan, of the Queen's borderers, and 100 of Capt. Martle's regiment. 
Soon after, a line of fire blazed along the summit of the hill, in the rear 
of the mill, for about eight)' or a hundred rods, and the report of small 
arms made an incessant roar. The morning being dark and lovi'ering, 
the gleam of the discharges became the more observable, and tended to 
heighten the horrors of the dramatic events that were transpiring. The 
Patriots were mostly protected by stone walls, and comparativelj' secure, 
while the British were fully exposed in the open field, and suffered greatly 
from the sharp shooters that were posted in tlie upper stories of the 
wind mill. The officers on horseback "were seen distinctly to fall, here 
and there, on the field, and the ranksof the soldiers to waste away under 
the unequal contest. The British did not, at that time, have at Prescott 
guns of sufficient weight to make a sensible impression upon the massive 
walls of the tower, and their shot rebounded from the surface without 
producing efiect. 

After twenty or thirty minutes one party gave way, and retired out of 
sight over the hill, and at about nine o'clock the firing had ceased, ap- 
parently leaving the Patriots in possession of their strong hold, but Avith- 
out the ability to pursue, or to return to the American shore, or to main- 
tain their present position for any great length of time, from want of 
provisions and munitions. At the time when the action commenced, the 
patriot forces are supposed to have numbered about one hundred and 
eightj', but during the engagement, a party consisting of fifty-two, who 
had pursued the retreating militia over the hill, were separated from 
their comrades, scattered, pursued and captured, in detail. The Patriot 
loss on this occasion, is said to have been five killed and thirteen 
wounded, while that of the British was said at the time, to have been 
about a hundred killed, and as many wounded. The official return of 
Colonel Young, gave two officers, and eleven rank and file killed, and 
sixty-seven wounded. It has been generally believed that their loss ex- 
ceeded this number. Finding that the strong hold of the Patriots re- 
sisted any means of impression which they possessed, the British re- 
solved to await the arrival of heavier cannon, and took precautions, 
meanwhile to prevent any reinforcement of the invaders. From nine 
till three there was but little excitement. An irregular firing was kept 
up on the windmill, and a body of regulars fired an occasional volley at 
a stone house, in which a portion of the Patriots were established. At 
three o'clock in the afternoon, a barn was burnt by the Patriots, as 
sheltering the British. During this time the Patriots occupied the wind 
mill, and several of the houses adjoining, and the brow of the hill. On 
the evening of the 13th, a requision was sent to Sackett's Harbor, for 
more troops, to be ready, if necessary, to assist those alread}' at Ogdens- 
burgh, in restraining any attempt at reinforcement. Lt. W. S. Johnson, 



666 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

of the British army, belonging to the 83d regiment, was among the 
killed. The dead and badly wounded, lay on the field till the morning 
of the 14th (Wednesday), when the British sent a flag of truce, for per- 
mission to bury the dead, and both parties were for a short time, en- 
gaged in collecting and carrying off from the field the slain. The night 
between the 13th and the 14th, was quiet, and the wind blew so rough 
that all attempt at crosing the river, had nothing else prevented, would 
have been hazardous. At half past nine, troops were again marched 
to Fort Wellington, but no engagement ensued. In the forenoon of 
Thursday, Colonel Worth sent for several of the prominent citizens of 
Ogdensburgh, to come on board the steamer, who accepted the invitation. 
His object in doing this was to ask their opinions and advice, on the pro- 
priety of a course which he proposed, of applying to Colonel Plomer 
Young, the Britisii commander, to ask of him the privilege of staying 
the further effusion of blood, by being allowed to remove the Patriots, 
and becoming responsible that they should attempt no fuither disturb- 
ance on this frontier. The humane intention of this measure, com- 
mended itself to the approbation of those to whom it was explained, 
and a citizen of high standing in the community, vi^ho was personally ac- 
quainted with Colonel Young, offered his services to procure an interview 
between Cols. Young and Worth, and accordingly visited Prescott, where 
he was politely received by the 13i-itish officer, who accompanied him 
back to the steamer, and a private interview was held between the 
two colonels. The delicacy of the measure proposed, and the obvious 
charges that would be brought against the official character of an offi- 
cer, who would consent to the escape of an enemy, who was entirely 
within his power, rendered a compliance with the request, a thing to be 
not for a moment entertained. He pointedly denied the favor asked, but 
from an intimation that was dropped, either from inadvertence, or de- 
sign, that the machinery of the Experiment, 'the Colburg and Victoria 
having gone up the river the night previous), needed repairs, that would 
prevent her being used until two o'clock the next morning, it was very 
naturally inferred, that no means of annoyance would be in the possess- 
ion of the British during the early part of the night. This opportunity 
Colonel Worth wished to have improved, and having consulted some of 
the citizens on the subject, it was undei'stood that eai-ly in the evening, 
the steamer-Paul Pi-y, should be at the service of a party of volunteers, 
who might safely approach the wind mill, and rescue the inmates, if they 
could be induced to improve the opportunity. This delicate and re- 
sponsible service, was entrusted to Mr. Preston King, the post master of 
the village, who was selected as possessing the requisite qualifications 
for the duty. 

A sufficient number of volunteers was i-aisedfor the occasion, and the 
steamer repaired to the vicinity of the .wind mill. Among the volun- 
teers was a man connected with the Patriots, who was said to be an offi- 
cer of their organization, and to know their pass words ; he was for 
these reasons, recommended as a suitable person to open the communi- 
cation with them, and was sent on shore in a small row boat, to com- 
municate the errand of the steamer, which as the shore was shoal, and 
there was no wharf, was compelled to lay off several rods from the 
shore to avoid grounding. 

By subsequent information, it was ascertained, that some person who 
went ashore in the first boat, reported that a reinforcement of men and 
supplies might soon be expected by the Patriots, and they were advised 
to maintain their position. 

After waiting a considerable time for a return from the row boat sen 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 667 

ashore, a small boat rowed by two men, brought to the steamer a 
wounded man from the wind mill, from Avhom and his companions, 
those remaining on board the steamer first heard of the report of rein- 
forcements that had been made on shore. Mr. King then took a small 
boat, with one man, and repaired himself to the wind mill, made known 
the nature of his errand, stated the folly of looking for reinforcements 
which there was no reason to expect, and earnestly requested them to 
avail themselves of the only chance of escape that would be offered. 

The delusive hope and divided councils arising from the I'eport of i-e- 
inforcements, produced delay and uncertainity in the movements of the 
Patriots to avail themselves of the opportunity to retire from their posi- 
tion. The men on board the steamer became impatient at the delay, 
and insisted upon the return of the steamer to Ogdensburgh. Mr. King 
was thus reluctantly compelled to return, without having accomplished 
his purpose, further than to bring off six or seven men from the mill, 
one of whom had been wounded in the thigh by a musket ball. He 
had scarce returned to port, when the British armed steamer was seen 
going down the river, and all chance of passing between the American 
shore, and the mill was cut off. The persons first sent on shore to com- 
municate with the Patriots did not i-eturn to the steamer, but were left, 
and returned to the American shore in their row boat. 

During the time the Paul Pry lay near the wind mill, firing along the 
line by the British piquet guards was kept up by musketry, which ren- 
dered the men on board the steamer impatient of inaction and delay. 
Had it not been for the false expectation of reinforcements, it is believed 
the patriots might at once have availed themselves of the opportunity 
offered for escape, and the sad events which subsequently followed, 
have been avoided. 

On Thursday evening, the steamer United States (Captain Van Cleve), 
'ii! charge of Captain Vaughan, sailing master of the navy, with a party of 
troops under Captain Wright, started for Sackett's Harbor, having along 
side in tow, the two patriot schooners, and manned by a company of 
United States troops. The schooners had on their' decks, the cannon 
w!iich had formed a part of their armament. Apprehending that they 
-'OiOdmeet a British force, expected from Kingston, to complete the 
re of the wind mill, and believing it to be prudent to be provided 
:rt any emergency that might arise, Capt. Wright had caused the 
' ; i-vTr to be loaded, and the military to be held in readiness. When 
tl: - . d arrived at a point just above Oak point, they met the British 
stei luoj' Brockville, having two gun boats in tow. The United States 
vas hailed, and ordered to "lie to and send a boat aboard." 

Tlie peremptory and insulting tone in which this was expressed, for- 
. ido compliance on the part of the officer, who had the flotilla in charge, 
aid the re}'ly was made, that they might " come aboard." The demand 
\\'as agiiu repeated, and answered with a coolness and pointedly laconic 
brevity, tluu did the highest credit to the courage and ability of Captain 
Wright. The parties having passed, the British steamer turned and fol- 
lowed for some distance, but no further notice being taken of her by the 
United St utes, the pursuer shortly resumed her original course. 

Oil the I'lorning of the 16th (Friday), the British having been rein- 
force ' witi- a regiment of four hundred regulars, and by gun boats 
armec with ordnance sufficient for the reduction of the place, set them- 
selves at wo.-k systematically, for this purpose. An eighteen pounder 
was posted back of the mill, under Major McBane; a gun boat was 
posted b' low the mill, and a heavily armed steamer above it, so that the 
shot fron ihf;se three points might not interfere -with each other, and 



668 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

still have the mill in their focus. They were beyond the range of rifle 
shot, and sufficient to accomplish ere long the demolition of the tower. 
During the whole of Thursday, a white flag had been displayed from 
the mill, but no attention being paid to it, it was finally fastened on the 
outside. Three or four flags were sent out, and the bearers shot down, 
as soon as seen, as the British appeared to be inclined to receive no 
terms. At length on Friday, in the forenoon, the firing ceased, and an 
unconditional surrender being made, the prisoners, (for as such they were 
received, and regarded,) were marched out between files of regulars, 
and conducted to Fort Wellington, from whence they were sent to 
Fort William Henry, at Kingston, for trial. Had it not been for the 
interposition of the regulars, the prisoners would have been torn in 
pieces by the enraged militia, who exhibited a vindictiveness and ani- 
mosity, that has scarcely found a parallel in the annals of French and 
Iiidian warfare. Every species of abuse and insult was heaped upon 
the unfortunate band. During the firing that ensued in celebrating the 
surrender. Captain Drummond, of the British army, was accidentally 
shot. The British burnt, at once, four dwellings and two barns, in the 
vicinity of the wind mill. Von Schoultz was said to be opposed to of- 
fering the enemy a flag of truce, and besought his men to rush upon the 
enemy, and die in the contest, but their ammunition and provisions were 
exhausted, and the fatigue of five days and nights incessant watching 
and labor, had made them indifferent to their fate. 

British official return of killed and wounded in action with the Brigands, 
near Prescott, on the 13th JVovember, 1838. 

Killed. — 83d regiment, 1 lieutenant. L. Glengary Highlanders, 4 rank 
and file. 2d regiment, Dundas militia, 4 rank and file. 1st regiment, 
Grenville militia, 2 rank and file. 2d regiment, Grenville militia, 1 lieu- 
tenant. Captain Edmondson's Brockville Independent company, 1 rank 
and file. Total, 2 lieutenants, 11 rank and file. 

Wounded — 83d regiment, 4 rank and file. Royal marines, 1 lieutenant, 
14 rank and file. L. Glengary Highlanders, 1 ensign, 7 rank and file. 
9th provincial battalion, 1 lieutenant colonel, S rank and file. 2d regi- 
ment. Dundas militia, 1 lieutenant, 12 rank and file. 1st regiment, Gren- 
ville militia, 4 rank and file. Capt. Edmondson's Brockville Independent 
company, 3 rank and file. Captain Jessup's Prescott Independent co»n- 
pany, 1 sergeant, 4 rank and file. Gentlemen Volunteers, 2 rank and file. 
Total, 1 lieutenant colonel, 2 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 1 sergeant, 62 rank 
and file. 

JVames of Officers killed. — W. S, Johnson, lieutenant 83d regiment; 
Dulmage, lieutenant 1st regiment Grenville militia. 

Wounded. — Ogle R. Gowan, lieutenant colonel 9th provincial battalion, 
slightly; Parker, Royal marines, slightly; PardoW, lieu- 
tenant 2d regiment Dundas militia, severely; Angus MacDonnell, ensign 
L. G. Highlanders, slightly. 

P. Young. 

The board of supervisors were in sessions at Canton at the time, and 
the cannonade of the battle was distinctly heard at t^iat jjlace- Some of 
the board were warm sympathizers in the movement, and the following 
resolutions which were brought forward for action repeatedly? but failed 
to pass, shows the strong feeling that was entertained in rfjlation to the 
patriot war, and may be regarded as a curiosity worthy of record. 

The resolution of Isaac Ell wood is called up in the words following. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 669 

« 

to wit: - Whereas the members of the board of supervisors of St. Law- 
rence county, having received information and believing the same to be 
authentic, that the patriots have made a noble stand at Windmill point, 
near Prescott, in Upper Canada, and have had a severe engagement with 
the advocates and minions of Britj^i tyranny and oppression on the 
13th inst. and having every reason to believe from said information, 
unless the said patriots are reinforced in the perilous situation in which 
they are ])laced, that they will meet with defeat, and sacrifice their lives 
in contending against a merciless and cruel foe: and whereas, this board 
feel a deep interest and intense anxiety in the success of that patriotic 
struggle which would spread the light of liberty ever our oppressed 
brethren in Canada, and for the preservation of the lives of those 
patriots who are contending for the rights of men born free, and for the 
republican principles for which our venerable forefathers shed their 
blood. 

Resolved, that this board adjourn, to meet again at the court house in 
the said county, on the last 3Ionday of the present mouth, at 1 o'clock, 
p. M., in order to enable the members thereof to rescue that Spartan 
band of patriotic friends, and preserve their lives from the hands of their 
enemies, the tj'rants and advocates of the British crown. On motion by 
Mr. Buck, seconded by 31r. Doty: — Resolved tliat the above resolution 
lie on the table until the same shall be again drawn up." The resolution 
was never called up from the table. 

Bill Johnston, the avowed leader of the gang that boarded and burned 
the Robert Peel, had been seen publicly in the streets of Ogdensburgh 
for several days, and no one ventured to an-est him, until on the 17th, 
shorth'^ after the surrender of the band in the windmill, he was seen to 
enter a boat with his son, and leave the harbor; the collector of the dis- 
trict, seeing him depart, called the attention of a deputy marshall to his 
movements, and advised that an attempt should be made to arrest him. 
Failing in this, he entered a boat belonging to the ofBce, hoisted thf 
revenue flag, and pursued him, in company with several others. John- 
ston and his son landed about three miles above the village, was pursued, 
headed, and finally induced to surrender, on condition that his arms 
might be received by his son. He was armed with a Cochran rifle, (with 
twelve discharges) and two large rifle pistols, with several smaller ones 
and a bowie knife. The merit of arresting Johnston has been claimed 
by different parties, and the bounty offered for his apprehension is said 
to have been paid to C. T. Buswell and A. B. James, who pursued on 
horseback as soon as he had lauded, and were present when he smren- 
dered his arms. The steamer Oneida, in the service of the United 
States government, and having on board a detachment of troops, was in 
the river when the boat in which Johnston and his son were escaping, 
was run on shore. The officers in charge of the steamer immediately 
steered towards the point where the boats landed, to afford any assist- 
ance that might be found necessary, and the captured party was convey- 
ed on board the steamer, and taken to Sacketts Harbor. 

On the Monday after the capture, the Hon. John Fine, in company 
with Charles G. Myers, consented at the solicitation of some of the 
friends of the prisoners to visit Kingston to carry a contribution of se- 
veral hundred dollars to supply their wants, make inquiries into thei* 
condition, and offer legal council. The season of travel being passed 
and there being no direct communication with Kingston, they wrote to 
Colonel Worth at Sacketts Harbor, asking if he could be sent over from 
thence, aud furnished with a letter to the commanding officer at Kings- 
40 



670 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

* 

ton, both of these requests were declined. They then crossed the river 
to Prescott, to confer with Major Young, and on being escorted from 
the wharf to his quarters by a sentinel, they were kindly received, and 
furnished with a note of introduction to Colonel Dundas, at Kingston. 
A citizen of Prescott gave the use 9 a small steamer, without charge. 
At the hotels in Kingston, they found several Americans from Oswego, 
Salina, &c,, on a similar errand, who stated that they had been there 
some time endeavoring to get access to the rooms of the prisoners but 
the sheriff had denied every application which had been made for this 
purpose. The next morning, they called upon Colonel Dundas, who 
stated that he had delivered the prisoners to the care of the sheriff, and 
that application must be made to him. He was told that the sheriff had 
positively i-efused, under any circumstances, any interview under orders 
from the governor, to several similar applicatiouB. They then added as a 
last resort, that being both lawyers they had some right to serve the 
prisoners in the capacity of legal counsellors, having been employed by 
their friends for that purpose. It was the boast of the English law which 
the Americans had inherited from the mother country, that every one 
was presumed innocent of a crime until proved to be guilty, and that 
the prisoners had a rig-ht to legal advice in this case, and the privilege of 
obtaining witnesses lor their defense. Upon this the colonel arose and 
accompanied them to the fort, introduced them to the sheriff and re- 
quested that they might be permitted to see the prisoners. The sheriff 
said that the governor had sent orders that no one be permitted to visit 
them, but the colonel said that he would risk the responsibility, and 
requested the keys, which were given him. Several military officers 
were introduced and joined in the visit to the different rooms. These 
Avere above ground, large, cleanly, and contained about fifty prisoners 
each. Inquiry was made of those from St. Lawrence county, of their 
want of clothing, &c., which was afterwards procured and sent to 
them.* They said that they were furnished with good and sufficient 
food and were well treated. In one room was a company of about fifty 
boys under twenty-one years of age, and some as young as sixteen. 
Several of them alluded to the late events and the causes which had in- 
duced them to engage in the foolish enterprise, with sobbing and 
tears. Several of the officers present were much affected and proposed 
to leave. The Ogdensburgh citizens remarked to the boys, that there 
was hope in their case. The power of England was not so feeble 
as to fear the loss of Canada by the hands of boys, and the glory of 
England would not be enhanced by their sacrifice. 

They were advised to plead their infancy, and throw themselves upon 
the mercy of the government. The court martial was organized and 
one of the prisoners was on trial. Solicitor General Draper, con- 
ducted the examination of the prisoners with fairness. He allowed the 
accused the opportunity to state all the extenuating circumstances which 
he wrote down, and said he would send to the governor. In the even- 
ing an interview was had with Mr. Draper, at the rooms of the council, 
and at the suggestion of some o^f the citizens, an application /Was made 
to the governor general of Canada, through the medium of Judge Jones 
of the Queen's Bench, for the pardon of the boys. An answer was re- 
turned, that if the friends of the boys would exert their influence to 
prevent further aggressions, they should be released, and as an earnest 
of the performance of this promise, six were set free. From time to 

• One of these boys on being questioned as t6 his wanlg. solicited some candy. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 671 

time others were liberated until most of those under age were allowed 
to return to their friends. 

The issue of this expedition, did much to render the Patriot cause 
unpopular, and a health'y reaction was soon felt along the frontier, but a 
spirit of jealousy and hostility ha^ been engendered that led to much 
difficulty. On the 21st of Dec, the village trustees resolved to organize 
a company, to be held ready at a minute's warning to act in preserving 
order, and repell if necessary any aggression. Arras were to be procured 
for tliem from Russell. On the last day of Dec, a crowded meeting was 
held to unite in a petition to Congress for protection of the frontier and 
intervantion in favor of the prisoners. In support of the latter, they 
asserted for our government an equal merit in the capture, inasmuch as 
the Patriots had been cut off from their supplies by the official seizure 
of the schooners and armament. A becoming tribute was paid to the 
valor and courage of the misguided youths who had been seduced into 
the measure. On the 2d of Jan., 1839, another public meeting was 
held to discourage all further invasion of Canada. The call for this was 
signed by nearly seventy prominent citizens of all parties, and it was 
addressed by several of the inhabitants and by Major General Winfield 
Scott, in a very able manner. In his address. Gen. Scott, after conceding 
that a feeling favorable to Canadian independence pervaded the country, 
went on to enquire what act of that people had evinced their desire for 
a change, and pointed out in a masterly manner the folly of attempting 
to force upon them a measure which their acts proved that they did not 
desire. A series of resolutions was passed embodying the sentiment of 
the considerate of all parties, and appealing to all good citizens to aid in 
putting an end to these proceedings so destructive of the public peace 
and so perilous to our national welfare. 

As the steam boat United States, Capt. Whitney, was leaving Ogdens- 
burgh on the evening of April 14, 1839, with a larffe number of passen- 
gers, from 6 to 10 rounds of musket shot were fired from a wharf in Pres- 
cott, at which a crowd was assembled, but a subsequent inquiry failed to 
fix upon any one as the culprit, and the same evening she was fired upon 
from the wharf at Brockville. These insulting measures were greatly 

aggravated by a high handed outrage upon the schooner G. S. Weeks, 

Turner, master, on Friday, May 17, 1839, at Brockville, where she had 
stopped to discharge some merchandise. The usual papers were sent to 
the custom house, and a permit to unload was issued by the deputy col- 
lector. There was lying on deck a six pound iron cannon belonging to 
the state, consigned to Capt. A. B. James, to replace the one that had 
been seized by the Patriots, upon discovering which an attempt was made 
to seize it, but was resisted by the crew until the collector of the district 
cjime up and took possession of the vessel under some alleged iri-egu- 
larity of her papers. The gun was then taken by the mob, who paraded 
the streets with it and fired it I'epeatedly. Word was immediately sent to 
Col. Worth, at Sacketts Harbor, who repaired without delay to the place 
in the steamer Oneida, and sent a res|>ectful inquiry to learn on what 
grounds the schooner was detained. To this the deputy could give no 
direct answer, and, but from what he could learn, Col. Worth inferred that 
the seizure was without justification, and resolved to vindicate our na- 
tional honor in recovei'ing the cannon that had been taken from it. On 
Saturday evening he repaired to Prescott, and peremptorily demanded of 
Col. Frasier, a release of the vessel and her cargo, to which at 10 o'clock 
the next day answer was given that the vessel au^ cargo should be re- 
leased, but doubts were expressed whether the cannon could be got 
from the mob. To be prepared with an intelligent and prudent witness 



672 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

in case the necessity for extreme measures should arise, the Colonel in- 
vited Mr. Bishop Perkins, a legal gentleman of high standing in his pro- 
fession to accompany him to Brockville. He had on board a company of 
about 100 i-p.gulars, who were well supplied with a double number of 
muskets and ammunition sufficient for the occasion. The steamers took 
up a position alongside tiie schooner, and a demand for die restoration of 
the gun was sent. The wharves and block house were densely crowded 
witii an excited and furious mob, many of whom were armed, and ail of 
them partaking of the excitement which the occasion called forth. The 
civil authorities endeavored to procure the restoration of the piece, but 
found themselves incapable of persuading or compelling the rabble to 
surrender it quietly. Had any of the crowd on shore in the exitement of 
the moment fired upon the steamer, there is little reason to doubt but 
that the fire would have been promptly returned by the regulars on board 
the Oneida, and the effect upon the crowded masses upon the wharves 
must have been signally fatal. Matters thus remained several hours, 
during which a collision was momentarily expected. At 4 p. m., a steamer 
from Kingston, with British regulars arrived, which had been sent for by 
the magistrates of the town, with the aid of which several of the ring 
leaders of the mob were arrested and lodged in the guardhouse. Having 
waited sufficiently long. Col. Worth notified the authorities for the last time 
that the cannon must be instantly returned, which was done with the 
utmost haste, and the prize was released. Col. Worth expressed the 
opinion that the civil magistrates evinced commendable zeal in their ef- 
forts to restore order and'recover the cannon, but the utmost insolence 
was shown by the i-abble towards the bearers of messages from Colonel 
Worth. The tidings of this event brought his excellency Governor Sir 
George Arthur, to Brockville, where he was presented an address signed 
by 266 persons, as an attempted justification for the recent outrage. They 
protested against the manner in which the gun had been given up at the 
demand enforced by the presence of an armed steamer in their harbor, 
and declared that they submitted only through the improper interference 
of some of his excellency's promineni and courageous officials in civil 
authority. In his reply the governor admitted that the seizure was illegal, 
and regretted that greater caution had not been exei-cised before that act. 
The step once taken he regretted that the seizure was abandoned without 
due authority, and mop especially under the circumstances, although be 
admitted that some magistrates had acted with honest zeal and from a 
sense of public duty to advise the measure. He declared the seizure and 
firing of the cannon after it had been taken by the revenue officer, was a 
lawless proceeding, and regretted that pei-sonal abuse had been ofifered 
to the foreign officers who had entered the country on public duty. It is 
due to the Canadian press and the more considerate portion of the in- 
habitants, that they mostly denounced the seizure as wholly unjustified. 
The collector of Brockville was removed from office by Governor 
Arthur. 

On Tuesday, June 25, 1839, a party from Prescott attempted to abduct 
a deserter from Ogdensburgh, but their plans being discovered, the gang 
was surrounded by a large concourse of people, covered with tar, and 
marched back to their boat under an armed guard.. The leader of the 
gang was said to have committed suicide the next day. The British 
steamers commenced touching at Ogdensburgh in thelatter part of June, 
and were well received. It was hoped that a renewal of friendly inter- 
course would do much to allay the animosity existing between the border 
inhabitants of the two nations. 

As the American steam packet St. Lawrence, was passing down on her 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 673 

regular trip on the 4th of August, 3839, she was fired upon by an armed 
British schooner lying in the stream opposite Brockville. The particulars 
of this infamous outrage committed not by a lawless rabble, but by a 
government vessel, became the subject of a correspondence between the 
officers of the two governments in command of the naval and military 
forces along the frontier, a copy of which is before us. It appears that 
the steamer having numbers of passengers of both sexes was passing at 
about 5 p. M., when on approaching Her Majesty's armed schooner Mont- 
real, she was hailed and ordered to show her colors, which being disre- 
garded, several musket balls were fired by order of W. N. Fowell, com- 
mander. This being communicated to Col. Worth, an explanation was 
demanded, and the act was feebly attetapted tobejustifiedouthe ground 
, that they were ah-aid the steamer contained Patriots, that they wanted to 
know to what nation it belonged, &c. &c. These frivolous excuses, 
some of v^'hich would have been applicable on the high seas, when ap- 
plied to the St. Lawrence, became extremely ridiculous. 

On the 10th of August, 1840, Gen. Scott arrived at Ogdensburgh, in the 
Telegraph steamer, then in the service of government. He was on his 
way to Plattsburgh. 

The continuance of secret lodges for the agitation of the Patriot ques- 
tion, led President Tyler to issue a proclamation September 5, 1841, call- 
ing upon all good citizens to discountenance them as tending to evil con 
sequences. 

The following is a list, as nearly as could be procured, of the prisoners taken 
at the ivind mill, and tried at Kingston. 

The following notes and abbreviations are used: g., plead guilty; n. g., 
plead not guilty; t, transported to Van Dieman's Land; h., hung at Fort 
Henry; a., acquitted; tv., wounded in the battle; r., released without 
trial ; p., pardoned. Numerals denote the ages of prisoners. All, except 
those in italics, were sentenced to be hung. q 

Dorephus Abbey, 47 (Watertown), n. g-., ^. Dec. 12; Philip Alger, 23 
(Bents, N. Y.), iv. r.; Charles Allen, p.; David Allen, 24 (Volney), t ; 
Duncan Anderson, 48 (Livingston co,), h. Jan. 4; Oliver Auhre (L. C.), w. 
r.; Samuel Austin (Alexandria, N. Y.),^.; Thomas Baker (Winder, N. 
Y.), t; Hiram W. Barlow, 19 (St. L. co.), p.; Rouse Bennett, 17 (Herk. 
CO.), p.; Ernest Berentz (Poland, Europe),;?.; John Berry, 40 (Columbia 
CO.), f.; Orlin Blodget, 23 [Je&. co.), g.t; Geo. Bloudeau, 19 (Canada), 
p.; John Bradley, 30 (Ireland), t; John A. Brewster (Henderson, N. Y.), 
p.; Chas. S. Brown (Oswego co.), p.; Geo. T. Brown, 23 (Le Ray, N. 
Y.), n. g., t. ; Bromley (died of wounds in hospital) ; Christopher Buckley 
(Onondaga co.), h. Jan. 4; Chauncey Bugbee, 22 (Jeff, co.), f. ; Hugh 
Calhoun (Ireland), t.; Paschal Cerventes (Vt.), p.; Levi Chipman, r. July 
29; Truman Chipman, p.; Cidver S. Clark, 19 (F. co.), p.; Eli Clark, 
(Oswego CO.);?. on account of age and infirmities; Robt. G. Collins, 34 
(Og'h), t.; Philip Condrat (Germany), p.; Hiram Coultman, 19 (Jeff, co.), 
IV. r.; Peter Cranker, 19 (Jeff, co.), p.; John Cronkheit (Otsego co.), t; 
Chas. Grossman (Jeff, co.), p.; Jas. Cummings (Canada), r. on account of 
insanity ; Lysander Curtis, 33 (Og'h), w., t. (died in V. D.'s Land) ; Luther 
Darby, f.; Leonard Delino, 25 (Jeff. co.),t.; Wm. Denio, 18 (Le Ray), 
g.p.; Joseph Dodge (Mont, co.), p.; Aaron Dresser, Jr., 22 (Alexandria, 
N. Y.), t. (released in 1843); Joseph Drummond (Oswego co.), p. ; David' 
Dufeld, 22 (U. C.);?.; Moses A. Dutcher (Dexter, N.Y.),t; John Elmore 
(Jeff. CO.), p. ; Shelah Evans, 35 (Jeff, co.), r. ; Ebon Fellovps,g-., t. ; David 
Field [Gvaxihy, N. Y.); Lorenzo F. Finney, 21 (Watertown) lo.; Michael 
Friar, 23, t; Francis Gagnion, 18 (Canada), p.; Emanuel Garrison (Vt.) . 



674 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

t.; Wm. Gates (Lyme, N. Y.) t. ; Daniel George (Lyme), h. Dec. 12 (pay- 
master); John Gilman, t; Cornelius Goodrich, (Salina, N. Y.), p. 7 y'rs 
penitentiary; Gideon A. Goodrich (Mass.) t. ; Price Gonifl, 21 (JefF. co.), 
p. ; John Graves (Plattsburgh), r ? Jerry Griggs (Ct.), t.; Nelson J. Griggs 
(Onon, CO.) t; Hiram Hall, 15 (Jeff, co.), 7 y'rs pen'ry, p,; Jacques Herod 
[France), IV., r. ; Garret Hipks, 27 (JefF. co.), f. ; Edward Holmes (Syra- 
cuse), jo.; Chas. Hovey (Lyme), p.; David Houth, 24, f. ; Daniel D. Hns- 
tace, 27 (Watertovvn), f.; Jas. Ingles (Scotland), t; Henry Jantzen, 29 
(Ger,), p. ; John M. Jones (Phil., N. Y.), p. ; Geo. H. Kemble, 18 (Brown- 
ville), 10., p.; John O. Koinski (Cracow, Poland), p.; Hiram Kinney, 20 
(Onon.), p. ; Oliver Lanton (Alb.), p. ; Sylvester A. Lanton, 23 (Lyme), h. 
Jan. 4.; Andrew Leeper, 42 (JefF. co.), t.; Joseph Lee, 21 (Oswego), p.; 
Joseph Lefort, 19 (Cape Vincent), t.; Lyman N. Lewis, n.g.; Daniel 
Liscomb (Lyme), t; Samuel Livingston (Lisbon, N. Y.), r.; Hiram Loop, 
26 (Oswego CO.) n. g., t; Foster Martin (Ox Bow), t; J. II. Martin, /.; 
Calvin Mathers (Salina), t; Chauncey Mathers, 24 (Onon. co.), t; Fred'k 
Meals, 21 (serv't of Von Schaltz, iv., died of wounds); Jllonzo Mignoteth, 
r? Phares Miller (Watertown), p.; Justus Meriam, 17 (S. H.), r.; John 
Marriset, 26 (Canada), w.,i.; Andrew Moore, 26 (Malta, N. Y.),rv.,t.; 
Peter Meyer (Syracuse), r.,- Sebastian Meyer, 21 (Bavarian),/).; Joseph 
JVorris, a.; Wm. OPJVeil, 38 (Alex.), n. g., a.; Alson Owen, 24 (Oswego), 
t. (died in V. D.'s Land); Jacob Paddo'.h. 17 (JefF. co.), t; Joel Peeler, 50, 
n.g., /^.,Dec.22; Lawton S. Peck, 20 (J. fF. co.);>.; Ethel Penny, 18(JefF. 
CO.), p.; Russell Phelps (Watertown), h Jan. 4; Jas. Pierce (Oneida co.), 
t. ; Ira Polly (JefF. co.), t. ; Lorenzo Phinmy, iv., r. ; D. S. Powers, (Brown- 
ville); Gains Pouxrs, v.; Asa Priest, 43 (Auburn), w., t. (died in V. D.'s 
Land); Jacob Putnam, 19 (M. co.), p.; Levi Putnam, 21 (do), p.; Timo- 
thy P. Ransom, 21 (Alex.), p.; Solomon Reynolds (Salina), f.; William 
Reynolds (Orleans), t.; J. B. Razeau (L. C.), r., very young; Asa H. 
Richardson, 23 (Oswego), f.; Andrew Richardson (Rossie), p. ; Lawrence 
Riley, 43 (Vt.); Edgar Rogers; Orson Rogers, 23 (JefF. co.), ?•. ; Hiram 
Sharp (Onten. CO.), t ; Heriry Shaw, t.; Truman Shipman (Morristown); 
Andrew Smith, 21, p.; Chas. Smith (Lyme), p.; Owen W. Smith, 26 
(Watertown), t.; Price Senter, 18 (Ohio},n.g., p.; Jas. L. Snow, 21 (Os. 
CO.), r. ;' Wm. Stebbins, 18 (JefF co.), p. ; Joseph Stewart, 25 (Mifflin co., 
Pa.), i.; Tho's Stockton, 26 (Felt's Mills), t.; John G. Swanberg (Alex., 
N. Y.), t.; Dennis Suete (do.), n. g., t.; Sylvanus Sweet, 21, g., h. Dec. 
22; Giles Thomas, 34 (Onon. co.), iv., r.; John Thomas, 26 (Madrid, N. 
Y.), t; John Thompson (Eng.), p. ; Abner Townsend, 17 (Jeff, co.), g. 
p.; Nelson Truax, 20 (Antwerp); Oliver Tucker, 17, n.g., p.; Geo. Van 
Ambler, 17 (Jeff, co,), p.; Cha's Van Warner, 21 (Ellisburgh), p.; Mar- 
tin Van Slyke (Watertown), a.; Hunter C. Vaughan, 19 (S. Har.), p (from 
intercession of father) ; Nils Szoltereky Von Schoultz (general), ^g-., h. 
Dec. 18; Joseph Wagner (Salina), p.; Saul Washburn (Warren co.), t; 
Simeon H. Webster, p. ; James M. WTieelock, 22 (Jeff, co.), w. ; Patrick 
White,.22 (Irish), t; Riley Whitney {Yt.),t.; Nathan Whitney (Ct.), t.; 
Hosea C. Wilkie (Orleans, N. Y.), p.; Cha's Wilson, p.; Edward A. 
Wilson, 23 (Pompey), f.; Sampson Wiley (Watertown),^.; Cha's Wood- 
ruff, 19 (Salina), g-., p.; Martin Woodruff, 24 (Onon. co.), h. Dec. 19; 
Beman Woodbury, 24 (Cayuga co.),tv., t; Wm. Woolcot,20 (M. co.),m>., 
p.; Stephen S. Wright, 25 (Denmark), t., released 1843. 

All of those who were transported were after several years pardoned, 
and most have since returned. While detained in the penal colonies, 
they suffered incredible hardships, and numbers of them died. Those 
who survived, mostly came back with impaired constitutions from pri- 
vations, and the hard labor to which they had been subjected. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 675 



CHAPTER XI. 




GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, METEOROLOGY, &c. 

^E have extended the foregoing chapters, so that the present 
must be necessarily concise From the map, opposite page 
467, it will be seen that the southern part of these counties is 
underlaid by priman/ rock, as the oldest, formed of rocky 
masses, are designated by geologists. It is made up of a mixture of 
simple minerals, which often show in the structure and mode of ar- 
rangement, that they have been at some period subjected to the ac- 
tion of heat. The constituents of these primitive rocks, are generally 
quartz, hornblende, and feldspar, arranged in irregulai* and often very 
tortuous strata or layers, which are generally highly inclined. This pecu- 
liar mixture and arrangement of simple minerals is denominated gneiss 
rock. When stratification is wanting, it becomes sienite, and when mica 
takes the place of hornblende it is called granite. A great variety of 
minerals occur in gneiss rock in certain localities, and it is a valuable re- 
pository of lead and iron ores. In some places simple minerals occur in 
large quantities, to the exclusion of everything else, as serpentine, lime- 
stone, &c., which of themselves often become rock formations. The 
boundaries of the gneiss rock are very nearly as follows. They consti- 
tute the Thousand islands, the last of which lie before Morristown, 
although both shores of the St. Lawrence are here composed of newer 
rock. A narrow strip of this rock extends from Chippewa bay, up the 
valley of the creek of that name, two or three miles, being bounded on 
each side by a formation, which geologists have named Potsdam sand- 
stone, of which a further account will be given hereafter. The gneiss 
rock next enters the county from Jefferson, near the line of the military 
road in Hammond, and its northern margin runs nearly in a direct line 
to Blaek lake, and forms all the islands in that water, although the north 
shore is sandstone. It leaves the lake in Depeyster, and runs across that 
town, De Kalb and Canton, leaving the most of these towns underlaid 
\f^ gneiss, and passes across a small part of Potsdam into Parishville 
and the southern part of the settlements in Hopkinton, and thence 
through township No. 7, 8, and 9, of Franklin county, and the northern 
edge of Bellmont. With small exceptions to be mentioned, near Somer- 
ville, the whole of the country south of this line is primary, and to this 
region metalic ores, except bog ores, must be necessarily limited. At 
the village of Potsdam, the same rock comes up to the surface, like an 
island in the midst of sandstone, and at other places, the same thing is 
observed. However irregular the strata of gneiss may be, they will gen- 
erally be found to dip, or slope down towards the noi-th, which explains 
a remark made by Mr. Wright in his early surveys, that the mountains 
[like all in the southern forest] afford very good land on the north side, 
and gradually descending, but on the south side have high perpendicular 
ledges." 



676 



HISTORY OP ST LAWRENCE 



The extensive forest of northern New York, is underlaid entirely by pri- 
mary rock, which seems to have heen thrust up through newer formations, 
that surround it. In some places, the latter are thrown into an inclined 
position hy this intruded mass. Gneiss rock has but few useful applica- 
tions. In early times (and still for coarse grindinoj), it was used for 
millstones, and in some places it occurs suitable for building, but is gener- 
ally too hard to be wrought with profit. In the south part of Canton, a 
very fine grained and durable variety occurs, which has a uniform grey 
color and close texture, that recommends it where permanence is re- 
quired. Towards the western part of St. Lawrence county, white lime- 
stone is of connnou occurrence with this formation, and it has given 
rise to much discussion, whether the limestone be primitive and coeval 
with the gneiss, or whether it be a later deposite, altered by heat. As 
this inquiry would be out of place in this work it will be omitted. One 
fact is well established, viz: that the white limestone underlies the sand- 
stone, and many instances of this occur in Rossie, Antwerp, &c. In 
some cases there is a relative position between limestone and granite 
that strongly indicates the primitive character of the former, of which 
Prof. Emmons has figured, one near Hailesboro, which we give in 
figure 3, opposite page 684, in which a is limestone, and b granite. 
Another example is given below, in which a is a limestone, with a wavy 
structure, and b granite. This locality is in Lyndhurst, Canada. 




This limestone has been used to some extent as a marble, and mills 
for sawing it have existed in Rossie and Fowler, but its coarse crystalRie 
texture impairs its value, except for the more massive kinds of archi- 
tecture. For the manufacture of lime, however, there is probably no- 
where in the world a material that will surpass this. It is generally in 
this rock, or along the line of junction with the gneiss, that the more 
splendid varieties of minerals occur, that are so eagerly sought by col- 
lectors. Limestone is rare in the primary rock of Franklin county; it, 
however occurs in township No. 9. In agricultural capabilities, the soil 
underlaid by primary rock varies in quality, and seems to be in a mea- 
sure, dependent upon the prevalence of limestone, and the nature and 
amount of the loose drifted materials that overlie it. It has been gen- 
erally conceded by geologists, that these transported materials, which in 
many instances constitute the soil, and modify to a great degree its agri- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 677 

cultural capabilities, are derived from localities north of the place they 
now occupy. The northern border of the state, and for a great distance 
into Canada, is undei'laid by rocks of a more recent period, in which 
lime is an important ingredient, and these give character to the soil for 
a considerable distance south, which can scarcely be said to differ from 
that immediately above them. The surface of the primary, is generally 
more or less broken by ridges of rock, often rising but little above the 
surface. These ridges have a prevailing direction of n. e. and s. w., which 
gives to the rivers, tributary to the St. Lawrence, their general course, 
and occasions the remarkable flexures, so strikingly noticed in the Os- 
wegatehie and Indian rivers, which flow in natural valleys for a con- 
siderable distance between ridges of gneiss. Towards the southern 
borders of St. Lawrence county, the upheavals become of greater alti- 
tude, and as we go into the easteiii part of this, and soutiiern part of 
Franklin county, they attain the altitude of mountains, which in Essex, 
become the highest east of the Mississippi river. These bald and sterile 
peaks, support but a scanty vegetation, and overlook innumerable ponds 
and lakes, with fertile intervales; but thousands of acres will be found 
wholly unfit for tillage) and of no value beyond the timber on the sur- 
face, or the iron ores beneath it. These lands form an elevated plateau, 
liable to late spring and early autumnal frosts, but adapted to grazing, 
the uplands aflfording pasturage, and the intervales meadows. Of min- 
erals interesting to the collector it has none, but it abounds in iron ores, 
which will hereafter employ the industry of great numbers, as it unites 
the three essentials of ore, water power, and fuel, to which, in a great 
degree, has been added in the Northern Rail road, an access <o market. 
From an elevation of 1600 feet, the surface uniformly descends to the 
St. Lawrence, and in Franklin county, from the greater elevation, the 
descent is more perceptible, so that from almost any prominent jjoint, 
the lower country north may be overlooked to a great extent, and the 
majestic St. Lawrence reduced to a silver line in the blue distance, with the 
Canadian villages dotted here and there, and the obscure outline of 
northern mountains, faintly appearing on the horizon, give a peculiar 
beauty to the landscape. Lying directly upon the gneiss, or in some 
instances upon the limestone, is a rock which presents a great variety of 
structure, called by geologists, Potsdam sandstone, from its great abun- 
dance above that village, and its remarkable adaptation for building 
purposes which it there exhibits. 

Perhaps no material in the world will surpass in cheapness, elegance, 
and durability, the Potsdam sandstone, where it occurs in even-bedded 
strata, as in the towns of Potsdam, Canton, Stockholm, Malone, &c. 
The shai'pness of outline which it preserves in localities where it has 
been ex[)osed to the weather for centuries, indicate its durability, and 
being composed of neai'ly pure silex, occasionally tinged with iron, it 
affords none of the constituents which nourish parasitical mosses, 
Walls made of this stone never present the mouldy, decaying appear- 
ance, common to walls of limestone in damp situations. At the quar- 
ries of this stone in Potsdam and Malone, which at the latter place, has 
become a regular business for exportation, it cleaves into slabs, three or 
four inches thick, and several feet in length, and when first exposed to 
the air, it readily breaks when laid over a straight edge, with carefully 

* On the flight fof Sir John Johnson, mentioned on page 123, it is said, that as he passed 
down the Raquette, he noticed the Potsdam sandstone piled up in IjeauUful regularity Ijy na- 
ture with all the symmetry of art, along its banks, and predicted that a city would be built 
eome day in the vicinity of that stone. More than thirty years afterwards he enquired of one 
irom that place at Montreal, if any use had been made of that stone ledge. 



678 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

repeated blows of a stone hammer into pieces of any desirable length, 
or breadth with the greatest freedom. Exposure to the air hardens it in 
a little time, and it thenceforth is fitted for any purpose of paving, or the 
walls of buildings, for which uses it is unsurpassed. Walls laid with 
alternate courses of broad and narrow stone, present a very neat and 
substantial appearance. 

The sandstone enters Rossie from Jefferson county, between the Os- 
wegatchie and the iron mines, and runs across that town about two miles 
into Gouverneur. The first continuous mass of sandstone enters from 
Jefferson county in a bold escarpment, and forms a terrace overlaid by a 
soil of much fertility, and is generally quite level, except where accumu- 
lations of drifted materials occur, or valleys have been worn along the 
courses of existing streams. The south margin of this rock conforms to 
the course we have traced as the boundary of the gneiss, and it under- 
lies some of the most valuable farming lands of Northern New York. 
A feature will be observed in the district underlaid by the sandstone, 
which is quite general, and is due to the little liability to disintegration 
which it exhibits, namely: the absence of gentle swells and sloping de- 
clivities. Wherever valleys occur, their margins are usually bounded by 
abrupt precipices of naked rock, and where deep ravines have been 
wrought by running streams, as at the falls on the Chateaugay river, the 
banks present bold projecting and overhanging cliffs, with intervening 
spaces, where from frost or running streams portions have been thrown 
down or swept away, leaving detached and almost isolated masses stand- 
ing. In Hammond, instances occur in which outstanding masses of this 
rock, of the same height as the main body, but separated from it, often 
occurs. In texture, the sandstone differs greatly, being at times fine 
grained and uniformly stratified, as at all the quarries where it is wrought, 
and at times made up of angular or rounded masses of various sizes, ce- 
mented together, with little symmetry or appearance of stratification. It 
is among the last of these that several curious instances of structure 
exist, which indicate in themselves some of the causes that must have 
operated when the deposits were going on. Ripple marks are of com- 
mon occurrence, proving that they formed the shores of ancient feeas, by 
which the sands were thrown into slight undulating ridges, exactly as is 
seen on the borders of existing waters. In some places the rock is made 
up of balls, having a concentric structure like the coats of an onion, 
usually with a pebble as a nucleus, as if they had been formed by rolling 
over the surface, receiving an addition from the adhesion of sand, as we 
sometimes see snow balls rolled up by the wind on the surface of snow. 
In the vicinity of the iron mines of Rossie, this spheroidal structure is 
very common, and makes up the whole rock. They are of all sizes, from 
a pea to an orange. But perhaps there is no structure, either of this or 
of any rock, more worthy of study than the remarkable cylindrical strati- 
fication frequently observed in Rossie, Antwerp, Theresa, &c. These 
cylinders are vertical, and of all diametjprs, from two inches up to twenty 
feet or more, and their section where exposed to the surface, shows them 
to be made of concentric strata of sand of different colors' and degrees 
of fineness, firmly consolidated and capable of being detached, when 
they present to the casual observer the appearance of huge logs of wood, 
and has led to their being called " petrified logs." As the kind of rock 
in which they occur does not possess cleavage, it is seldom quarried, and 
opportunities have not been found to learn the depth to which they de- 
scend. From what the author has seen, he infers that they are some- 
what conical, and probably run out at no great depth. This sandstone 



AND FRANKMN COUNTIES. 679 

contains but few evidences of organic existence, these being limited to 
obscure fucoids and one or two bivalve shells. At times the ripple 
marks have been seen much like sea weeds in their arrangement, and the 
fracture and cleavage of the stone near Potsdam, has at times shown a 
moss like ramification, which may be due to manganese. The cylinders 
at times encroach upon each other, the last formed being perfect, while 
the older one has its stratification interrupted by the other. No rational 
theory has occurred to us by which this wonderful structure could be 
explained, than that they were formed by vortices or whirlpools playing upon 
the surface of ivater, and imparting their gyratory motions to the mobile sands 
of the bottom, ivhich gave the circular arrangement noticed, and which has 
since become consolidated and remains. 

The book of nature is ever open to give instruction, and may be read by 
all. In every department of the world around us, may be seen sufficient 
to call forth the admiration and fix the attention of the humble observer, 
who sees in the least and most casual occurrences, the operations of 
causes which may have operated at an exceedingly remote period, but 
which have written their history in characters more enduring than hu- 
man monuments. The fancy would become weary in traveling back 
through the long period that has elapsed, since the surface of the ancient 
oceati that once evidently overspread this country, may have ebbed and 
flowed, obedient then as now, to physical laws which change not. The 
winds played upon the surface, and sent their waves to ripple along the 
shores, and the tinny vortex, formed by conflicting currents, spun then as 
now, and recorded its history in the sands beneath ! 

The Potsdam sandstone is bordered along the St. Lawrence, and ex- 
tending back a few miles by the calciferous sandstone, which presents at 
many places near Ogdensburgh, definite fossil remains, which are how- 
ever limited to a few species. Among these are many obscure masses, 
with a texture that indicates them to have been sponges, or the lower 
orders of zoophytes, which have never been studied with the view of 
scientific interest. In an economical point of view this rock is of import- 
ance, both as a building stone and as material for lime, for which, how- 
ever, it is far inferior to the white limestone of the primary i^egion. At 
Massena and at Waddington, water lime has been manufactured from this 
rock, but this is not now done. The above enumerated form the princi- 
pal of our i^ck formations, but over them all, is more or less extensively 
and very unequally spread a mass of soil, sand, clay, and boulders of 
rock, much of which bears evidence of having been drifted by agencies 
that have long since ceased from more northern localities, and deposited 
in its present form. This has received the name of Drift, and its study 
forms one of the most instructive departments of practical geology. 
Evidences of its northern origin, may be found in our ability to often 
trace loose masses of rock to the parent source, and especially to the 
polished and scratched surface of rocks when exposed, which bear tes- 
timony to the fact that they have been ground and furrowed by moving 
masses, which the direction of the scratches certify was from a northerly 
quarter. The evidence of the grinding of solid bodies moving in water, 
is often observed along streams at the present day. Near Cooper's falls, 
in De Kalb. is a cavity of several feet in depth which has been worn in 
this way, but it is at a level far above the present river; and in the gneiss 
rock, near the Ox Bow, in the edge of Jefferson county, is another 
example, which occurs on the face of a cliff some seventy feet in height, 
and is of so remarkable a nature as to have attracted general curiosity. 
The following cut is borrowed from Prof. Emmons's report on the geology 



680 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



of the 2d district, and correctly represents the sliape of the clivity, but 
not the imposing lieiglit and grandeur of the chff. 




Pulpit rock, near Ox Boiv, Jefferson county. 

The pot shaped cavity is ahout 18 feet deep and 10 wide, at the largest 
part. It derives its name from its having been used as a pulpit on sev- 
eral occasions when the settlements were new. In one instance a Method- 
ist quarterly meeting is said to have been held at the foot of this rock. 

In De Kalb an instance is observed, in which the strata of sandstone 
have been pressed into waves, as is shown in fig. 3, facing page 704. 
This locality is mentioned by Prof Emmons, from whose report these 
drawings are derived, as 80 rods north of De Kalb village. At another 
locality the strata are broken up, as shown in fig. 1, opposite page 684, 
which proves that these masses h;ive been subjected to motion since 
formed and consolidated. Tortuous strata in the gneiss are extremely 
common, but nowhere can this be studied with better advantage than on 
the sutnmit of the hill towards Hammond, in the village of Rossie. 

Accumulations of drift are of common occurrence in Rossie, near 
Sprague's Corners, in Hermon, Pierrepont, Parishville and Hopkinton, 
&c. ; and across Franklin county, near the village of Malone, they are 
very conspicuous. These hills may be readily known by their smooth, 
rounded outline. In the above instances, no prevailing direction can be 
noticed, but nearer the St. Lawrence, especially in the lower part of St. 
Lawrence county, continuous ridges crossing the river obliquely, may be 
raced considerable distances. In some cases, the surface is thickly 
studded with boulders, which have been noticed in continuous trains for 
half a mile or more, and groups of these, usually of similar materials, are 
of constant occurrence. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 681 

There is above the drift still another formation, consisting of sandf 
and clays, and containing shells unchanged in texture, and of the species, 
now living in the Arctic seas, which skirts the northern border of the 
two countries, from Ogdensburgh eastward, to which, fi-om its extensive 
occurrence in the valley of the St. Lawrence, the term Lawentian de- 
posit has been proposed. It exists in Canada over a great extent, and 
also in the valley of lake Champlain. The rail road cutting east of 
Ogdensburgh, was through this, and multitudes of the fossil shells of 
species named by naturalists, Saxicava rugosa, Tellifia grmilaiidica, and 
perhaps a few others occur, and may be gathered in quantities. The 
clay beds at Raymondville, which have a peculiar columnar structure, 
very much like starch, and no signs of stratification whatever, contain 
shells of the same species, proving that they belong to a marine forma- 
tion of a comparatively very recent period. The clays at the latter place 
are overspread for miles by a light sandy loam, as is the case with the 
clay deposits near Albany and elsewhere. These recent fossils occur 
in ravines throughout a considerable part of the northern border of 
Franklin county. Of a still more recent period, are the bog ores still 
forming in swamps, the deposits of lime from a few springs, and the 
detritus brought down by rivers, and left at their mouths, of which the 
rush bed, at the mouth of the Oswegatchie, before the village of Ogdens- 
burgh, is an instance. 

Among the remarkable features of the primary, are trap dykes, of 
which many very interesting instances occur in Rossie, especially near 
Wegatchie, and metallic veins. As it is designed to render this notice of 
practical utility, many subjects of a theoretical nature will be passed. 
Of metallic veins, ihose of lead, copper and zinc are the principal, and 
of the first that at Rossie is preeminent. Indefinite reports of lead, 
silver, &c., based upon Indian traditions, were common among the 
early proprietors, and much effort was made to discover the localities, 
among which one, said to exist near the sources of Grass river, was 
sought after At Rossie, lead ore occurs in several veins, which descend 
nearly vertical, and the ores are associated with iron pyrites, calcite, 
celestine, anglesite and many other minerals, which will be enumerated. 
At the mines on Black lake, at Mineral point, zinc blende occurs in con- 
siderable quantities, as it also does, to some extent, with the galena of the 
St. Lawrence company's mines in Macomb. We consider the fact 
settled beyond a doubt, that lead ore exists in quantities that will render 
its mining very lucrative in St. Lawrence county, and from the discover- 
ies that are being made, it is probable that many new and valuable local- 
ities will hereafter be opened. In all cases, so far as observed, this 
metal exists in true veins, with definite walls, and the geological features 
of the country are such as experience in other mining districts has 
shown favorable to the probabilities of ore in profitable quantities. 

An association styling itself the St. Lawrence Copper Company, was 
formed under the exei'tions of H. H. Bigelow, of Boston, in 1846, for 
the purpose of working mines of copper in northern New York, and 
mining operations on a small scale were commenced in several places, 
but more extensively on the liarm of Hubbard Claik, near the south line 
of Canton, where several thousand dollars were expended in the erection 
of machinery, and in sinking a shaft about sixty feet deep, with short 
levels. The ore occurs here in white lime stone, containing occasional 
crystals of brown tourmaline, and was the yellow sulphuret of copper. 
It formed a regular vein of one foot in width in some places, and was 
associated with calcite, iron pyrites and occasional stains of the green 



682 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

I 

and bltie carbonates of copper. The calcite of this place was at times 
found in crystals of huge proportions, coated with minute crystals of 
pearl spar. It is said that some eighty tons of ore had been procured, 
when the workings were suspended, and a small mass of native copper 
was reported to have been found near the locality. A reverberatory 
furnace was erected at Russell village, for working these ore^, and others 
from Wilna, Jefferson county, but never got in operation. Mr. Bigelow 
subsequently went to California, was elected mayor of Sacramento, soon 
after wounded in endeavoring to suppress a riot, and afterwards died of 
cholera in San Francisco. Since the above period, no effort has been 
made to mine for coppei', although in several places specimens of ore 
occur in such circumstances as to excite the belief that it exists in valu- 
able quantities. 

Next after the agricultural and manufacturing facilities of northern 
New York, her iron mines may be ranked among the elements of her 
wealth. These ores are of three distinct varieties, differing essentially 
in geological age, chemical characters, mineral associates, and the quali- 
ties of iron which they produce. These are the primitive or magnetic, 
the specular and the bog ores. The former, although of great abundance, 
mostly occur in sections yet unsettled, and difficult of access, in Pitcairn, 
Clifton, Chaumont, Sherwood, &c., and in the towns of Duane, Dickin- 
son and Franklin in Franklin county. It is this variety of ore that is so 
largely wrought in Clinton and Essex counties, and that forms the wealth 
of Sweden. It is known to mineralogists as Magnetite, from its being 
magnetic, and is, so far as we have observed, interstratified with gneiss. 
Its mineral associates are few, being quartz, pyrites and pyroxene, from 
its being magnetic, it is readily separated from stone, by being crushed 
and passed under revolving magnets, which pick up the particles of ore. 
It is sparingly distributed through most of our gneiss rock, and the par- 
ticles loosened by disintegration, form the black sand, so uniformly seen 
on the borders of lakes in the primary region. This sand often troubles 
the compass of the surveyor, and has led to the belief of mines of iron 
ore, in localities where nothing but iron sand existed. Specular and bog 
ores have no effect upon the magnetic needle. Primitive oi-e is difficult 
to melt, but makes good iron, and yields about 70 per cent. It may be 
worked in a forge or blast furnace, the former being most in use in Essex 
county. Some varieties make an iron that is exceedingly hard, as was 
the case with that Avrought in Duane, which led to the belief that edge 
tools having the hardness and temper of steel, could be cast directly 
from the furnace. This, about the year 1840, led to much inquiry, and a 
resolution was passed by the assembly in the session of 1841, calling 
upon Professor Emmons, the geologist of the second district, embracing 
the northern part of the state, for information respecting this ore. In 
the report which this called forth, it was stated that the ore was a mix- 
ture of the protoxide and deutoxide of iron, two varieties, chemically dif- 
fering in the amount of ogygen contained, but mechanically mixed in 
this instance, and that apart of the ore being first reduced, united with 
the carbon of the fuel, and became true steel, while the other part was 
melting. Although the edge tools stood the test of experiment, the 
opinion was expressed that they would riot bear continued use, and this 
has been fully sustained hy experience, which has shown that they will 
sopn crumble and break. In his final report, the geologist expressed his 
belief, that the ores of Duane did not possess properties differing from 
those of Essex county. The iron from those ores is very hard, and well 
suited for those uses that require this property. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 683 

The specular ores, so called from the splendid lustre of the crystals of 
Elba and other localities, occurs under two varieties, distinct in situation, 
and accompanying minerals. The least important of these, is the crys- 
taline variety, occurring in gneiss and white limestone, often beautifully 
crystalized in plates, and of variable and uncertain quantities, liable to thiu 
out and again become wide, as is shown in figure 1, opposite page 685, 
which represents a locality in Gouverneur, where a is soil, b sandstone, 
c limestone, and d iron ore. It has not hitherto been wrought with pro- 
fit. A mine in Edwards has yielded about eighty tons, which made ex- 
cellent malleable iron. Quartz, apparently in twelve sided crystals, 
formed by joining the bases of two six sided pyramids, but really having 
a short prism between, is usually found with this ore, and cavities lined 
with crystaline groups of these minerals, form splendid cabinet speci- 
mens. 

Between the gneiss and sandsone, and not elsewhere, occurs a red 
compact ore, chemically like the last, but so unlike to the eye as not to 
be classed with it, and this has hitherto been the ore most largely used in 
St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties, for the manufacture of iron. 
The oldest of these mines i^ the Caledonia mine in Rossie, and has been 
more or less wrought since 1812. A few rodfs distant on the line of 
Gouverneur, is the Kearney iron mine, which was discovered by Lyman 
Adams, in 1825, and has produced about 50,000 tons of ore of excellent 
quality. It has been manufactured at the Carthage, Louisburgh, Fulier- 
ville, Freemansburgh, Alpina, Redwood, Wegatchie, Sterlingville, Ant- 
werp and Rossie furnaces. It has been worked as an open pit to the 
df^th of 50 feet, and an area of about a quarter of an acre. At first it 
appeared as a hillock not covered by other rock. The Caledonia mine is 
capped by sandstone, and has been wrought into caverns with huge masses 
of ore left to support the roof In Fig. 2 opposite page 684, is shown 
the relative situation of the ore and rock, in which a, is ore; b, adit; c, a 
mineral supposed once to be serpentine, but now called a new species, 
dysyntribite, d, gneiss; e, sandstone. The relation of these two mines is 
shown in Fig. 1, opposite pagp 704, in which a, lis sandstone; c, Cale- 
donia mine; d, ore. An apparent underlaying of the ore with respect to 
gneiss, is noticed by Prof Emmons, in Fowler, as is shown in Fig. 8, op- 
posite page 684, in which a, is sandstone; b, ore; c, gneiss. In Fig. 2, 
opposite page 704, is shown still another relation from the same author- 
ity, in which a, is serpentine; b, ore. Several very valuable mines of this 
ore occur along the junction of the primary and sandstone in Jefferson 
county, and it has been wrought to some exl;ent near the village of Little 
York, in Fowler, since 1833. A part of this mine was purchased by the 
owners of Louisburgh furnace, several years since, and the remainder has 
been wrought at a tribute of from 2 to 4 shillings per ton to the owners. 
The ore here occurs in a hill of moderate elevation, and lies directly 
upon the gneiss, which has been uncovered to a considerable extent, 
although large quantities still exist. These red ores impart their color 
to whatever comes in contact with them, giving a characteristic tinge to 
every person and object about the premises. They are never crystalized, 
but 6ccur in every variety of lamellar, slaty, botryoidal and j)ulverulent 
forms, and in some cases, cavities are found lined with beautiful and pe- 
culiar crystalizations of carbonate of lime, spathic iron, heavy spar, ar- 
ragonite, quartz, iron pyrites, and more rarely cacoxene or chalcodite, 
and Millerite, the latter being the rarest and most beautiful of its asso- 
ciates. It occurs in but one of our localities in brilliant needle shaped 
crystals, radiating from a centre like the fibres of a thistle down, and 



684 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

having the color and brilliancy of gold. Groups of crystaline specimens 
of these minerals, often form objects of great beauty. This variety of 
ore is constantly associated with a mineral much like serpentine, 
named by Prof. C. U. Shepard, dysyntribite, of which further notice will 
be given. In some form or other, this always makes its appearance in 
the mines, often in such large masses as to displace the ore, and render 
necessary an outlay to remove it. It is of evei-y shade of green, yellow 
and red, often mixed in the same specimen, and its surfaces are many 
times grounded and polished as if it had slipped under great pressure, 
and before entirely solid. No profitable locality of red ore occurs east 
of the town of Gouverneur, although at the junction of the two formations 
in Pierrepont, a reddish pulverulent mass occurs, which has been ground 
and used as a paint. In some localities this ore bears unmistakable evi- 
dence of former igneous action, as shown by the contorted, folded and 
even fused appearance of the laminae of which it is composed. Should 
this theory be correct, there must have been a peculiar susceptibility of 
the surface along the line of the two formations, where from its weak- 
ness, it yielded to the forces from below. In Gouverneur, near the Little 
Bow, is a locality of soft unctuous ore-like substance, occurring in White 
limestone, as shown in Fig. 2, opposite page 685, in which a, represents 
the soil, b, sulphate of barytes, and c, soft scaly ore. The red ores yield 
about 50 per cent in the large way as shown by our statistics of the Ros 
sie furnace. It has been noticed that castings from this ore shrink a little 
upon cooling, which requires the patterns to be a little larger than the 
article to be made, while those from primitive ores lose nothing from 
this, the iron being probably more crystaline. • 

Bog ores are rather rare in the primary district, but more common in 
swamps in Madrid, Norfolk,- Louisville, Bombay, Westville, &c., from 
which supplies for the furnaces at Waddington, Norfolk and Brasher Iron 
Works, have_been derived, and they have supplied several forges. In 
favorable localities these superficial deposits are renewed after being dug 
ovei-, and thus successive crops are obtained once in a dozen or twenty 
years. This ore makes very soft tenacious iron. A mixture of the pri- 
mitive, red and bog ores in equal parts, was thought to make the best 
specimen of iron ever produced in Northern New York. Bog ores are 
generally lean, not yielding more than 20 or 25 per cent. 

St. Lawrence has long enjoyed a deserved celebrity for the variety and 
beauty of its minerals, which indicates the propriety of giving a notice 
of the more important of these, as well for a guide to the mineralogist, 
as to convey to the inhabitants themselves, a just idea of the minera' 
wealth of their own neighborhoods, and perhaps serve to awaken aspiri' 
of inquiry and observation, especially among the youth that will be pro- 
ductive of the best results. A neatly arranged mineral cabinet bespeaks 
the taste and intelligence of its possessor, and one need not travel beyond 
the precincts of St. Lawrence county, to collect one that shall possess both 
elegance and value, and be as remarkable for variety as beauty. It is 
conceded that this county is unrivaled for the variety of its mineral 
treasures, and this preeminence should be known and appreciated by its 
citizens. 

Jigate, of a coarse variety, occurs with chalcedony near Silver lake, in 
Fowler. 

^Ibite, or white feldspar, is a common constituent of gneiss, in the 
towns underlaid by that rock, Gouverneur, Rossie, &c. Fowler, affords ex - 
amples, but there is nothing which possesses interest, either in crystal- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 689 

ine modification or quality, which renders the mineral an object of in- 
terest to the collector. 

Amethyst (blueish violet, or purple quartz), to a limited extent, in Gou- 
verneur. The banks of Yellow lake in Rossie, have also afforded in- 
ferior specimens. 

Amphibole (basaltic hornblende), occurs frequently in bowlders, but not 
in rock formations. The crystals appear to be definitely formed and 
termmated, but so firmly imbedded in the rock, through which they are 
scattered that it would be impossible to detach them. Broken surfaces 
often present numerous sections of crystals. In the town of Rossie it 
has hitherto been noticed most abundantly. 

Anglesite (sulphate of lead), occurred sparingly in the lead mines of 
Rossie, with galena, but it was not of sufficient importance to be worthy 
of notice in an economical point of view, or of much interest to the min- 
eralogist. 

Jlnkerite (a variety of dolomite, containing iron), has been attributed to 
the iron mines of Rossie, but it scarcely differs from the spathic iron of 
that region, and can not be distinguished from it, if it exists, except by 
chemical tests. 

Apatite (phosphate of lime), crystalized in six sided prisms, occurs at 
several localities in the white limestone formation, in St. Lawrence 
county. It was formerly found of a delicate green shade, a mile s. w. 
of Gouverneur village, but is not now met with there. At the Clark 
hill, in Rossie, small, but very pretty crystals have been found associated 
with sphene, crystalized feldspar, and pargasite. Near the head of 
Mile bay, on Black lake, this mineral has been found of a coarse quality, 
with its usual associates, but the finest locality hitherto observed in the 
county, is on the farm of Michael and Charles Harder, in the town of 
Rossie, in the vicinity of Grass lake. Crystals weighing 18 pounds, and 
12 inches in length, have been obtained here, and those of less size, but 
finely terminated, are more common. The tender quality of the miner- 
als renders it difficult to procure large specimens without fracturing. 
These, when perfect, are highly prized by mineral collectors, for their 
rarity and beauty. If procurable in quantities, it would be a valuable 
article for manures, being chemically the same as calcined bones. It is 
also used in the process of assaying gold and silver ores, and would 
command a high price for this purpose in the markets. The locality in 
Rossie was first noticed and wrought by Professor Emmons. In figure 
5, opposite page 684, is a warped crystal of this mineral, which appears 
to have been bent after it had been formed, by some motion in the rock 
in which it is bedded. This mineral also occurs in Gouverneur, two 
miles north of Somerville. 

Ashestus, of a brown color, with fibres interlocking each other in a very 
intricate manner, occurs in the town of Fowler, associated with Rens- 
selaerite, talc, and tremolite, between the villages of Little York and 
Fullerville. When broken, the fractured surface has some resemblance 
to rotten wood. It does not possess the quality of tenacity, or the prop- 
erty of being easily beaten up into a fibrous mass, which give value to 
this rtiinei-al in the arts, as a constituent of incombustible cloth, or a non 
conductor of heat, for the packing of iron safes. 

41 



■ 690 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Arragonite (needle spar), occurs in the iron mines, near Sornerville, in 
beautiful white globular masses, in cavities of iron ore. When broken, 
these present a silken white radiated structure. Groups of these 
spherical masses, usually of about half an inch in diameter, often pos- 
sess much beauty. The best that have been obtained came from a 
shaft sunk in the land of Mr. Parish, adjacent to the Kearney mine. 
From its occurrence with tiie ores of iron, this mineral is sometimes 
called j^os;/em, or the flowers of iron. 

Automolite, has been attributed to the vicinity of Rossie village. Its 
existence is doubtful, and its locality is unknown. Recent examinations 
prove this mineral to be a variety of spinel, and identical with dys- 
luite, one of the varieties of that mineral. 

Babingtonite, has been said to occur in Gouverneur, coating crystals of 
feldspar. The locality, if it existed, has been lost. 

Blende (sulphuret of zinc), was found associated with galena, at the 
lead mines at Rossie, sparingly, and at Mineral point, in the town of 
Macomb, more abundantly. It is more or less mixed with that mineral 
at the lead mines in Macomb, and in the towns of Fowler, Morristown, 
and De Kalb. 

Calcareous tufa, formed by the deposit of carbonate of lime, from 
springs, is of common occurrence in Rossie, Gouverneur, and other 
towns. At some localities, it is found imitating in form, the fibres of 
moss, which it is popularly believed to be thepeti'ification. This struct- 
ure is found to occur where no vegetable matter could have existed, to 
give it the peculiar appearance. 

Calcite (carbonate of lime), occurs in many localities, and is afforded 
at almost every mine that has been wrought, but at none with more bril- 
liancy and beauty, than at the lead mines at Rossie and Mineral point. 
Limpid crystals, of great size, often with cavities containing water oc- 
curred here, and the modifications of form and combination of groups 
of crystals appeared to be infinite. Not unfrequently an instance would 
occur in which an original defect had been remedied, by a subsequent 
addition, and the form would be perfect, while the addition was evident 
from difference of color. On the right side of the Oswegatchre, two 
miles above the Kearney bridge, in the town of Gouverneur, in an oven 
shaped cavity in limestone rock, and imbedded in clay, are crystals of 
great size, rough externally but when broken quite ti-ansparent. A 
specimen more than a foot in length, nearly transparent, and weighing 
75 pounds, was procured by Charles S. Bolton, of Wegatchie, from this 
locality. It is in the state cabinet. 

Peculiar modifications represented in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 
opposite page 709, and a twin group shown in figure 4, opposite page 704, 
occur at the locality of Pearl spar, in Rossie. They are cljiefly remark- 
able for form, rather than quality. The surface is often rough from cal- 
careous depositions, and they are opake within. Just within the edge of 
Jefferson county, in the same range with the last locality, on the farm of 
Mr. Benton, a very interesting locality of calcite occurs, in which the 
same terminal planes as those represented in the figures occur. The 
spar at this place is sometimes tinged with a delicate rose tint, which is, 
however, liable to fade when exposed to the light. 

On the lett bank of the Oswegatchie, near the Natural dam, in Gou- 
verneur, large crystals of calcite occur. The iron mines of Rossie, 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 691 

affoi-d crystals usually of the dog tooth form, iu cavities of iron ore. 
Some of these with bright globular crystaline groups of nickeliferous 
irou pyrites, aud spathic iron, form attractive cabinet specimens. The 
slender six sided pyramids are here, as in most other localities in the 
count}'', terminated by an obtuse pyramid, the planes of which are par- 
allel with the plane of cleavage. The mines of the St. Lawrence 
Lead Mining Company, iu Macomb, have fiu-nished some interesting 
specimens of a smoky hue, aud others tinged red. Cavities in white 
limestone, are often found to contain crystals of calcite, and it is noticed 
that all the crystals of a given locality possess some general resem- 
blance or family likeness, which to one acquainted with the localities, 
would be sufficient to identify it among.mauy others. This foct is inter- 
esting, as indicating that similar conditions at the the time of formation, 
produce similar results,, aud may perhaps lead to a knowledge of the 
causes which produce the varieties in ci-ystaliue form. In the town of 
Pitcairn, calcite, of a sky blue color, in coarse crystaline masses, occur 
on the south road, about two miles from Green's mill. At the copper 
mine, in Canton, crystals of calcite, nearly limpid, often a great size, and 
frequently coated with pearl spar, were found. 

Celestine (sulphate of strontia), in crystals of a beautiful blue tint, was 
found iu working Coal Hill mine in Rossie. 

Chalcedony, occurs at a locality in Fowler, in interesting concretionary 
forms, but destitute of that polished surface, which is common with this 
mineral. It was found with calcareous spar, galena, blende, &c. 

Chloi-ite, occasionally occurs in bowlders, but not in rock formation, in 
the northern part of the state. It is often associated with epidote. 

ChondroditCy with its usual associates, spindle, occurs in the town of 
Rossie abundantly about three fourths of a mile, vvest of the village of 
Somerville, in white limestone. It is of every shade of yellow, inclining 
to orange and brown, and is diffused iu grains, and small crystaline 
particles, through the white limestone, appearing in relief, on the weath- 
ered surface. Detached bowlders on the shores of Yellow lake, contain 
the same mineral, and it is said to occur in situ, near the Clark hill, in 
Rossie. 

Dolomite, or magnesian limestone, is of frequent occurrence, but not 
in sufficient quantities to give it geological importance. It is usually as- 
sociated with white limestone, and is distinguished from it by its supe- 
rior harduess, causing it often to appear in relief upon weathered sur- 
faces. Rossie, Gouverneur, De Kalb, &c. 

Dysyntribite, occurs at all localities of i-ed iron ore. 

Epidote, granular, and disseminated, in chlorite, is common in 
bowlders, but not in place. 

Feldspar. — This important constituent of gneiss and granite, occurs 
abundantly throughout the the primitive region, but at only a few lo- 
calities of sufficient interest to merit notice. At the locali.y of apatite, 
pargasite, &c., on the Clark hill in Rossie, crystals occur of consider- 
able interest. 

Fluor Spar. — One of the most celebrated American localities of this 
mineral was discovei'ed many years since on Muscalunge lake, in Ant- 
werp, near the borders of St. Lawrence county. Massive cubes va- 



692 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

riously grouped, and at times presenting single crystaline faces, a foot in 
extent, were hei'e found. Externally they were usually rough, but 
within perfectly transparent, and of some shade of green, varying from 
the slightest to the deepest tinge. At the Rossie lead mines small 
quantities were found. Good specimens can not be now procured 
here. At a locality of sulphate of barytes in Gouverneur, two miles 
north from the Griffith bridge, a limited quantity was also found. 
Near the Rock island bridge, in the same town, it has recently been 
found in considerable quantity and of fine quality. This mineral pos- 
sesses commercial value from its uses in the chemical arts. It is em- 
ployed as a flux for separating metals from their ores, and in making 
fluoric acid, the most corrosive substance known, and which is used in 
etching upon glass. This acid is also used, with iodine and bromine, in 
the daguerreotype process. 

Galena (sulphuretof lead). — This important ore the only ore hitherto 
employed in the country for the production of lead, occurs in Rossie 
and Macomb in quantities which will hereafter render these towns of 
great importance. This ore has also been found in Fowler, Pitcairn, 
&c., but not in such quantities as to repay the cost of working. It 
usually occurs in veins with calcareous spar, and of a highly crystaline 
structure, yielding the pi-imitive form of the mineral (the cube), by cleav- 
age with the greatest freedom. When crystalized, it has been in the 
form of the cube and octahedron, with the intermediate modifications. 
The Rossie lead mines have furnished groups of these crystals, which, 
for size and splendor, would compare with any in the world. 

Garnet is found only in bowlders, and of coarse quality. 

Graphite (carburet of iron), is a common mineral in the white lime- 
stone, although it has not hitherto been observed in quantities sufficient 
for any valuable purpose. Near the Big hill, in Rossie, it forms a vein in 
the old road, and a quarter of a nfiile further east, it also occurs. The 
apatite localities all afford scales of graphite. In Canton it occurs iu 
gneiss. It has been found in considerable quantities in Duane in 
bowlders. 

Greenstone is common in bowlders, and occurs in dykes in limestone in 
Rossie. The junction of the rock with the intruded mass, often exhibits 
evidences of the action of heat. 

Hornblende, either in its proper color and crystaline form, or in its 
varieties as tremolite, asbestus, pargasite, &c., is one of our most abund- 
ant minerals. It is a constituent of gneiss, and coextensive with that 
rock. In Edwards is an interesting locality of glassy hornblende, which 
is very cleavable in one direction. It is two miles from the village, on 
the road to South Edwards, which runs on the right bank of the Oswe- 
gatchie. The color at this locality is greenish black, and it is very com- 
mon to find the peculiar wedge shaped crystaline form of this mineral in 
the cavities. A similar but less interesting locality occurs in the town of 
Rossie, on the left bank of the Oswegatchie, a short distance above the 
village of Wegatchie. It occurs in De Kalb, Gouverneur, Potsdam, 
Pierrepont, &c. 

Houghite.— This term has been applied by Prof. C. U. Shepard, of 
Amherst College, to a new mineral that occurs on the fVirm of Stephen 
Ayres, 1^ miles north of Somerville, associated with spinelle, serpentine, 
dolomite, phlogopite, &c. The quantity is abundant at the locality, and 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 693 

it'has been found crystalized in octahedrons. The reader is referred to 
the American Journal of Science, since 1849, and the Transactions of 
the American Association, for 1851, for several articles by Profs. Shep- 
ard, Dana and Johnson, on this mineral. It has been suggested that it 
may be analagous to, or identical with, Vdlknerite, a Norwegian mineral, 
and it is at this time undergoing a I'igid analysis in the laboratory of Yale 
College, that will probably settle the question. 

Idocrase, in irregular fluted prisms, occurs in bowlders, and perhaps in 
rocks in situ, in several localities in Rossie, and probably other towns. 
It is usually clove brown, opake, brittle, and resembles some varieties of 
tourmaline in form. At Vrooman's lake, near the Ox Bow, it has been 
found in crystals, which possess terminal planes. 

Iron pyrites (sulphuret of iron), is common, and will doubtless at a 
future time possess much economical importance for the manufacture of 
copperas, sulphuric acid, and soda ash. Of the former, several hundred 
tons were formerly made in the town of Canton, but the works have 
long since been discontinued. Some of the most brilliant specimens 
ever procured, were in the lead mines of Rossie, where it occurred in cavi- 
ties of the veins, crystalized in cubes, with various modifications, and pos- 
sessing a brilliant lustre which was not liable to tarnish. The iron mines 
of Rossie and those adjacent have furnished many interesting specimens. 
It here occurs massive and crystalized, the latter often associated with 
arsenic, constituting the mineral known as arsenical iron pyrites.^ For 
variety of crystaliue form, a locality on the farm of Mr. John Robertson, 
in the town of Gouverneur, is worthy of notice. The mineral here oc- 
curs in company with graphite and iron ore of a tarnished bronze color, 
and in small crystals, which possess the form of the cube, octahedron, 
dodecahedron, with every intermediate modification. Large octahe- 
drons have been obtained in Gouverneur, at a working for iron ore on 
the farm of James Morse. The vicinity of the village of Hermon has 
furnished interesting specimens, and the mines which have been worked 
for iron, copper and lead, throughout the county contain moi'e or less of 
this mineral. It is often imbedded in gneiss. 

Labradorite (opalescent feldspar), occurs in bowlders, the best speci- 
mens having been found on the banks of the St. Lawx'ence, in the town 
of Oswegatcbie, three or four miles above the village of Ogdensburgh. 
Several tons exist there, near the water's edge. It takes a beautiful polish, 
and would form an elegant gem. The play of colors is vivid, and the 
shades are mostly green and blue. 

loxodase (feldspar with diagonal cleavage), occurs in Rossie at the 
celebrated locality of zircon and apatite, and this is the only hitherto 
reported locality. It occurs crystalized in the forms usual with feldspar, 
and when broken, presents a deUcate bluish opalescence. 

Magnetite, described above in our account of iron ores. 

Mica. — See Muscovite and Phlogopite. 

Muscovite. — This variety of mica does not occur in situ in northern 
New York, but is found in bowlders. One in Gouverneur, containing 

* For an account of this mineral, see an article by Prof. Cha's U. Shepard, in the Transac 
tions of the American Association, Albany session, 1851. 



694 HISTORY OF ST. LA.WRENCE 

large plates of a black variety was examined in its optical properties, by 
Professor B. Siiliman. Jr., of Yale College, and found to have an optical 
angle. of 70° to 70° 30'. 

Pargasiie (green hornblende), occurs wherever apatite has been found 
in St. Lawrence county. It usually is crystalized in hexagonal prisms, 
of a delicate grass green, or bluish green color, sometimes in radiated 
crystaline fibres, in seams of rock, and at others in crystaline grains of 
ready cleavage. The finest locality of this mineral known in St. Law- 
rence county, is near the county line, in Rossie, and in a neighborhood 
called New Connecticut. 

Pearl spar (crystalized dolomite), occurs in the town of Rossie, on the 
right bank of the Oswegatchie, about opposite the furnace at Wegatchie, 
where the river crosses the town the second time. It occurs in crevices 
of limestone, on a precipitous ledge thickly covered by small cedars, 
and is usuallj' planted in clusters of crystals upon large dog tooth crys- 
tals of calcareous spar, and can be obtained in considerable quantities. 

Phlogopite. — The mica of our white limestone formations occurs in 
numerous localities, and often in great beauty. At the serpentine locality 
of Gouverneur, near Somerville, at the hornblende locality of Edwards, 
and at other places in that town, in Fine, two miles from South Edwards, 
in Russell, De Kalb, Fowler, Hermon, Gouverneur and Rossie, it is of 
frequent occurrence, and at times of great beanty. The optical proper- 
ties of these micas are given in vol. x, p. 374-8 (new series), of the Ame- 
rican Journal of Science and Arts. 

Pyroxene in prisms occurs in Rossie, Gouverneur, Hermon, De Kalb, 
&c. Near Grass lake, in the former town, a white variety occurs, in 
which the crystaline form is well exhibited. In Gouverneur it occurs in 
the vicinity of the apatite locality. It is here dark green, and greenish 
black. 

Qiiariz, the most abundant of the simple minerals, and a constituent 
of gneiss and sandstone, occurs in many interesting ^^•irieties. The 
mines of crystalized specular iron in Gouverneur, Fowler, Edwards and 
Hermon all afford splendid crystals. The iron mine near Chub lake, in 
Fowler, afforded beautiful crystals, which were nearly transparent, and 
quite brilliant. On the farm of Joel Smith, in Gouverneur, at a locality 
opened for iron ore, similar crystals were found. At the apatite locality 
at Gouverneur, large smoky crystals have been obtained, and at that in 
Rossie similar ones, so rounded as to appear to have been partially dis- 
solved, occur. The latter much resembles hyalite. At the iron mines 
in Rossie, delicate groups of needle shaped crystals occur in cavities in 
the ore. 

Rensselaerite, of various shades, from white to black, through every 
intermediate color, and varying from a finely granular to a coarsely crys- 
taline structure, occurs in limestone and gneiss in many places in the 
towns of Gouverneur, Rossie, Fowler, Russell, Fine, Pitcairn and Ed- 
wards. In Russell and Edwards, it has been wrought to some extent 
into inkstands and other small articles, and its softness, toughness, the 
beautiful gloss which it readily receives, and the diversity of color which 
it often presents, indicate it as a suitable material for any of the orna- 
mental uses to which alabaster is applied. It can be turned in a lathe 
without difficulty. The manufacture from this material was never car- 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 695 

ried on as a regular business, and has been discontinued for many years. 
At Wegatchie, between 1836-9, about fifty tons were ground and sold 
for gypsum. 

Rutile (titanic acid), has been attributed to Gouverneur, but its locality, 
if it ever existed, has been lost. This mineral is valuable, from the use 
made of it by the manufacturers of artificial teeth, to give a yellowish 
tinge to the enamel. It is worth about $6 per lb for this purpose. 

Satin spar (fibrous calcite), is of frequent occurrence in seams of ser- 
pentine and Rensselaerite, in Fowler, Rossie and Edwards. At a locality 
near Silver lake, in Fowler, beautiful specimens occur. On the left bank 
of the Oswegatchie, between that river and Yellow lake, and opposite 
Wegatchie, in the town of Rossie, is a remarkable locality in a peculiar 
rock, supposed to be a new mineral. The satin spar is in vertical seams, 
while the fibres of the spar run across the vein. The width of the veins 
varies from a mere white line to an inch, and fine specimens are procur- 
able in quantities. The same mineral occurs in narrow seams in ser- 
pentine, at the Dodge iron mine in Edwards. The quantity is small. 

Scapolite, in pearly grey crystals, which are short and generally termi- 
nated, occurs at the locality of apatite, about a mile southwest of Gou- 
verneur village. It is here abundantly diffused through limestone, and 
is readily obtained in separate crystals. Scapolite occurs in detached 
crystals very frequently in the white limestone formation. 

Serpentine abounds tlu'oughout the primary section of the two counties, 
occurring generally with or near the white limestone formation, being 
usually disseminated in nodular masses through that rock. In the town 
of Rossie, on the island at Wegatchie furnace, in Gouverneur village, 
and at the Natural dam, two miles below: in Fowler, Edwards, De Kalb, 
Hermon, Russell, Pitcairn, Fine, Colton, Canton, &c., it occurs in greater 
or less quantity, but nowhere in suflicient abundance to form a rock of 
geological importance. At the locality of mica, &c., on the farm of 
Stephen Ayres, in Gouverneur, serpentine of a yellowish green color, 
and beautifully mottled, occurs. In Edwards, near the village, it occufs 
of various delicate shades of green and greenish white, which possess 
interest. 

Spathic iron (carbonate of iron), occurs in the iron mines of Rossie, in 
beautiful crystaline groups, lining cavities in the ore, and associated with 
calcite, heavy spar and iron pyrites. The color is usually bronze, and 
various shades of brown, and the faces of the crystals often warped, and 
usually vei'y brilliant. It also occurs massive diffused through the ore, 
and has been seen more rarely in botryoidal concretions, covering 
surfaces of red specular iron. Some of the specimens of this mineral 
from the Caledonia and Kearney mines, possess much beauty, and ai-e 
highly esteemed by mineral collectors. The- best specimens were ob- 
tained from the north end of the hill in which the Caledonia mine 
occurs. 

Sphene, is of frequent occurrence in the western part of St. Lawrence 
county. At the apatite localities of Gouverneur and Rossie, it is found 
of a pale red color, and in imperfect crystals with its usual associates, 
pargasite, apatite, graphite, &c. Half a mile north of Gouverneur vil- 
lage, in a wall, black crystals with the angles rounded, as if by fusion, 
occur in quartz. 



696 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Spinelle occurs at the locality of chondrodite, in Rossie, and at the lo- 
cahty of serpentine and mica, on the farm of Stephen Ayres, in Gouver- 
neur. At the former locality it has a pale reddish brown opake va- 
riety, generally well crystalized, and sometimes grouped into clusters. 
The small specimens are the best characterized, and some of them nearly 
transparent. Spinelle, when blue, is the sapphire, and when of a burning 
red, the ruby. 

Sulphur, in a native state, occurs in concretions around the iron mines 
in Rossie, where it is formed by the decomposition of iron pyrites, and 
its deposition is said to be due to the action of vegetable matter. It may 
be expected to occur wherever iron pyrites is exposed to spontaneous de- 
composition in the weather. It is usually more or less mixed with sul- 
phate of iron and other saline substances. 

Sulphate of Barytes, is associated with limestone, in Gouverneur, about 
two miles from the Griffith bridge, where it occurs in an irregular vein 
with fluor spar. It presents externally a rusty brown color, and an ir- 
regular attempt at crystalization, the surface being covered by bundles of 
coarse crystaline fibres. Broken it presents a pure white color, and is 
fibrous and laminated. Several hundred pounds have been procured 
near the surface, and it is doubtless abundant in the vicinity. On the 
farm of James Morse, in the same town, this mineral occurs with a 
micaceous variety of iron ore, in crystaline plates, which by their inter- 
section form irregular angular cavities. The foi-ms represented in figs. 
5 and 6, opposite page 709, were found here. In the town of Morris- 
town, several tons were procured for manufacture into white paint, a few 
years since. Its appearance was similar to that of Gouverneur. On 
yellow lake, in Rossie, and in the iron mines of that town, it has been 
found sparingly. At the latter, it is in small crystals, in cavities of cal- 
cite, and the forms shown in figs. 6 and 7, opposite page 684, have been 
observed. The lead mines of Rossie afforded it sparingly. On the farm 
of Robert Dean, in Antwerp, Jefferson county, near the county line, is 
an interesting locality in which this mineral, which naturally of great 
specific gravity, occurs light and spongy, from numerous vermicular 
cavities. 

Sulphuret of copper, has been procured in quantities which justify the 
belief that it will be found in such abundance as will make it profitable 
as an ore of copper, in the towns of Macomb, Gouverneur, Canton, 
Fowler, Edwards, Russell, &c. Several explorations have been made 
for this mineral, but not to such extent as to decide the quantity that may 
be expected to occur. 

Tourmaline, of a reddish brown color, and crystalized, is found imbed 
ded in white limestone, in the towns of Rossie, Gouverneur, Hermon, 
Russell, &c. The quality of this is such that if it could be obtained of 
sufficient size, it would form the most excellent plates for examining the 
properties of polarized light. About two miles southeast of the village 
of Gouverneur, it has been found most abundantly. It also occurs one 
mile from that village, on the north side of the road leading to Somer- 
ville. 

Tremolite, (white hornblende), occurs in the town of Fowler, between 
Little York and Fullerville, of a delicate rose color, in masses which 
have a broken crystaline structure. In De Kalb it is common in white 
crystaline blades and tufts, on white limestone, usually appearing in 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 



697 



relief wherever the surface has been weathered. In Gouverneur, on 
the road from Richville to Little Bow, is a very interesting locality, on 
the farm of Stephen Smith. It here occurs in long crystaline masses, 
often interlocking each other, and forming specimens of great beauty. 
Near the Four corners, a mile from this locality, neair the Rock Island 
bridge, and in an open field, beautifully radiated tufts are observed on 
the limestone rocks, which when broken present a silken gloss. No 
mineral can surpass in beauty of lustre or delicacy of fibre, specimens 
from these localities. 

Zircon, much esteemed by mineralogists for its rarity and its con- 
taining zirconium, one of the rarest of the mineral elements, occurs at 
the apatite locality in Rossie, in square prisms, sometimes terminated by 
pyramids. It is of a brownish red color, and in small crystals is trans- 
parent. It occurs also on the farm, of Lorenzo Heath, nearer the village 
than the former, and also on Grass creek, in the same town, associated 
with apatite. The peculiar modification represented in fig. 4, opposite 
page 684, occurs at the latter locality. When transparent, this mineral 

is cut and set as a 
gem, and its hardness 
and the beautiful lus- 
tre it is capable of i-e- 
ceiving, render it pe- 
culiarly valuable for 
this purpose. None 
of this quality has ever 
been found in St. Law- 
rence county. The 
annexed cut is a crys- 
tal of zircon of the natural size, the jjarts of which have been displaced 
by some cause after it was formed. It is figured by Prof. Emmons in 
his final report. 




Meteorological Notes. 

Among the more striking of meteorological phenomena, are tornadoes 
of which several have occurred since our counties were settled. In 
traversing the forests, the tracks of these are often seen in lines of fallen 
timber, usually denominated windfalls. They generally travel eastward, 
and the whirl is in the opposite direction with that in which the hands 
of a watch move. 

On the 21st of August, 1823, a tornado passed across the town of Con- 
stable, sweeping everything before it, but fortunately destroying no lives. 
It entered from Canada, and pursued a southeasterly direction until it 
passed the village of East Constable, when it turned eastward tovi'ards 
Chateaugay, and spent its force in the woods. The path was narrow, and 
for the first few miles it appeared to pass in two lines, which united. Its 
progress was slow, and the roar which accompanied it warned the in- 
habitants to seek safety in flight. The whirling of the vortex was ex- 
cessive, carrying up and throwing out from its borders planks, rails, 
branches of trees, and whatever lay in its way, and it was said on re- 
spectable authority, that a log chain lying on the ground was carried ten 
or fifteen rods from its place. This report, so apparently incredible, is 
scarcely more so than others well authentieated by evidence, in which 
the turf has been torn up and carried off, and heavy metalic articles 



698 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

swept away by the fury of the tornado. The day on which this occur- 
red liad been excessively hot and sultry, and the blackness, roaring and 
violence of the phenomenon, were said to have been most sublime and 
terrific. Towards the end of its course it ceased to progress, but moved 
jn spiral paths through a maple forest, many acres of which were pros- 
trated. 

Perhaps the most extraordinary tornado ever recorded without the 
tropics, occurred in St. Lawrence county, Sept. 20, 1845. It was traced 
from Upper Canada to Vermont. At 3 o'clock it was at Antwerp; at 5, 
on the Saranac; at 6, at Burlington, Vt., and at Shoreham, Vt., in the 
evening. Its length could not have been less than 200 miles, and its 
course nearly east, till it reached Lake Champlain, which it appears to 
have followed to its head. 

On Saturday, at noon, fSept. 20, 1845), some gentlemen standing on 
the wharf at€obnrg, C. W., happening to cast their eyes upon the water, 
weie struck with the appearance of a strong current setting directly out 
from shore. It seemed as if the whole lake were going away bodily. 
It presently returned to a height two feet higher than usual, and con- 
tinued to ebb and flow at intervals of eight or ten minutes, till night. At 
Port Hope, the steamer Princess Royal could not get into port at all. It 
was at the time supposed to be the eflfect of an earthquake, and perhaps 
was. The work of destruction began a mile east of Antwerp, and in its 
course through the forest, it swept all before it, leaving a track of deso- 
lation from half a mile to a mile and a half wide, in which nothing was 
left standing. Its appearance was described by those who observed it at 
a little distance, as awfully sublime, it being a cloud of pitchy blackness 
from which vivid lightnings and deafening thunder incessantly proceeded, 
and the air was filled to a great height with materials carried up from 
the earth, and branches torn from the trees. Torrents of rain and hail 
fell along the borders of the track, and much damage was done by 
lightning. It entered the county in Fowlei-, and crossed that town and 
Edwards, when it entered the uninhabited forest, and was not further 
witnessed. In its track on the Pitcairn road, and another passing through 
Eramerson's and Streeters settlements, some two miles apart, were six- 
teen buildings, barns, houses, and one school house, which were swept 
away, yet wonderful to tell, no human lives were lost on the whole route. 
In the house of a Mr. Leonard, were two women and five children, who 
took refuge in the cellar, and escaped harm, except that one was 
struck senseless by a piece of timber. In another house was a sick 
woman, with a young child and a nurse attending them. Frightened by 
the noise, the latter threw herself upon a bed, when the house was blown 
down, and one of the logs, of which it was built, fell across her, and held 
her fast. She was relieved by the superhuman exertions of the invalid. 
Near this house, a man was driving a yoke of oxen attached to a wagon, 
laden with coal. Two trees were brought by the wind and laid across 
the wagon, which crushed it, without injury to the team or man. A 
frame school house in Edwards, in which were several scholars and their 
teacher, was unroofed without injury to its inmates. Immediately fol- 
lowing the tornado was a storm of hail, some of the stones of which 
were of great size, which severely lacerated such cattle as were exposed 
to it. At Union falls, on the Saranac, in Clinton county, where it emerged 
from the forest, it made a complete wreck of many of the buildings. 
" Duncan's forge was considerably injured, and a brick school house near 
the Travis forge, in Peru, was utterly demolished, A brick dwelling near 
this, was partly destroyed. Two houses were blown down, over the 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 699 

beads of the inmates,- and it was miraculous that no lives were lost. 
Some 15 or 20 buildings were destroyed or injured in that vicinity, by 
the wind, which committed no further depradations until it reached Bur- 
lington, in Vt., where it unroofed a house, and blew down some barns. 
The steamer Burlington, near Fort Cassin, encountered the storm, but 
braved it handsomely, suffering no greater loss than some loose deck 
plank," which were picked up miles from shore," At Shoreham, in the 
evening, was a most majestic display of lightning [conceivable. The 
upper part of a dense cloud coming slowly from the north west, was al- 
most constantly lighted up by flashes and spangled streaks, footing in 
every direction. Occasionally it would strike the ground. As it ap- 
proached, the thunder commenced its roar, and increased without inter- 
mission, until it passed. 

At Clintonville, on the Ausable, the lightning struck a church edifice. 
Several other buildings were struck, some of which w«re destroyed by 
fire. 

(See JV. Y. Municipal Gazette, vol. l,p. 524 J. 

The extent and violence of this storm has seldom been paralleled, and 
had its track lain through a settled country, the loss of life must have 
been dreadful. 

The data we possess in regard to our climate, is limited to the results 
of but a few years observations made under the direction of the Regents 
of the University at four academies subject to their visitation, and to a 
short period during which they have been reported to the Smithsonian 
Institution, by several voluntary observers. We possess reports of the 
Gouverneur Seminary, for 12 entire years, viz: 1831-2-3-4-5-8-9, 1841-2- 
3, (except rain gage in 1831 3, 1843); of the Ogdensburgh Academy, for 
18 '8; of the academy at Potsdam, for 21 entire years, viz: 1828 to 1846 
inclusive; and of the Franklin Academy at Malone, for 1839-40-2. A 
similar series of observations have been made at 62 different stations in 
the state of New York, during an aggregate period of about 900 years, and 
the results embody a mass of facts bearing upon the climate of the 
state of great practical value. In 1850, the system first adopted, was dis- 
continued, and another at fewer stations but with better instruments was 
substituted. To the farmer especially does the study of Meteorology 
commend itself, for to no piu'suit has it so intimate a relation as this. It 
is a well established fact that changes of weather may often be predicted 
several hours before their occurrence, by the barometer, and thus 
especially in the haying and harvest seasons, a saving would often be 
effected sufficient to pay the cost of the instrument. That atmospheric 
changes are due to causes, none will deny. That these are within the 
scope of our investigation is pi'obaWe, although from the necessity of the 
case, no amount of probabilities can ever establish an infallible pre- 
diction. If every season but one in a thousand had been remarkably 
cold, or wet, no certainty could be relied upon for the one. The ac- 
cumulation of probabilities may, however approach such exactness, as to 
be of eminent practical service. The system observed in these records, 
enables us to form a comparative table of results, of variable value from 
the unequal time that they were maintained at each. 



700 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



The first of the following tables is for Potsdam, the second for Gouver- 
neur, and the third for Malone, and they show the results of the above 
observations, for the respective periods mentioned. 



Months. 



January, . . . 
February,.. 

March, 

April, 

May, 

June, 

July, 

August, . . . . 
September, . 
October, . . . 
November,. 
December, . 



Mean, 



Thermometer 



Mean 
Temprature. 



1st 

half. 



21.52 
16.00 
26.81 
41.29 
52.33 
62.74 
68 09 
67.71 
60.36 
47.83 
37.14 
25.25 



2d 
half. 



16.50 
21 61 
32.99 
46.18 
57.77 
65.19 
68 63 
65.76 
54.96 
42.18 
30.14 
18 94 



43 92 43 41 43.66 



S ° 



19.01 
18.80 
29.90 
43.73 
55 05 
63.96 
68.38 
66.73 
57.66 
45.00 
33.64 
22.09 



<0 

to 




*^ 


*.* 


1= 
ffl 


1 


57 


—34 


67 


—32 


78 


—28 


84 


—1 


94 


20 


95 


32 


96 


40 


95 


34 


88 


23 


86 


12 


71 


-10 


59 


-26 


96 


34 



Resultant of 
winds. 



s.78O30'w, 
S.79 22 w, 
s.67 45 w, 
s.79 17 w. 
S.6I 34 w. 
s.58 30 w. 
S.54 17 w. 

.63 45 w. 

.63 58 w. 

.58 48 w, 
s.67 08 w, 
S.85 31 w. 



130 S.66 15 w. 34 10.29 



9.78 
98 
8.55 
6.60 
9 45 
15.37 
16.27 
13.61 
12 89 
11.85 
9.40 
7.94 





Weather. 




Mean results. 






i 




ci: 


o 
O 


■3 s 


.CO "" 






tfS 






■a 


f^ 


1155 


1945 


1.40 


as.i.-i 


11.88 


16.40 


1.06 


21.31 


13.89 


17.11 


1.4S 


29 67 


14.50 


15.50 


1.70 


.34.13 


15.78 


15.22 


3.03 


60.52 


16.62 


13.38 


3.,S1 


66.25 


18.02 


12.98 


4.03 


80.70 


18.90 


1210 


2.81 


56.18 


15.52'14.4S 


3.11 


62.17 


14.091 16.91 


3.34 


66.87 


9.02j20 98 


1.93 38.62 


10 4S|20.52 


1.44 28.85 


14.18 


15.26 


2.38 


47 79 



January, . . . 
February, . . 

March. 

April, 

May, 

June, 

July, 

August, 

September,. 
October, . . . 
November, . 
December, . 



Mean, 



20.33 
15.68 
28.49 
42.23 
51.27 
62.58 
6S26 
67 50 
60 79 
49.69 
36.56 
21.84 



19,16 
21.69 
.33.54 
46.58 
53.51 
61.07 
69 46 
67.51 
55..59 
44.52 
30.19 
18,14 



43.77 4408 43.92 100 



19.74 
18.68 
31.01 
44.40 
54.89 
63.32 
68.86 
67.50 
.58.11 
4710 
33.37 
20.49 



-35 1 99 
-32 91 
-301102 



S.83 45 w. 
a. 71 32 w. 
S.87 54 w. 
N.71 27 w. 
S.73 33 w. 
S.64 30 w. 
S.70 46 w. 
s.79 46 w. 
S.81 29 w. 
S.S2 iSw. 
N.87 53v(r. 
N.76 20 w. 



—40 140 Is.Sl 29 w. 



32; 9.56 
32 9.68 
34I1O.30 
22 1 6.26 
36110.83 
321 9.71 
59117.67 



8.95 

12.21 

12.42 

9.80 

8 80 

11.26 



15,17 
17.67 
15.75 
15.62 
16.17 
17.8S 
18.92 
18.87 
15,17 
13.08 
10.00 
11.08 

1X13 15.31 



15.33 
13.50 
12.25 
14.38 
14.83 
12.12 
12.08 
12.12 
14.83 
17.92 
20 00 
19 92 



2.54 
1.87 
1.68 
1.94 
2.44 
2.89 
2.34 
2.21 
2.59 
3 20 
2.16 
1.67 



22.89 
1683 
15.13 
17.46 
22.00 
25.97 
21.06 
19.9.J 
23 33 
28.81 
19.49 
15.06 
2.29 18.99 



January, . . . 
February, . . 

March, 

April, 

May, 

June 

July, 

August, . . . , 
September, . 
October, . . , 
November, . 
December, . 



Mean, 



18 18 
23.80 
29.42 
41.82 
47.85 
57.54 
65.69 
64 40 
5837 
48.94 
37 31 
26.02 



18.25, 
28.49 
33.44 
48.33 
58.16 
49.57 
68.12 
63.16 
51.97 
44 89 
28.39 
16.42 



18.21 


54 


-24 


26.14 


68 


—15 


31.43 


68 


—12 


45.07 


89 


11 


53.00 


83 


25 


53.55 


89 


31 


66.90 


94 


38 


63.78 


94 


40 


55.17 


84 


23 


46.91 


74 


20 


32.85 


64 


6 


21.22 


45 


—14 


42.85 


94 


—24 



s61 15 w. 

s.70 02 w. 
s.83 12 w 
N.86 36 w. 

Is.51 07 w. 

|s.77 32 w. 
S.S4 03 w. 
S.S6 00 w. 
s.73 10 w 
N.S7 53W. 
S.76 56vir 
S.88 24 w. 



16.70 
15.58 
13.50 
12.13 
15.55 
15 01 
19.62 
9.89 
17.54' 
10.84 
12 58 
12 80 



11..50 
7.S3 
13.66 
15.50 
14.33 
12.83 
15.16 



12 33 
14 66 
6.50 
6.86 



57 w. 45 13.59' 12.28 1816 2 42 7.63 



19.50 
20.50 
17.30 
14.50 
16.66 
17.16 
15.83 



16.16 14.S'4 



17.66 
16 33 
23.50 
24.14 



1.73 
2.22 
2.04 
2.04 
2.97 
3.38 
3.89 
1.57 
2.75 
2.92 
144 
1.09 



5.19 
6.63 
6.12 
6.12 
8.93 
10.16 
16.68 
4.71 
8.26 
8.76 
4.32 
6.23 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 701 

The first thi'ee columns after the months denote the mean temperature 
as derived from three daily observations, of which one was taken in the 
morning before sunrise, another in the warmest part of the afternoon, 
and the third an hour after sunset. The column headed " highest degree" 
denotes the greatest temperature observed, and the next column the least. 
The three columns headed "Resultant of Winds" is the product of much 
labor, and the first shows the angle or point from which all the winds have 
blown during the entire period. The column marked percentage, shows 
the prevalence of the winds ii;i parts of a hundred, and that marked days, 
in that of the whole number of days in the month. To illustrate this, 
the month of January at Potsdam, may be taken as an example. The 
direction of the wind in the forenoon and afternoon was entered in the 
journal, and at the end of the month these entries were added up. The 
footings of 21 years showed that the average number of days of wind 
from each of the "eight points were as follows in days and himdreths : N. 
2.15: N. E. 5.46: E. 0.12: S. E. 0.59: S. 4.35: S. W. 9.69: W. 3.48: N. 
W. 5.16: total, 31.00. The columns showing these numbers we have 
been obliged to omit. From these numbers it remained to learn their 
value and mean direction (supposing the velocity of the wind to have 
been uniform), precisely as we would ascertain the direction and distance 
of a ship which should have sailed uniformly in the different courses for 
the above times, from the starting point. The eight directions were i-e- 
duced to four by substracting opposite points; these reduced to two by 
a traverse table, and lastly these two were brought down to one by a tri- 
gonometrical calculation, and the aid of logarithms. In the instance cited, 
if the whole amount of winds or the whole time be called 100, then 32 of 
these, or 9.78 days of the 31.00, the wind came from a point S. 78° 30' 
W., while during the remainder of the time (68 per cent or 21.22 days), 
the winds from opposite points balanced each other. The bearing whicli 
this inquiry has upon the questions of climate, and especially upon agri- 
cultural and commercial interests of the nation, renders it desirable that 
these observations shouZd be extended, and measures are now in progress 
to maintain on an extended scale a minute and judicious system of re- 
cords. The colums headed clear and cloudy denote the relative periods 
during which the sky has been clear and overcast, the monthly mean of 
the rain gage indicates the average depth of rain in the several months, 
and the last colunm the total depth for the whole period, viz: 20 years at 
Potsdam, 9 at Gouverneur, and 3 at Malone. 

The following table shows the results of a series of observations, made 
by Mr. E. A. Dayton, at Columbia village, with a set of standard instru- 
ments, placed as directed in the instructions, issued by the Smithsonian 
Institution, to which they have been reported. The time of observation 
have been 6 A. M., 2 P. M., and 10 P. M. 



702 



HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



The instruments with whicli these observations have been made, were 
manufactured by James Green, of New York. The lieadings of the several 
columns render them sufficiently intelligible. In that marked* Cloudi- 
ness, 10 reprsents a sky entirely overcast. In the column next to the 
last, the corrections for expansion of the mercury, and other modifying 
influences, are allowed for so that the number represent the actual meau 
height of the barometer, independent of modifying causes. 



Months. 



E 

.ii 


i 

o 

CM 

pq 


Self Keg. 
Ther. 


bo 
|l 


O 

a 


1| 


S2"a 

o . . 
« o S 




is 



July, 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr, 

Aug. 

Dec. 



iOOi, 


63.27 


ic 


45.92 


(I 


28.95 


il 


16 52 


1S52 


n.62 


(I 


21.79 
26 39 


(1 


37 95 


u 


66 41 


(C 


28.35 



29.615 
28.410' 
28.476 
29.C44 
29.671 
29.779 
29.639, 
29.498 
29.694 
29.464 
29.728 
29.689 



75.90158.94 
76.97157.06 
69.29 47.87 



36.12 
25.34 
19.00 

34.63 

45.67 
76.37 
33.52 



23.05 
8.11 
2.04 
12.55 
17.04 
30.00 
54.26 
17.01 



w. 13.91 
s. w.|5.0 



s. w. 
s. w, 
s.w. 

w. 

w. 
, w. 

"W. 

N. E. 
S.W, 

s. w. 



|2.46 
2.13 
4.54 
2.45 
1.28 
2-96 129 
3.33 29 
0.77 29 
2.49 29 
4.94129 



,608 
,738 
829 
.642 
,668 
.712 
,639 
,495 
,695 
484 
728 
,689 



580 

612 

1.152 

780 

1.462 

1.357 

1.166 

1.651 

1.561 

989 

536 

1.302 



We are under the necessity of omitting many obsei'vations which ac- 
company the above. 

The following is an abstract of observations made with similar instru- 
ments and for a similar object as the foregoing, at Ogdensburgh, by Mr. 
Wm. E. Guest, Esq., during 1851 — 1852. Parts of the two previous years 
are not included. Height above tide 279 feet. 





Temperature. 


3 
O 

o 


go 
^1 


Barometer, 


Months. 


a 


j3 
be 


o 


3 


em 

a 
a 



January, . . , 
February, . . 

March, 

April, 

May, 

June, 

July, 

August, 

September, , 
October, . . , 
November, , 
December, , 



19.74 47 
22.15'52 
28.59J67 
39.54 69 



53.56 
61.51 
67.75 95 
64.22 83 
57.51 88 
47.67 73 
31.04 52 
23.17 58 



—22 

—17 

—12 

21 

34 



39 4.6 
50 3.8 
46|4.0 
32J4.S 
26:5.1 
13J4.9 
-I4i7.0 



1.85 
2.81 
3.15 
1.89 
3.25 
2.80 
3.19 
2.27 
2.43 
2.65 
4.06 
4.68 



49.653 
59.702 
29.688 
29.563, 
29 671 
29.681 
29.615 
29.740 
29.798 
29.680 
29.654 
29.684 



1.365 

1.032 

0.660 

1.045 

0.947 

1.068 

703 

585 

1.113' 

864 

1.306 

L.355 



A small part only of the record communicated, is embraced in the 
foregoing table. 

A series of notes on our natural history, and a catalogue of plants 
growing without cultivation, which we had prepared, is necessarily 
omitted. It may not be amiss to remark, that the beaver still exists in 
scattered families between the sources of Oswegatchie and Grass rivers, 
although they do not build dams and villages as previously, from their 
fewness. The moose is said to be on the increase, and there is scarcely 
a year passes without one or more being taken. The elk is probably 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 703 

extinct, here altliough its horns are occasionally found, and it occurs in 
Canada. The panther, bear, lynx, fisher, otter, deer, and other animals 
that are pursued as game or for their furs, still continue to give employ- 
ment to the pleasure seeking sportsman, and the professional hunter, nor 
are the waters that adoi-n the green woods and reflect the shadows of 
prirneval forests, destitute of attraction to the followers of Izaak Walton. 
The' lakes and rivers of the south part of Franklin county, are cele- 
brated for their trout, while in the larger tributaries of the St. Lawrence, 
the sturgeon, pike, mullet, muscalange, pickerel, bass, pei'ch, sunfisb, and 
other species occur. Formerly the salmon abounded, but for many 
years none have been caught. To the naturalist, perhaps the most in- 
teresting fish in our waters, is the hill-fish (Lepidosteus oxyurus,) which 
occurs in Black lake, and the great rivers, and seldom fails to attract the 
curiosity of the most casual observer. F. Gabriel Sagard, Samuel 
Champlain, Father Charlevoix, and other French writers, described this 
fish, and its habits in the most absui-d manner, probably guided by 
Indian traditions. The latter called it Chou-sa-ron, and the teeth were 
used as lancets for bleeding. This fish occurs sometimes five feet in 
length; its body is covered with hard bony scales, and it has a long nar- 
row beak, armed with a double row of teeth. The interest to the scien- 
tific which it possesses, is derived from the fact that the structure of its 
teeth, under the microscope, prove it to be intermediate between fishes 
and reptiles, and with the exception of a somewhat similar fish Of the 
Nile, the sole survivor of an early and deeply interesting geological 
period. In this we may study the structure and analogies of a race of 
animals, that at one period, were lords of the creation, but have long 
since given place to other forms of animal life. 

Of birds there is probably nothing peculiar to this section, but a 
single fact relating to the chimney swallow may be noticed. It is well 
known that before the country was settled, this bird was accustomed to 
inhabit hollow trees, and countless myriads, would congregate in a 
single tree. Wilson in his ornithology, has given an animated and 
beautiful description of these colonies. A swallow tree of the descrip- 
tion, formerly existed near Somerville, and attracted many curious 
visitors. 

We inadvertently omitted in its proper place, to notice that an earth- 
quake occurred in St. Lawrencecounty, on the evening of January 22, 
1832. at about half past eleven o'clock, p. m. Houses were shaken at Og- 
densburgh, so much as to awaken many from sleep, and the tremulous 
motion of stoves, crockery and windows, with a sound like distant thun- 
der, beneath the surface of the earth, was distinctly perceived by those 
who had not yet retired to sleep. At Lowville, the sudden and violent 
agitation of the earth, was accompanied by a sound like that of several 
heavy carriages passing rapidly over frozen ground. It was also per- 
ceived very sensibly at Montreal, where the motion was compared to 
the shaking of a steamboat, whose machinery agitates her very much. 
It continued four seconds, and was accompanied with an indistinct 
noise. 



704 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE A. 

fPreferred from page 97.] 

The surrender of Isle Royal was announced by the follo,iving proclamation of 
Governor Colden. 

'• By the Hon. Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, President of His 
[L. S.] Majesty's Council, and Commander-in-chief of the Province of 
New York, and the territoVies depending thereon in America. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, His Majesty's forces, under the immediate command of His 
Excellency General Amherst, have lately I'educed the fortress and works 
erected by the enemy on an island in the St. Lawrence, called by the 
French Isle Royal, a few miles below Oswegatchie, an Indian settle- 
ment with a block house fort, which the enemy had before abandoned, 
from whence the inhabitants of this province, situated on the Mohawk 
river, have been so much annoyed by parlies sent to harrass and disturb 
them, that they were kept in almost constant alarm, and many under 
strong apprehensions of their danger, abandoned their settlements. 
And whereas by this important acquisition, the people along the Mohawk 
river, will for the future remain quiet in their possessions, and as the 
improvement of the settlements there, and the cultivation of the adja- 
cent uncleared country, can not but prove of the greatest advantage to 
the province. The general by his letter to me, dated below, the Isle 
Royale, the 26th ultimo, hath recommended that I would invite the in- 
habitants thereto and assin-e them of a peaceable abode in their habita- 
tion. I have heretofore thought iit with the advice of his majesty's coun- 
cil to issue this proclamation, hereby inviting the persons, who through 
fear of the incursions of the enemy on that side, have left their settle- 
ments, to return to their farms where they may now reap the fruit of 
their industry, in the utmost security, and as a further encouragement to 
others to become settlers in that part of the country, I do promise his 
majesty's grant of any of the vacant lands there to such persons as fehall 
apply for the same, on the usual terms, and on condition of innnediate 
settlements of the tracts that shall be so appropriated. 

Given under my hand and seal at arms, in Fort George, in the city of 
New York, the fourth day of September. 1760, in the thirty fourth year of 



/ /""■ \ \ 



\/ / r \ ^ 






10 



11 





AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 705 

the reign of our sovereign, Lord George the second, by the grace of God 
of Great Britain, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, and so 
forth. 



'^9^, 



By His Honors Cominand, G. W. Banyar, Z>. Sec'?/. 
God Save the King. 

We much regret our inability to refer to M. Pouchot, the commander 
of this post, at the time of its surrender.— fPowcAo/ M. Memoires siir le 
Derniere Guerre des Amerique, Septentrionale, entre la France et I'Ang-leterre, 
3 vols. 12mo, Trerdon, 1781. 

Two English historians (John Entick, in a work in 5 volumes 8vo, en- 
titled General History of the War in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, 
London, 1763; and John Knox, in a work of 2 volumes, 4to., entitled 
An Historical Journal of the Campaign in JVorth America), have detailed 
with minuteness the events of the campaign, and added other particu- 
lars. The latter accompanied the English army, and wrote from per- 
sonal observation. We quote from his account: 

" 18th August. The weather is extremely unfavorable to our opera- 
tions, yet the general, intent on the vigorous prosecution of his mea- 
sures, resolves to lose no time. This morning was taken up with the 
repairs of the row galleys and prize vessel, and at 10 o'clock the en- 
gineers with the covering party returned, and made their report; hut 
his excellency was predetermined, and the army are in readiness. The 
first division, consisting of the grenadiers, twobattalionsof light infantry 
the right brigade of regulars, Schuyler's regiment, the greatest part of 
the Indians with Sir William Johnson, three row galleys and some field 
artillery, are to proceed down by the north shore, commanded by the 
general in person; pass the fort and take possession of the islands and 
coasts below it; at the same time the second division, composed of the 
left brigade of regulars, Lyman's regiment, two ranging companies, the 
remainder of the Indians, and two row galleys, under the command of 
Col. Haldiman, to row down to the south coast, and take post opposite 
to the fort, where they will not be exposed to the fire of the place, whilst 
the prize now deservedly called the Williamson brig, under Lieut. Sin- 
clair, will s&il down the centre of the river, between the two divisions 
with direction to moor at random shot from the fort; Brig, Gen. Gage' 
with the rest of the army and heavy artillery, to remain at Oswegatchie! 
Such is the disposition his excellency made before the return of the en- 
gineers, and it was spiritedly executed accordingly, under a brisk and 
continued cannonade, directed against the brig and the general's column 
whereby one galley was sunk, ten men were killed and wounded, one of 
whom lost a thigh, and many bateaux and oars were grazed with shot. 
As the north division rowed down in single files, it was 11 at nio-ht be- 
fore the sternmost boat joined, and then the blockade of the fort was 
completely formed. Our Indians landed on the islands Gallop and Pic- 
quet, which the enemy abandoned with the greatest precipitation, having 
left a number of scalps, two swivel guns, some barrels of pitch, a quan- 
42 



706 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

tity of tools and utensils, with some iron behind them. Our Indians 
were so exasperated at finding the scalps, that they fired all their Iiouses, 
not sparing even the chapel. Late in the night an attempt was made to 
weigh up the galley that was sunk, but we could not succeed. 

19th. The general, with Col. Williamson and Lieut. Col. Eyre,* re- 
connoitered the fort and the islands nearest to it, on two of which ground 
is made choice of for batteries, about six hundred yards from the fort, 
as also for a third on an advantageous point of land on the south shore ; 
and detachments are immediately ordered to break ground, cut and 
make fascines, with every other preparation for carrying on the siege. 
Orders were sent to Oswegatchie, for the heavy artillery, which are 
expected down this night. The Onondaga and Mohawk appeared to- 
day; they received orders, in like manner as the brig, to come to anchor 
at random shot from the fort, and if cannonaded, not to return it. The 
I'emainder of the army, except one Connecticut regiment, are ordered 
down from Oswegatchie, whence our heavy artillery arrived late at 
night, and the row galley with her gun was weighed up. The fort 
fired on the brig yesterday, which she spiritedly returned, until ordered 
to desist. 

22d. The troops have worked with such diligence, that our batteries 
will be completed this night, and I'eady to play on Fort Levis to-mor- 
row. 

23d. The batteries were opened this morning, and had such effect, 
that the enemy drew in their guns, and endeavored to serve them h 
convert. After some hours' firing, a disposition was made to storm the 
fort with the grenadiers of the army, in which the three vessels were to 
have assisted. For this purpose, a number of marksmen were judi- 
ciously placed on board each ship, with the view of compelling the 
enemy to abandon their guns ; and they were ordered to fall down on 
the fort within the range of small arms ; but whether the vessels were 
confused with the weight of the enemy's fire, or that the miscarriage 
may be imputed to the navigation or the wind, is difficult to determine ; 
for the general, not approving of their manner of working down, sent 
orders to them to return to their former station, and desisted from his 
project for the present. The garrison expended a great deal of ammu- 
nition to little purpose; and our artillery were so well served, that the 
enemy were rather shy of standing to their guns. 

25th. We have had warm cannonading on both sides, but their guns 
being at length dismounted by our superior fire, M. Pouchot, the gov- 
ernor, after displaying as much gallantry as could be expected in his 
situation, beat a chamade, and in the afternoon capitulated for his garri- 
son, who are become prisoners of war ; they consist of two captains, 
six subalterns and two hundred and ninety-one men, all ranks included; 
they had a lieutenant of artillery with twelve men killed, and thirty-five 
wounded. The ordnance mounted at Fort Levis, are twelve 12 pound- 
ers, two sixes, thirteen fours, four of one pound each, and four brass 6 
pounders. Lieut. Col. Massey has taken possession of the fort, with 
three companies of his battalion. Fort Levis, on Isle Royale, is in a 
most advantageous situation. ' The island is small, and entirely compre- 
hended within the works, which are carried on in the same irregular 
manner as nature has formed the insulary shore about it; but the area of 

* This genteel fellow arrived at that rank solely by his merit, of ■which he had a large share. 
He was unfortunately drowned on his passage to Ireland, long after the conclusion of the 
war, and in the prime of his life. In his profession as an engineer, he was exceedingly emi- 
nent, and an honor to his country : the service, and the army, to whom he was a shining oma- 
ment, have sustained a very considerable loss by his death. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 707 

the fort is a regular square within four bastions only, which seems to 
have been the first intention in fortifying tlie island, so that the other 
defences, to all appearance, have been occasionally added, to render the 
place more respectable, and cut off communication to Montreal, to which 
It was an excellent barrier; at the head of a number of dreadful rapids, 
and commands, in a great measure, the navigation between lake Ontario 
and Canada. The country north and south is apparently even, rich and 
capable of great improvement inhabited principally by Indians, which, 
with the uncommon fertility of the circumjacent islands, pi'oducing In- 
dian and other corn in great abundance, and the prospect of an immense 
fur trade induced the governor general to establish a strong settlement 
in this district. The batteries erected against Fort Levis consists of six 
guns each, besides mortars, though designed for a greater number, if 
necessary, and the two islands whereon they are constructed, are occu- 
pied chiefly by Col. Massey's grenadiers, with Brig. Gage's and Col. 
Amherst's corps of light infantry, who first took possession of them; and 
the remainder of the army, except Col. Haldiman's detachment, on the 
fourth point batteiy, are dispersed on other contiguous islands, in such a 
manner as to surround the fortress, and cut off the enemy's retreat, in 
case they had been inclined to abandon and retire." 



NOTE B. 

[Referred from page 109 ] 

It had been our design to enumerate some of the evidence of supersti- 
tion, as evinced in various enterprises of money seeking, by digging, 
draining the beds of streams, &c., &c., and searching for vampires, of 
which the annals of St. Lawrence county afford at least three instances. 
Our space forbids the details, revolting to humanity, and regard for the 
living, leads us to pass unnoticed these heathenish mutilations of the 
dead. 



NOTE C. 

[Referred from page 111.] 

Instead of continuing our account of St. Louis, a short space will be 
devoted to the Mohawk dialect of the Iroquois. As it exists in Canada, 
it is said to have but 11 letters, viz: A, E, H, I, K, N, O, R, S, T, W, for 
the last of which a character like the figure 8, open at the top, is used. 
It is remarkable for the combinations of which it is susceptible, and 
which arises from the fewness of the roots or primitive words. The 
natives having but few ideas, and these of the most common and familiar 
objects, when it. became necessary to speak of abstract ideas, as those of 
a religious character, the missionaries were obliged to use figurative 
terms, and comparisons couched in language suited to their capacity. 
From this cause, the speeches delivered at treaties abound in rhetorical 
figures, especially in metaphors. Hence arises a flexibility and range of 
modification in mood, tense and declension said to be much analagous, 
especially in the verb, to the Greek. The following is an instance of 
combination : 



708 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Ka o-nwei-a, signifies a boat of any kind, (hence our word canoe). 
Wa-ten-ti-a-ta, any thing ''that goes by fire." 
He-liio-kea, " on the ground." 
Ot-si-re, " five." 

ffatentiata-hetiiokea-otsiere, " a machine that runs on the ground by fire," 
i. e., a rail road. 

fFaientiata-kaonweia-otsire, " a boat that goes by fire," i. e., steam boat. 

The Algonquin language has a relation with all those of the north and 
northwest. The dialect of this spoken at St. Francois, is tlie softest and 
most musical of all. For this reason the Iroquois call the latter sken-sb- 
wa-7ie, signifying a bird that soars and warbles. This arises from the 
prevalence of letter L, instead of R. The Iroquois called the Algonquins 
m derision, Mirondacs, or " wood eateis," which term has been applied 
to the lofty chain of mountains in Essex county. Mt. Marcy, the highest 
peak, is called Ta-ha-was, " that cleaves the sky." 

The following are the numerals used in the Mohawk dialect, as given 
by Dwight, in the Transactions of the American Antiquarian Society, 
vol. ii, p. 358. 

1, Oohskott; 2, tekkehnih; 3, ohson; 4, kuhyayrelih; 5, wissk; 6, yah- 
yook; 7, chahtak; 8, sohtayhhko; 9, tihooion; 10, weeayhrlih: 11, 
oohskohyahwarrhleh ; 12, tekkehninhyahwurrhlih ; 20, toowahsun ; 30, 
ohsonnihwahsun; 100, oohskohtowenyaoweh; 1000, towenyaowwehtse- 
realahsuhn. 

We are indebted to Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, editor of tlie Documentary 
History of New York, for the following: 

The Lord's Prayer in Mohawk. 

[Ffom Davis's Translation of Book of Common Prayer, New York. 1837, y. SO.) 

Tagwaienha ne garon hiake tesiteron; Aiesaseennaien; A-onwe ne 

Our Father who heaven in dwellest ; Glorified be ihy name ; May come 

Sawenniiosera ; Tsinisarikonroten ethonaiawenne nonwentsiake, tsiniio 

Ihy kingdom ; Thy will be done earth on the, as 

ne garon hiake; Niatewenniserake tagwanataranontensek ; nok sasani- 

heaven in ; To day our bread give us ; and for. 

konrhen tsinikon gwanikonraksaton ; tsiniiot ni-i tsiongwanikonrhens 

give us our trespsisses; as we the tresjasses forgive 

nothenon ionk-hinikonraksaton ; Nok tosa asgwatgawe nothenon aiong 

those against us who trespass; And lead us not into 

gwanikonrotago ; Noktennon heren tagwariwagwiten ne gariwaksen; 

occasion of sin ; But us lead away from deeds evil ; 

Ise sawenniiosera, iah othenon tesanoronse, nok agwa saiataneragwat, 

For tis thy kingdom, power, and the glory, 

iah tegagonte etho neniotonhake. Amen. 

for ever and ever. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 711 

NOTE D. 

[Referred from page 2-I5.J 

As the name of Stephen Van Rensselaer is intimately associated 
with the early history of the purchases in Lisbon and Canton, and as the 
citizens of St. Lawrence connty are indebted to him for the early and 
efficient interest which he manifested in promoting the construction of 
roads and internal improvements, we have deemed him fully entitled 
to a brief notice in the history of the connty. 

The first ancestor of the family was De Heer Kiliaen Van Rensse- 
laer, who was originally a pearl and diamond merchant, and afterwards 
a commissioner appointed to take charge of the business of the Dutch 
West India Company, and one of its directors. He is said to have re- 
moved to New Netherlands, and acquired an extensive manorial tide to 
lands on the Hudson, in the vicinity of Albany, having previously ex- 
tinguished tlie Indian title to the lands by purchase. Stephen Van Rens- 
selaer, the late ])atroon, was born inl764, in the city of New York. At 
the age of nineteen he graduated at Cambridge University, and in 1786, 
was aj)pointed a major of infantry, and two years after .he received the 
command of a regiment. In 1790, he was elected to the^ate senate, and 
held this office five years. In 1795, he was elected by a large majority 
lieutenant governor, and was reelected in 1798, and afterwards hehl sev- 
eral important and responsible offices connected witlithe state govern- 
ment. In 1810, and subsequently, he was entrusted with responsible 
duties in relation to the preliminary measures for the construction of the 
Erie canal, and in 1812, he "was appointed by Governor Tom])kins, ma- 
jor general of tiie New York milftia, and was entrusted with the charge 
of the entire northern ami western frontiers of the state, from St. Regis 
to the Pennsylvania line. His military career ended with this campaign. 
In 1801 and in 1813, he was nominated for governor, but was in the lat- 
ter defeated by Mr. Tompkins. In 1816, he distinguished himself for 
his zeal in promoting the canals, and remained one of the canal com- 
missioners till his death. He was several tinies elected member of as- 
semi)ly and congress, and in 1819 he was appointed a regent of the univer- 
sity, which office lie held till his death. In 1821, he was a delegate to 
the convention for revising the constitution, and took a distinguished pai"t 
in the deliberations of that body. But it is chiefly for the zeal and mu- 
nificence with which Mr. Van Rensselaer engaged in promoting the 
causes of agriculture, science, Bnd,educatioi»; that his name will ever be 
venerated by the citizens of our state. In 1819, he had been successful 
in directing the attention of the legislature to the importance of fostering 
the agricultin-al interests in the state. Twenty-six county societies were 
organized in consequence of this movement, the presidents of which 
assembling in Albany in January, 1820, elected him president of the 
board of agriculture. 

This movement had unfortunately but a brief existence ; but his ef- 
forts did not cease with those of the public, and he caused to be made, 
at his own expense, an agricultural and geological survey of Albany and 
Rensselaer counties. He afterwards employed Prof Eaton to execute 
a similar survey on a general scale, of the different rock formations along 
the line of the canal, which was executed in 1822-3, and this led the way 
to the state surveys since accomplished. The results of this exploration 
be caused, like the others, to be |)ublished with illustrations at his own 
expense. In 1826, there was incorporated an institution known as the 



712 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE 

Rensselaer Institute, which he had established at Troy, and which was 
designed to impart a practical knowledge of chemistry, philosophy, nat- 
ural history, and mathematics, and has since proved eminently useful 
in confering a thorough practical knowledge of the useful sciences. A 
peculiar feature in the mode of instruction adopted at this school, deserves 
mention. For several seasons it was the custom of Professor Eaton to 
take his classes with him in canal boats, fitted up for the purpose, through 
the canal to Lake Erie, that his pupils might have the opportunity of 
studying the different rocky strata in their localities, and of collecting the 
fossils and other objects of interest that might have relation to the sub- 
jects of their study. Excursions for exercise in civil engineering, and 
the formation of collections in natural history, form a prominent feature 
of this school. 

The Rensselaer Institute was founded and liberally endowed by him, 
and while he was bearing from his own purse not less than half of its 
current expenses, caused an invitation to be given to each county in the 
state, to furnish a student selected by the county clerk for gratuitous in- 
struction, imposing as a condition that they should instruct in their own 
counties for one year on the experimental and demonstrative method. 

Mr. Van Rensselaer took an active part in the formation and support 
of the Albany Institute, an institution devoted to the promotion of science, 
and till the close of his life continued usefully employed in fostering and 
encouragaing various measures for the public good. He was especially 
fond of giving encouragement to young men of genius and talent, but 
who, from the pressure of poverty, were unable to derive those advan- 
tages] which they so eagerly desired, and who felt in all its force the 
reality of the sentiment expressed by the poet Beattie, in the following 
stanza: 

" Ah who can tell how hard it is to climh, 
The steep wliere fame's proud temple shines afar, 
Ah who can tell how many n soul sublime, 
Has felt the influence of malignant star, 
And waged with fortune on eternal war, 
Checked by the scoffs of pride, and envy's frown, 
And poverty's unconquerable bar, 
In life's low vale remote, have pined alone, 
Then dropped into the grave unnoticed and unknown." 

Some of our most illustrious men of science owe their first impulse and 
encouragement, to the kindness and the munificence of Stephen Van 
Rensselaer. In his benefactions he was unostentatious, and it is only 
from indirect sources that it is learned that in the cause of agricultural 
and educational science alone, he expended not less tiian $30,000. He 
died Jan. 26, 1839, at Albany. 

An author* who has written a sketch of his life and character, thus, 
with great justice, closes his eulogy upon him: 

" What a mild splendor do the virtues of such a life shed around the 
horizon of the totnb. Far preferable to laurels won on battle fields or 
monuments of marble. We can not euloeize his military qualifications, 
although they were excellent, for such characters have abounded in all 
ages and among all nations. We much prefer his other qualities, of 
which the world does'not afford so many shining examples; I mean h s 

* See Ho" gate's American Genealogy, p. 55. 

A discourse on the life and character of Mr. Van Rensselaer, is also published in IMunsell's 
Annals of Albany, vol. 3, pp. 281-327. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 713 

philanthropy and disinterested benevolence. He seems to have had 
great purity of character, a sound judgment, and well balenced mind. 
Entire confidence seems to have been reposed in his talents and patriot- 
ism. He died a Christian, having been admitted a member of the Re- 
fornjed Dutch church at Albany in 1787, when 23 years of age." 



NOTE E. 

[Referred from page 430.] 

We have stated that the town of Pierrepont derives its name from Mr. 
Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, Long Island. This gentleman 
was so large a proprietor of lands in these counties, and so many of its 
inhabitants have derived their titles to land from him, that his name must 
always be connected with the annals of this district, and a short sketch 
of his life, therefore, will not be uninteresting. 

He was born at New Haven, Connecticut, November 3, 1768, and was 
descended from the Rev. James Pierrepont, who was the first minister 
settled in that colony, at its establishment. It is worthy of note, that in 
1684, the town plat apportioned to him has been ever since occupied by 
the family, and is still in their possession. It never has been sold since 
it was ceded by the Aborigines. 

The immediate ancestor of the Rev. James Pierrepont, was John 
Pierrepont, of England, who belonged to the family of Holme Pierrepont, 
of Norman descent. John came to America with his younger brother 
Robert, about the year 1640, as tradition says, merely to visit the country, 
but married, and settled at Roxbury, near Boston. The name being 
French, became Anglicised, and has been spelt Pierpont, but the correct 
spelling is now resumed by this branch of the family. 

The subject of this memoir being of a very active and enterprising 
spirit, was early dissatisfied with the prospect of a professional life, and 
left college without graduating, and entered into the office of his uncle, 
Mr. Isaac Beers, to obtain a knowledge of business. His uncle was an 
importer of books. He remained with him till 1790, when he went to 
New York, and at first took an engagement in the custom house, with the 
intention of obtaining a better knowledge of commercial business. The 
next year he associated himself with Messrs. Watson and Greenleaf, and 
acted as their agent in Philadelphia, where he realized a small fortune by 
the purchase of government debt. In 1793, he entered into partnership 
with Mr. William Lefiingwell, and established in New York the firm of 
Leffingwell & Pierrepont. 

France being then in revolution, neglected agriculture, and derived its 
supplies from abroad, principally from America. Mr. Pierrepont went 
to France, to attend to the shipment of provisions. The seizures that 
were made by England so embarrassed the trade, that he abandoned it, 
and madu a voyage to India and China, acting as his own supercargo. 
On his return with a valuable cargo, his ship, named the Confederacy, 
was taken by a French privateer, and condemned and sold in France, 
contrary to our treaty stipulations and the laws of nations. He remained 
in France, making reclamations against the government, and had a fair 
prospect of recovering the value of his ship and cargo, when the United 
States made a treaty with France, by the terms of which it assumed the 



714 HISTORY OF ST. I-AWRENCE 

claims of its citi/eiis against France. To the disgrace of this country, 
tills claim, which is classed among many similar ones, under the title of 
" claims for French spoliations prior to 1800," has never yet been paid, 
though twenty-one reports in favor have been made in Congress, and 
many of tiie most distinguished and best men of the country have ad- 
mitted their justice and advocated them. It has been admitted by one of 
the greatest opj)onents of the claims, that if they could be brought before 
the supreme court, they would beyond a doubt obtain a decision in their 
favor. 

Mr. Pierrepont was in Paris during the most bloody days of the revo- 
lution, and saw Robespierre beheaded; he was also cletained in England 
by the legal steps that were necessary to obtain his insurance, part of 
which he recovered. His neutral character as an American, enabled him 
to travel without difficulty on the continent, though war prevailed. Our 
country being represented abroad by able men, as well in, as out of, the 
diplomatic circles, he enjoyed tlieir society and cemented friendships,' 
some of which lasted during life. That with Robert Fulton was one of 
these, as a testimony of which Mr. Pierrepont named a son after him, 
who died an infant. After an absence of seven years, he returned to 
New York, and in the year 1802, married Anna Maria, daughter of Wil- 
liam Constable. Wishing after his marriage to engage in some business 
of less hazard and uncertainty than foreign trade, he established a fac- 
tory for the manufacture of gin, which was attended witii great success, 
and the article wiiich he iVianufactured attained a high reputation. He 
purchased a country seat on Brooklyn Heights in 1802, which he after- 
wards made his permanent residence. He was at that time one of only 
twenty-six freeholders, who owned a territory which has since become 
covered by a city, no'w the second in this state. 

From his connection with Mr. Constable, who was a great land holder 
in this as well as other states, he had his attention drawn to lands in 
these northern counties, and purchased in 1806 the town of Pierrepont, 
and subsequently Louisville and Stockholm. He afterwards made large 
additions to his purchases from the estate of Mr. Constable and others, 
and became the owner of about half a million of acres. This extensive 
property engaged his whole attention ever afterwards, and his summers 
were devoted to visiting his lands. At his earlier visits he traveled on 
horseback, making thus the entire tour from Schenectady to Jefferson, 
St. Lawrence, and Franklin counties. His first visit having been in 
1803, he saw the country, when as yet it was almost an unbroken forest, 
and had the gratification ibr a long series of years, of seeing its gradual 
settlement and improvement, much of which, in various sections, was 
the result of his own exertions. Jn his treatment of his settlers, for mOre 
than thirty years, he was uniformly kind and lenient, and he extended 
his indulgence in the collection of their dues for a long period, very 
much to his own pecuniary inconvenience. During the four years pre- 
ceding his death, he surrendered the active care of his lands in these 
counties to his son Henry, who has since continued in charge of them. 
He died August 11, 1838, leaving a widow, who still survives him, two 
sons and eight daughters. 



AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 715 

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON MADRID. 

The following notes on Madrid were received from ]flr. E. A. Dayton, 
too late for use in their proper place, and are here inserted as interesting 
addenda to the history of that town. 

The Rutherford brothers, mentioped on page-3f J , were from Roxburgh- 
shire, Scotland, and emigrated in 1801. They werfj met in New York 
by Mr. Ogden, and induced to visit the town whire they afterwards 
settled, in a neighborhood that has since been called Rutherford's Ridge. 
The land oi-iginally settled by them is still mostly occupied by their de- 
scendants. These families were two months in removing from Pitts- 
town, N. Y., by the tedious water route of Oswego. Jesse Goss settled 
at Columbia village in 1801, and in 1823 built the first house east of the 
river at that place. It stood near the place of A. Goss's present store. 
He was the first to erect a cloth dressing and carding mill here. The 
present stone woolen factory was erected in 1835. Most of the east 
part of the village (known locally, as Brooklyn), has been built since that 
time. 

Joseph Freeman and his brothers Asa, Eiisha and Rufus were natives 
of Dalton, Mass., and removed to Madrid in 1850. The former was 
born May 7, 1773, and in 1798 removed to Johnstown, in Canada, and 
thence to Madrid, crossing on the ice, and losing by an accident his stock 
of provisions. In 1801. Cyrus Abernethy, from Vermont, settled on the 
pla're now owned hy Roswell Abernethy. The first marriage in the 

south part of the town, was Eezkiel Abernethy to Linsley. The first 

mill at Columbia village, built by Seth Roberts, was afterwards burned 
and the land and water privilege were bought by Timothy Reed, who 
built a new dam, and a saw and grist mill. The first store at this place 
was built by Buck & Meach, on the present site of the burying ground. 
In the summer of 1800 an attempt to navigate Grass river was made 
with a flat bottomed boat, but without much success, as in ascendin"' 
the loading had often to be taken out, and the empty boat dragged up 
with great labor. 

In 1808 or 9, Eli and Nathaniel Hamblin, and Wm. Castle built a 
small distillery on the river below the mill, and it was used till about 
1830. 

Samuel Allen, originally from Vermont, settled in town among the 
very first. In 1797, having ])reviously made a short sojourn in Chateau- 
gay, and been engaged with his father, brother and a man by the name 
of Whelpley, in cutting the first road from that place to the French 
Mills. He states that on the llth of March, 1797, there was but one 
family in town, which were Dutch. They lived in a hut in the present 
village of Wacidington, and every member of it were clad in garments 
of deerskin. The first death of a white known to have occurred in 
town, is said to have been that of Daniel Tuttle, who lived a short dis- 
tance above Point Iroquois on the river. The first birth among the 
white settlers, was that of Wm. L., son of Samuel Allen, Oct. 19, 1797. 
He was one of the unfortunate party at the windmill, at Prescott, ia 
Nov. 1828, and is supposed to have been killed there, as he was never 
heard of after that event. 

On the 4th of July, 1798, the first celebration of our national inde- 
pendence was held in town, on the extreme end of Point Iroquois, at 
which about 12 or 15 were present. The declaration was read by Jacob 
Redd ngton, Esq., who delivered a short oration, which was followed by 
the firing of guns, and cheering. This uproar attracted the notice of the 
Canadians, who did not know what could be the cause of the disturb- 



716 HISTORY OF ST. LAW. AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. 

ance among the Yankees, and they sent over a " flag of truce " to learn 
what might be th* matter. They were told that they would not be hurt, 
and upon this assurance returned. The exercises of the day were con- 
cluded by a ball, for which they lacked none of the requisites but music 

of some kind, and this was supplied by the voice of Mrs. A , who 

sang while the others danced, and the sport went on with as much spirit 
as if there had been a hundred fiddlers. 

Tradition relates that the first town meeting in Madrid, was held in 
the fields, the presiding ofiicer, seated on a pine stump. 

The first Associate Reformed Society, of Madrid, erected a church 
edifice in 1819, at a cost of $800. Wm. Taylor, the first pastor, re- 
mained from September, 1819, till 1837. In 1840, the Rev. John Mor- 
rison, the present pastor, succeeded. A parsonage was built eoon after 
the church was burned in 1841, and the society have since built one of 
stone. A second church was built in 1842, since which meetings have 
been held alternately in each. In December 1852, thirty-six members 
residing in north Potsdam, formed a separate organization, and are now 
erecting a church. Present number in Madrid 350. 



INDEX. 



Aboriffinal traces,lS; in Macomb, 19; Potsdam, 
21; Massena, 21; Oswegatchie, 22; Canada, 
27; paintings on St. Lawrence, 22; on Black 
lake, 26; names of places, 198. 

Academies, St. Lawrence, 53b; Gouvemeur W. 
sem., 54:1; Canton, 545; Oswegatchie, 547; 
Tranklin, 548; Fort Covington, 551; statis- 
tical tables, 552. 

Agricultural Societies, 527; statistics, 578. 

Algonquins, language of, 708. 

^mherst, (Lord) Mante's account of expedi- 
tion, 89; French account, 96; takes Fort 
Levi, 90; account given in Annual Regis- 
ter, 97; his disasters in the rapids, 93, 97. 

Assembly Districts, St. Lawrence co., 680 ; 
Franklin co., 583. 

Assistant Justices, St. Lawrence co.. 578; Frank- 
- lin CO., 581. 

AtlieruBum, Ogdensburgh, 415. 

Bangor, 478. 

Banks, 530. 

Bell of St. Rogis (see St. Regis). 

Bellmont, 481. 

BicknelviUe, 476. 

Biographical notices, of Tirens, 182; Col. Louis, 
182; WUliam Gray, 198; Thomas Williams, 
200; Russell Attwater, 584; Thomas B. 
Benedict, 584; John Boyd, 585; James 
Campbell, 585; Daniel W. Church, 585; 
Tho's J. Davis, 585; John Fine, 586; Still- 
man Foote, 586; David Ford, 589; ^lathan 
Ford, 589; Asa Hascall, 593; Louis Has- 
brouck, 594; Koswell Hopkins, 595; Hiram 
Horton, 59b; David C. Judson, 596, Kobt. 
McChesney, 599; David A. Ogden, 599; Da- 
vid Parish, 600; George Parish, 604; Hora- 
tio Powell, 605; Benjamin Raymond, 605; 
Alex'r Richaids, 609; Joseph Rosseel, 609; 
Joseph W. Smith, 610; Gurdon Smith, 611; . 
James B. Spencer, 611; Rich'd Townsend, 
611; Wm. H. Vining, 611; Henry S. Water- 
house, 612; Joseph York, 612; Silas Wright; 
613; Henry A'an Rensselaer, 711; Hezekiah 
B. Pierrepont, 713. 

Bonibay, 482. 

Boundary, National, 504. 

Brandon, 484. 

Brant, his difficulties with the St. Regis, 146; 
Gov. Clinton's letter to, 147. 

Braslier, 267. 

BrockvilU, Forsyth's descent upon, 625. 

Bucli^s Bridge, 438. 

Burke, 485. 

Canada, discovery and settlement of, 29. 

Canton, 273, 

Charlevoix, journey of 43; his account of St. 

Louis, 47. 
Chateaugay, 486. 
Chimney island (see Oraconenton, Fort Levi, 

Amherst, &c.). 
Cholera, account of, 413. 
Chrysler's field, battle of, 643; British accounts 

of, 646. 
Churches, in the different towns, see each town. 



Clerks, St. Lawrence CO., 577; Franklin cc 

581. 
ColUm, 284. , „„ --a. 

Congressional Districts, St. Lawrence CO., o»». 

members, 579; Franklin co., 58^. 
Constable, 494. 

Copperas manufacture, 282. ,,i;„ •„ 

Coromrs, St. Lawrence co., 579; Franklm co., 

Court house, St. Lawrence c«., removal of, 211; 
described, 213; enlarged, 215; Franklm co., 
219. 

Daytmi, E. A., statistics by, 345, 715. 
DeerUdd, capture of, 118, 121. 
De kalb, 286. .^. , , -,„„_ 

De la Barres's fruitless expedition to Jetterson 

CO., 40. 
De Feyster, 293. 

Dickinson, 496. • 

District Custom House, 513. 
District Attorneys, St. Lawrence co., &(». 
Duami, 497. , , „„, 

Duke of Glmccesler, armed vessel, bZl. 

Ihrl of Moira, armed vessel, 621. _ 
Hastburn, Rob't, narrative of captivity, D.S. 
Edwards, 297. , ,, i „ „f 

English jealous of the Trench, 55; plan oi 
union, 56; invade Canada under Lord Am- 
herst, 89; conquer it, 93, 97; retain Fort 
Oswegatchie, 107. 

Fine, town of, 298; memoir of John F., 586. 

Fort Covington, 498. „„ „_ „„ ^omo 

Fort Levi, buiit, 94; taken, 90, 97, 98; name 
changed, 91; its importance, 9(, (00. 

Fowler, 500. „ . „,q. „„„. 

Franklin county, erecteA, 216; act, 218, name, 
219; bounds changed, 219: record of super- « 
visors, 216; towns of, 478. 

Franklin, 505. , ,„ .„„_ 

French, the; their discoveries and early, voy- 
ages, 29; send priests among Iroquois, <iz. 
47; found Kingston, 33; found a mission at 
la Presentation, 49; title of, 52; excite the 
jealousy of English, 55; governor h^ds 
interview with Indians, 52, 59; found ^e- 
sentation, 69; are conquered by Englisn, 
93 97 J ' 

Frontenac, journal of, 33; speech to the Indi- 
ans, 37. 

FuUerviUe, 303. 

Geology, of two counties, 675; Prim^y' iom 
limestone, 676; sandstone, 677; curiom 
structure, 678; calciferous sandstone, b/», 
drift, 679; pot rock, 680; trap, 681; metelic 
veins, 681; iron mines, 682; earthquake, 
704. 

Gerteau, Louis, execution of, 336. 

Gospd and literature lots, 2Si, 247. 

Gouvemeur, 306; seminary, 541. 

Gray, Wm., biography of, 198. _„„•„„* 

Guest, Wm. E., iuquries relative to ancient 
earth works, 28; meteorical table, iw. 



718 



INDEX. 



Hailesboro, 302. 
Hammond, 313. 
Hampden, Gen., attempts to join Wilkinson, 

652. 
Harrictstmvn, 506. 
Hasbrouck Louis, first clerk, 209; his address to 

Pres. Monroe, 409. 
Helena, 269. 
Hermm, 317. 
Heuveltnn, 416. 
Hnpunsburgh, 483. 
Hopkintmi, 310. ,. 

Indian names, 198 (see St. Kegis, Seven nations, 

&c.); language, 707. 
Insurance companies, 528. 
Irish relief, 518. 
Iroquois, missions with, 32, 47, 49; their speeches 

■vyith the governor of Canada, 59; at lake 

of Two Mountains, 67; accompany Lord 

Amherst, 91. 
Isle Moyale (see Fort Levi). 

Jeffcry^s account of the French in Canada, 453. 

Johnson, Sir Wm., accompanies Lord Amherst, 
91. 

Judges, St, Lawrence co., 578; Franklin co., 581. 

Julia, armed vessel affair of, 622. 

Justices of sessions, St. Lawrence co., 578; Frank- 
lin CO., 581. 

Kingston, founding of, 32, 33. 

Knox, account of, taking Isle Royal, 705. 

La Mimine, probable locality of, 41. 

Za Galette, 41, 42, 46, 88. 

Lawrence, 325. 

La,wyers, lists of, with dates of admission, 576. 

Lead mines ( see Macomb, Rossie, Pitcairn. 

Lisbon, 328. 

Litae Ym-k, 305. 

Loan Commissioners, St. Lawrence co., 579; 

. Franklin co., 582. 
Lord's prayer, in Mohawk, 708, 
Louis, Col., biography of, 182. 
Louisville, 333. 
Lyceum, St. Lawrence co., 519. 

Macomb, 339. 

jy/adrid, 341. 

Malmie, 507. 

Marine railway, OgdonsBurgh, 667. 

3Iasons, 521. 

Massena, 347; springs, 357. 

Metem-ology, note on, 697. 

Military organizations, early, 617. 

MilUrville, 338. 

Minerals, list of, with localities, 684. 

Moira, 513. 

Monroe, President, visits Oswegatchie, 409. 

Marley, 280. 

Morristown, 359. 

Names, Indian, of places, &c., 198, 707. 

Natural caiial, 281' 

NicholviUe, 327. 

Norfolk, 362. 

Oa]c Point, 315. 

Ogdensburgh (see Oswegatchie), taken by Bri- 
tish, 627; official account of enemy, 631. 

Odd Fellows, 522. 

Oraconenttm, isle of, fortified, 94; taken, 90, 109. 

Oswegatchies, their origin, 49; speeches concern- 
ing, 56, 57l take part with the French, 59; 
not regarded as a tribe, 62; take Eastburn 
captive, 63; their number, 107, 108; are 
dispersed, 108. 

Oswegatchie, fort, 100, 107,408; attempt to take 
by provincials, 100; incident at, 101; town 
of, 367; Ford settles at, 377. 

Oswegatchie Navi{iation Co., 555. 

Paintings, Indian, 22, 26. 

Parish, David, purchases Ogdensburgh, 402; 
notice of, 600. 

Parisliville, 422. 

Patriot war. causes, 656; burning of Caroline, 
656; McKenzie addresses a meeting at Og- 
densburgh, 657, steamer Sir Robert Peel 



burnt, 6.57; the act avowed, 659; steamer 
Telegraph fired upon, 159; the windmill 
affair, 660; attempt to rescue, 666; surrend- 
er, 668; list of killed and wounded, 668; 
proposed action of supervisors; 668; visited 
in prison, 669; steamer United States fired 
upon, 671; affair with schooner Weeks, 671; 
steamer St. Lawrence fired upon, 672; list 
of patriots, 673. 

Patent, copy of a, 260. 

Pensioners, names and ages of, 1840, 572. 

Petition, of citizens of Franklin county. 654 

Picquet, founds la Presentation, 49; his title, 
52; memoirs, 66; founds lake of Two Mount- 
ains, 67; Presentation, 69; embarrassed by 
the military, 72; makes the tour of the 
lake, 74; goes to France, 77; returns, 78 
escapes from the English, 80; testimonials 
of, 81; subsequent history, 83; death. 84; 
character as held by the English, 84; by a 
French writer, 86. 

Pierrepont, 425; memoir of Hez. B. P., 

Pitcairti, 430. 

Point an, Baril, fortified, 96. 

Population,, statistics of, 571. 

Poor house, St. Lawrence co., established, 215 

Pope's Mills, 340. 

Post offices^ lists of, 574. 

Potsdam,, ¥i% academy at, 536. 

Pouchot, notice of, 705. 

Presentatimi, mission at, 49. 69, 80, 86; comer 
stone of, 17; title, 52; taken, 89, 97. 

Press, periodical, 531. 

Proclamation,-of6oY. Colden, 705. 

Putnam, Israel, Humphrey's fabulous account 
of, 98. 

Rail roads, first proposed, 556; various projects, 
557; organization of company, 560; dis- 
tances on Northern rail road, 560; height 
of stations, 561; business of, 562; Potsdam 
and Watertown rail road, 652. 

Railivay, marine, 567. 

Eaquette river, improvement, 555. 

Paquette village, 438. 

Paymondvitte, 365. 

Rechabiles, 525. 

Religious associations. Baptist, 521; Catholic, 
521; Christian, 521; Holy Apostolic (see 
Potsdam); Congregational, 521; Methodist, 
522; Presbyterian, 523; Universalist, 523. 

Rensselaer falls, 281. 

Reserves qf landlords, 261. 

Richrille. 291. 

Roads, state, 568; plank, 569. 

Rochambeau, Count, receives an Indian delega- 
tion, 190. 

Rossecl, Joseph, huUds first vessels at Ogdens- 
burgh, 403. 

Rossie, 448; furnace, 450; Scotch settlement, 
452; lead mines, 455; incursion of British 
to, 655. 

Russell, 468. 

Senators, St. Lawrence county, 580. 

/Sentinel without the countersign, 622. 

Seven Nations of Canada, 126, 127, 146. 

Sheri^ffs, St. Lawrence county, 577; Franklin 
county, 580. 

Smith's Corners, 438. 

Societies, medical, St. Lawrence county, 517; 
Franklin county, 518; benevolent, St. Law- 
rence county, 518 ; Franklin county, 518 ; 
temperance, 518. 

Somerville, 455. 

Sons of Temperance, 525. 

Southville, 477. 

Steam boats, 563; present company, 566; present 
lines, 567. 

St. Lawrence county, petition for, 204; act erects 
ing, 206; clerk's ofllce, 209; first attempt 
to divide, 210; removal of county seat, 210; 
act for, 211 ; towns of, 267. 

St. Lawrence navigation, 554. 

St. Louis, origin of, 47 ; account of, 88 ; the part 
taken in revolution, 1 83. 

St. Martin, Antoine, notice of, 100. 

St. Regis, description of, 110; origin. Ill; Tar- 
bel boys, 112; origin of name, 113; Gordon's 



INDEX 



719 



mission. 113; his feeble beginning, 114; the 
bell, 11*; legend of, 115; Mrs. Sigourney's 
poem, 120; law authorizing purchasej 121; 
Deerfield captured, 121; Gordon's mission 
resumed, 123; his successors, 124; this one 
of the Seven Nations, 127 ; treaties, 127 ; to, 
154; their condition in the war, 154; apply 
for aid from government, 155 ; affair of Col. 
Young at. 154; treaties with, 159 to 165; 
trustees of, 154, 163; distress during cold 
season, 160; Torakaron's journey to France, 
166; small pox at. 167; cholera at, 167; 
annuities, 168; difBculties with Caughna- 
wagas, 169 ; authorized to lease lands, 171 ; 
schools, 172; temperance petition of Oneidas, 
173; bands at, 175; game of ball, 176; sta- 
tistics of, 177 ; names ol places, &c., 198 ; 
Tiren's, 182; Col. Louis, 182; chiefs write 
concerning titles to Watson, 370 ; S. Ogden's 
correspondence about, 371. 

Slocl'liolm, 472. 

Superintendents nf schools, deputy, St. Lawrence 
county, 579; Franklin county, 582. 

Supervisors, see the several towns. 

Supervisors, St. Lawrence county, 215; clerks 
of, 216; Franklin county memoranda from 
records, 221. 

Surrogates, St. Lawrence county, 578; Franklin 
county, 581. 

Survey, account of first, 261. 

Tax sales, 260. 

Tdeffraphs, 563. 

litU, French, of Presentation, 52; by treaties, 
(see St. Regis); history of, 235; acts con- 
cerning, 236; advertisement of sale, 238; 
sale; 239; details of ten towns. 239, 242; 
old miUtary tract, 248 ; Massena, 251 ; Ma- 
comb's great purchase, 252; subdivisions, 
255; titles of the several townships, 258; 
islands, 258; tax sales, 260; landlords' re- 
serves, 261; spurious Indian, 367. 



Toussant island, affair at, 636. 
Town records, -see the several towns. 
Treaties, with Mohawks, 125; with the Seven 
, Nations, 127 to 146; with the St. Regis 

tribe, 159 to 165. 
Treasurers, Franklin county, 581. 
Trowbridge, Dr. A.'s, journal of expedition down 

St. Lawrence, 638; account of battle at 

Chrysler's, 647. 

«: 
Union, account of the, at Potsdam, 435. 
Union stoi-es, 526. 

Vampires, search for, 707. 
Va7i Bensselaerj Stephen, 711. 
Vessels, first built at Oswegatchie, 403. 

Waddington, 342. 

Washington, Gen., his interview with Col. Louis. 
184-187. 

War of 1812, events ,of, 617; companies sent to 
■ enforce embargo, 618; drafts, 618-620; 
alarms, 619 ; two vessels burnt, 621 ; arri- 
val of Prince Kegentj 621 ; affair of the Ju- 
lia, 622; incident with the sentinel, 622; 
arrival of Forsyth. 624; attack in October, 
625; affair at Toussant island, 624; descent 
upon Brockville, 625 ; attack upon Ogdens- 
burgh, 627 ; British account of, 631 ; letters, 
633; direct tax, 635; affairs at French Mills, 
635 ; plan of the reduction of Canada, 636. 

Wegatchie, 455; 

Weld, Isaac, extract from journal, 102. 

WestvilU, 5l5. 

Wilfiinson's expedition, 635; delays of, 637; bat- 
tle, 643; enters French Mills, 642; mortal- 
ity among troops, 649; leaves that place, 
650; followed by the enemy, 651. 

Wright, Benjamin, surveys great purchase, 



ERRATA. 

The reader is requested to make the following corrections, 

Page 16, 3d Une from bottom, for 1849 read 1749. 
" 66, last line, for debilitated read invigorated. 
" 88, IStli line from bottom, for 1957 read 1757. 

" 100, 4tli line from bottom, for solitude read solicitude. 

" 136, top line, for table read tallc. 

" 158 last line, for 18 read 1802. 

" 195, 4tli Une from bottom, for Parisl read Parish. 

198, 2nd line from top, for reserved rend preserved. 

" 236, 7th line from top, for ragged read rugged. 

243, lltli and r2tli lines from the top, erase the words '-who married a daugliter of 
Wm. Constable." 

" 244, 23d Une from top, for LeRatj read LeRoy. 
" 267, Canton was organized in 1805 instead of 1808 
" '' Pierrepont was talcen from Russell and Potsdam. 

274 6th line from top for Merriman read Herriman. 

" 280. 16th line from top, read Cinstead of (? in Mr. Page's name. 

" 311. First word shoulJ end with?? instead of M. 

" 311. 3d Une from bottom, for J/r., read J/. 
" 312. 17thline from top, for ^™od read jiraoi. 

" 316. 1st word begins with A' instead of 5. 

" 321. 5th line from top, for /io«s«read horse. 

" 324. '^o^Xma.ior effectual x%&& effected. 

" 366. 26th line from top , for Jordan read Judson. 

" 415. 21st line from bottom, for R. read C. Slade. 

" 417. nth line from top, for Judge read Jude. 

" 434. 20th Une from top, for the read 3ir. 

" 452. 22d Une from bottom, forMcZarsr read McLaren. 

" 458. 20th line from bottom, for Narsh read Mash. 

" 540. 27th line irom top, for Grey read Guy. 

^ 547. 25th and 26th Uues ; first words of these Imes transposed. 

•' 555. 5thline from top, for $5,000 read $50,000. 

" 567. 2d line from top, tov John read John I{. 
" " 9th line from top, for T. read /. 
" " r2th Une from top, for ^. Z. read/ Z. 

" 569, 23d Une from toi5, for Companies read Company. 
" " 26th Une from top, for Egbert read Egert. 

" 589. Top line, for 1783 read 1763. 
" " 3d line from top, for 1840 read 1800. 

" 593. 21st Une from top, for employment read tempennent. 

596. 18th line from bottom, after the word sheriff' erase the word and. 
" " 9th Une from bottom, for suite read site. 

" 600. 18th line from bottom, for Seuftenberg read Serif tenberg. 

" 620. 12th linefi-om bottom, for /jf«Z6ard read Hubbard. 

" 693. 10th line from bottom, for loxoclase read Loxoclase. 

" 704. 1st line, for Preferred read Referred. 



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